[pegasus1457]

My 1980 Pearson 32 has a mechanical fuel gauge at the top of the metal tank which is meant to be viewed through a port in the cockpit sole. The port is not optically clear, but the problem is deeper than that -- I cannot read the gauge even when I peer into the engine compartment aided by a bright light and an inspection mirror. I can see the needle but the markings are all worn off.

At the moment my fuel management system consists of topping off, recording the engine hours, and remembering to top off before too many hours have gone by.

I would like to replace this gauge this winter, probably with an electrical version. I have done some looking at suppliers on the web, but I don't find much which is claimed to be usable with diesel fuel. [I am not sure why some gauges are rated for gasoline only.]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a replacement system?

 

[Faster]

Here's a non-electrical, fairly foolproof system:

About Tank Tender

A variation of this technique is widely used in industrial level measurement - very reliable and this one has no power requirements whatsoever.

 

[pegasus1457]

Looks foolproof, but it is a lot more expensive than I had been planning to spend...

Here's a non-electrical, fairly foolproof system:

About Tank Tender

A variation of this technique is widely used in industrial level measurement - very reliable and this one has no power requirements whatsoever.

 

[Faster]

True, 'tis pricey... but a bit of tubing, a pressure gauge in the appropriate "inches watercolumn" range and it would be easily constructed yourself.

 

[deniseO30]

when you replace your tank... yes that is or should be on your list of things that must be done. Moller tanks come with a new sending unit already installed. then you can hook up a proper fuel gauge!

 

[Omatako]

I took a long look at Tank Tender but the prospect of dragging all the pipes through the nether regions of my bilges from 5 different areas was more than I could deal with.

I have been looking at automotive tank units but at this time am still struggling to find an instrument that will read the variable resistance offered by the coil. If and when I find a solution, I'll post it here.

 

[St Anna]

I had a tank tender on previous boat - stopped working effectively and therefore couldnt be trusted. I stick with engine hours - which are needed for oil/ fan belt etc anyway. If you have burnt enough diesel, you will know your fuel consumption /hour or even / distance.

 

[roline]

I installed a fuel gage system, sending unit in the tank and 2" round display in the cockpit. The boat had this system but always read Empty. I went through and replaced the system to restore functionality. The system cost at the time was around $40. 35 to 240 ohm system is standard. If you are interested, check out the link below:

9.2 fuel

It has been over 6 yrs and it is still working well. I would use engine hrs, but that would require cruising at the same burn rate. I get around 37hrs on 11 gallons, but that was at 2,800 rpm. It is time to top it off for the winter season, a little cetane stabilizer and bio additive to keep the diesel bugs out.

 

[JohnRPollard]

Pegasus,

Our boat has this Mechanical Fuel Gauge by Tempo.

When we bought the boat a number of years ago, the gauge dial was broken, but was very easily replaced. Very reliable unit.

P.S. It's available at the Sailnet store, too:

TEMPO MECHANICAL FUEL SENDER WITH GAUGE T and BW 2-TRG1175M 11-3/4 Shop.Sailnet.com - sailing resources, shopping, sail, blogs

 

[rikhall]

Pegasus

Here is the link to some documentation and pictures of my fuel system upgrade, including the Wema fuel gauge and sending unit that I installed. No float arm, a vertical float instead. I love it.

Irwin Citation 34 - Fuel System Upgrades

Rik

 

[negrini]

Tempo does great mechanical and electrical gauges; easy to install and fair prices. I had also a wood stick attached on top of tank, where I unscrew it to "read" the wet part, but not practical. Last boat I installed a pipe on very botton, and another on very top of metallic tank, then connected both through a clear hose. I could see the fuel level on-line without any action. PS: I have Tempo electrical installed as well.

 

[Martinini]

That type of gauge sounds like the ones that used to go in Hatteras boats. Goes in a a standard size hole the same size as a 55 gallon drum. You can get this sending unit from Dog River Marina In Mobile Alabama, USA they have a website. Mine with elec conversion cost $275.00

 

[pegasus1457]

Sounds like what what the doctor ordered. All I have to do is check the existing mechanical fixation to see whether this or one of the other possibilities can be adapted without a lot of fussing about.

If I can do this without removing the tank it will be a real winner.

Thanks to all who replied.

Pegasus

Here is the link to some documentation and pictures of my fuel system upgrade, including the Wema fuel gauge and sending unit that I installed. No float arm, a vertical float instead. I love it.

Irwin Citation 34 - Fuel System Upgrades

Rik

 

[GaryHLucas]

I've been considering putting together a tank level indicator by making up a plastic manifold using push-in fittings and plastic valves. One valve goes to fuel, one to holding, one to water. A port on the manifold goes to a fuel bulb from an outboard. A final port goes to a clear u-tube with water attached to a bulkhead with an adhesive scale next to it. You open the valve for the tank you want to read and squeeze the bulb until the water stops rising in the u-tube because it is bubbling out in the tank you are reading. The difference in the two water levels is the depth of liquid in the tank.

I started using this kind of manometer to measure differential pressure for air flow measurement because we kept losing the damn Helicoid gauges due to corrosion from water vapor. The u-tube manometer is bulletproof.

Gary H. Lucas

 

[JimsCAL]

The system roline describes is pretty much the standard. Simple and reliable and the parts are interchangable between manufacturers. Total cost of about $50-60. The that was original equipment on my boat ran great for 27 years until I had to replace the tank sender at a cost of $40. Can't beat that.

I installed a fuel gage system, sending unit in the tank and 2" round display in the cockpit. The boat had this system but always read Empty. I went through and replaced the system to restore functionality. The system cost at the time was around $40. 35 to 240 ohm system is standard. If you are interested, check out the link below:

9.2 fuel

It has been over 6 yrs and it is still working well. I would use engine hrs, but that would require cruising at the same burn rate. I get around 37hrs on 11 gallons, but that was at 2,800 rpm. It is time to top it off for the winter season, a little cetane stabilizer and bio additive to keep the diesel bugs out.

 

[Omatako]

I installed a fuel gage system, sending unit in the tank and 2" round display in the cockpit. The boat had this system but always read Empty. I went through and replaced the system to restore functionality. The system cost at the time was around $40. 35 to 240 ohm system is standard.

So here's a question:

I have 5 tanks, two fuel and three water. I want only one guage on my console. So. . . .

• will the tank unit shown work on a water tank as well as it does in a fuel tank and how long before it rusts away?
• Can these units with their low resistance be switched through a rotary switch to provide feeds from 5 different tank units to one console instrument?

I have, as said in my earlier post, been toying with automotive tank units and the ones that I have are predominently plastic. I was hoping that this would be a little corrosion resistant. They are also freely available from wrecking yards for a few dollars.

Any thoughts?

 

[mdbee]

Ditto on the Wema unit

It is a beautifully designed sender unit. I hated to hide it in my fuel tank

Appears to be much more durable than the cheap units found in most stores.
The cost seems very reasonable, especially after looking at the unit up close.

Pegasus

Here is the link to some documentation and pictures of my fuel system upgrade, including the Wema fuel gauge and sending unit that I installed. No float arm, a vertical float instead. I love it.

Irwin Citation 34 - Fuel System Upgrades

Rik

 

[JimsCAL]

So here's a question:

I have 5 tanks, two fuel and three water. I want only one guage on my console. So. . . .

• will the tank unit shown work on a water tank as well as it does in a fuel tank and how long before it rusts away?
• Can these units with their low resistance be switched through a rotary switch to provide feeds from 5 different tank units to one console instrument?

I have, as said in my earlier post, been toying with automotive tank units and the ones that I have are predominently plastic. I was hoping that this would be a little corrosion resistant. They are also freely available from wrecking yards for a few dollars.

Any thoughts?

The short answer is yes. As long as all the sensors are of the same standard type. Problem may be finding sensors of that will work in a water tank. The fuel tank sensors have a varible resistor that is in the tank and exposed to the fuel. Water may short these out.

 

[mdbee]

Water tank issue

Water tank shouldnt be an issue with the Wema units. Stainless, no exposed wiring.

Fuel Tank Senders, Gas Tank Senders, Water Tank Senders, Holding Tank Senders by WEMA USA, Inc.

The short answer is yes. As long as all the sensors are of the same standard type. Problem may be finding sensors of that will work in a water tank. The fuel tank sensors have a varible resistor that is in the tank and exposed to the fuel. Water may short these out.

 

[Noelex]

Another vote for the Tank tender, pricey, but very accurate and easy to install