Switched wires on the Tom Cat 255 fuel guage

[thataway]

The Tom Cat 255 has two separate fuel tanks, one for each engine, with no cross feeding or provison for cross feeding.

I have been putting less fuel in the stb tank because of venting problems, which allow fuel to spill out of the starboard fuel vent when the tank has more than 60 gallons (75 is its capacity).

This weekend I checked the fuel guages, and the stb tank seemed to have less than 1/8th tank. The port slightly less than 1/2 tank. I added 20 gallons of fuel to the starboard tank, and checked the guage--still just a little under 1/8 tank. The Port tank, now read well over half! It might be a little tight, since I had to run 20 miles to get fuel.

When I filled up, I left the stb tank less than the port--and it was just the opposite on the guages, which confirmed that when the wires were put on the switch (single pole, double throw, instentanious,) to the fuel guage they were reversed. When I put the switch on port, it was reading the Starboard tank. This is probably not significant, unless you take on less fuel in one tank, or run on one engine for some significant time. However it is an item which should be corrected.

The solution was easy, just take the top wire on the switch to the bottom spade connector and visa versa--the tanks now read properly. There is no coding or labeling on Hull #39. Tom Latham has been notified that this is a quality control issue and that the wiring needs to be labled or coded.

[BrentB]

Is the location of the stb vent causing the short fill?

[thataway]

Brent, the vent in both tanks is aft, so I don't think it is just the location in the tank. I suspect that perhaps that the small pipe which is inserted into the tank and then is welded actually goes well into the tank by an inch or so--thus allowing gas to leak out. When on the lift, the boat's stern is down by a degree or so--in the water, the cockpit floor is at a slightly less angle. I made the downward slant so that water could run out of the scuppers. I can easily shorten or change the length of the hoist cables--but have chosen not to do so. It is also a problem when filling the tank when the boat is in the water, but not when the boat is on the trailer.. (the cockpit may have a slightly foreward slant at that time).

As you might imagine, I don't want to cut the boat up to remove the tank, and am very reluctant to drill into or cut into the tank. I would have to be sure that all fuel was out, then purge the tank with an inert gas or water before doing any work on the tank....One of the problems is getting all of the gas out of the tank--you can get 98%, but it is that last 2% which is worrysome! (I currently have barrels which will hold 100 gallons at home, so it is not a problem with some place to put the fuel)--right now the fuel tank is a low priority of life......

[BrentB]

Thanks, Bob