[C320-list] Fuel Gauges

[Chris Burti]

Here is a test protocol.

*

Testing Fuel Gauges*



1. Disconnect Pink Sender Wire from Gauge, and turn power ON.
The Fuel Gauge should read ZERO Scale (< Empty)

2. Short the Gauge Sender Terminal to Ground.
The Gauge should read FULL Scale (> Full).

3. Measure resistance of Pink Sender Wire to Ground.
American Floats: 240 Ohms (Empty), 103 Ohms (½ Full), & 33 Ohms (Full)
European Floats: 10 Ohms (Empty), 95 Ohms (Half), & 180 Ohms (Full)
Automotive & other Float Switches may use other resistances such as 0 - 90
Ohm, 73 - 10 Ohm, & etc.

4. Disconnect Pink Wire from Sender on Fuel Tank.

5. Test continuity of Pink Wire.
Zero Ohms from Tank End to Gauge End - If not, repair or replace Wire.

6. Measure Resistance from Sender Terminal (on Tank) to Ground on Tank.
Should read as per (3) above - If not, replace Sender.



On 5/1/07, jonvez at comcast.net <jonvez at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> Mike,
>
> My guage works fine. I got a new one when replacing my fuel tank last year
> and I'm keeping the old one as a spare. I don't really rely on my guage--I
> simply keep track of how much fuel I use and match against engine hours.
> Over the course of several years, I know what I burn per hour pretty
> accurately (.4 gal/hour--I have an autoprop). I typically run at about
> 2200-2300 RPM's which is around 6 kts. boat speed for me. I know I don't run
> the engine at the RPM's I should be, but this is where the engine feels most
> comfortable...
>
> Also, the tank is 19 gallons, so you want to factor that in when
> calculating gallons per hour....
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon Vez
>
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: mike hunter <popotladreaming at yahoo.com>
>
> > How many of you have operational fuel gauges? I have owned 2 Catalina's
> and
> > neither of them have had gauges that work. I have heard this is common
> for all
> > boats. The manual states fuel consumption at ½ gallon per hour at 2800
> RPMs,
> > I'm rarely up this high, so I figure it is safe to go 40 hours on the
> 20-gallon
> > tank. I guess what I'm really asking is – is it worth replacing the
> sending
> > unit, gauge, etc., if it's going to only last a short while; or should I
> just
> > continue to guestimate?
> >
> > While I'm sort of on the subject of RPMs, my boat has a "sweet spot" at
> around
> > 2000 RPMs, which pushes it along at around 4.5 knots. When it gets above
> that,
> > I feel a small vibration at my feet. How much vibration is normal?
> >
> > I also have to share my joy with the results of McLube Sailkote. Before
> > Sailkote it would take everything I had to get the main sail ¾ up the
> mast and
> > the last ¼ was tough even with the winch. Now I can pull it all the way
> to the
> > top without straining. I also applied it to the shift lever and throttle
> lever
> > shafts at the pedestal and talk about smooth. Awesome product!!!
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Mike
> > #637
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
> > Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.
>



-- 
Chris Burti
Farmville, NC