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RobMcClain
Joined: 21 May 2012
Posts: 355
City/Region: Summerlin, NV
State or Province: NV
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: Freedom
Photos: Freedom
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 Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 3:31 pm Post subject: Fuel gauge glitch |
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Our Venture is powered by a Honda BF150 and all of the gauges at the helm station are Honda, including the fuel gauge. I then have a little toggle switch at the helm that allows me to monitor the status in the port and starboard tanks. Recently the port tank readout has stopped working. The starboard tank reads just fine, but when I switch over to port the gauge just falls down past the empty reading despite the tank having plenty of fuel in it. I have checked the wires and cleaned off the connections on the tank but to no avail. Still no reading. Also checked the wires on the back of the gauge and they are fine. Any idea what I should try next. The gauge works fine in all regards except that I can't get a port tank reading. Thanks for any thoughts...
Rob |
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Sea Wolf
Joined: 01 Nov 2003
Posts: 8650
City/Region: Redding
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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Rob-
Sounds like you've done your homework on troubleshooting.
Probably is a bad sender unit in the tank. (They ARE problematic!)
If it's not to difficult, switch the wires to the tanks and see if the problem is in the sender or the connecting wires, or even the switch!
The sending units can be replaced, you just have to be sure to get the right one and make tight connections both fuel-wise and electrically.
Unfortunately, this another one of those boat fixing adventures where you'll have to put out your cigar while performing the surgery!!! 
Good Luck, and keep us posted!
Joe.  
_________________
Sea Wolf, C-Brat #31
Lake Shasta, California
  
"Most of my money I spent on boats and women. The rest I squandered'. " -Annonymous |
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digger
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 496
City/Region: Spokane
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 22 Angler
Vessel Name: C-Sik
Photos: Snoopy-C
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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| On the tank that is not registering, put a jumper wire between the sending unit and the ground, and flip the toggle. If the sender is the problem, the gage will now read full. You can also jumper it with a screwdriver if someone toggles the switch for you. If there is still no reading, it is somewhere along the wire going to the tank, or the ground wire. |
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homerjack
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 186
City/Region: Homer
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 1988
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: 49er
Photos: 49er
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Had same issues. Bad sending unit. Even new ones not very accurate. Poorly designed/built stuff it seems. |
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Sea Wolf
Joined: 01 Nov 2003
Posts: 8650
City/Region: Redding
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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| homerjack wrote: | | Had same issues. Bad sending unit. Even new ones not very accurate. Poorly designed/built stuff it seems. |
Yes, fuel sending units are notoriously problematic!
Since the tank is remote, the sending unit would seem to need to be electrically activated, but any spark inside the tank, and Ka-Boom!
How would you engineer one???
Kinda makes you appreciate see-through tanks that don't need a gauge, no? 
Ultimate frustration: A bad sending unit in a tank under a floor or cabin with no access to change it out! 
How do I know? (Don't ask!!!)
Joe.
Fuel for your reading pleasure: Fuel Gauge (Design) |
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