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FORUMS arrow Maintenance arrow Fuel Sending Unit
Topic Title: Fuel Sending Unit
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Created On: 05/21/2012 09:26:35 AM
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05/21/2012 09:26:35 AM
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jtalberts
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Posts: 137
Joined: 11/23/2011

We have to rip up the floor above my fuel tanks to get access to a leak within the water system. While having the floor up I was even thinking of replacing the tanks. I would rather not do that at the moment, but I wanted to replace the fuel sending units as one wont read above 3/4 full and the other seems to have just failed. Will any fuel sending unit work as long as I get the depth of the tank? A friend mentioned that it had to be specific to the gauge, tank, or boat. Since all 3 of them aren't made anymore, I am not sure what I need to replace.
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05/21/2012 09:50:23 AM
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stmbtwle
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Joined: 04/22/2003

The throw of the sending unit arm has to match the depth of the tank, however in most cases they're adjustable. You MIGHT have to replace the gauge as well.

Fuel gauges are pretty simple, which means there's not much to go wrong. My guess the one that doesn't work may very well be the victim of a loose or corroded connection. The one that won't read correctly is probably a matter of adjusting the float arm (you would have to adjust the new one anyway). Probably with a bit of tinkering you can fix 'em both.

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 Willie
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05/21/2012 11:02:46 AM
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endurance
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I went through a similar exercise about two years ago. I was full of enthusiasm with the thoughts of finally having working fuel gauges. I bought the right ohm range and carefully adjusted both the depth and arm length of my new senders. They worked great - for less than a year. As I asked around to see why, it turns out that float-type senders have a short life in any boat that sits in a slip on on a buoy. Wave action, whether from wind or boat wakes, causes the float to move up and down. Unless you're on dry land or a very calm lake, that movement goes on 24-7. Over time, that wears the surfaces of the variable resistor in the sender. That usually goes to an open circuit (infinite ohms), which usually shows up on the gauge as an empty tank.

I have decided that the years of wear you put on senders in a few months makes float-type senders a bad bet for a boat that's always in the water. I bit the bullet and bought gauges and senders to change to ultrasonic senders. They are supposed to last a while since they have no moving parts. I haven't installed the new gauges yet, but those who have seem to like them. The only complaint I have heard (other than about the price) is that foam on diesel fuel causes them to read too full. Since I have a gas boat, I don't plan on having any foam. By the end of the season I should be able to tell you how they work. The only experience I have now is what doesn't work.
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06/05/2012 09:35:32 PM
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Ike
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Joined: 07/24/2006

I agree. Toss the old float on an arm type sender. Get one of the newer ones. I just bought one from WEMA for a 28 gallon tank. It requires no adjustment. You just measure the inside depth of the tank. It is a drop in replacement. It cost 57.54 (that includes a $14.00 shipping charge).

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 Ike
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07/23/2012 05:56:53 PM
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CaptRon
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Joined: 08/08/2010

My float type wasn't working and when I pulled it out, I found that it had loose wires insiide. I tightened things up and reinstalled and it works fine. Also found a terminal on a gauge that wasn't tight when I took it out, did the same with the same results.

Things aren't always as bad as you may think.

Check them out real well to find out.

-------------------------
 Capt Ron
Boat at Norris Lake Tennessee
Escape 2004 12X35 Myacht with twin 60hp Mercurys
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FORUMS : Maintenance : Fuel Sending Unit

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