[C320-list] Fuel Gauges

[Robert E. Sloat]

Ditto on Jeff's solution.  My 2002 (Hull 894) fuel gauge would not show full 
when the tank was full and if you ventured into the compartment where the 
fuel tank was you could hear that the float on the level transducer was 
tapping against either the tank wall or a baffle inside.  It took about 10 
minutes to remove the transducer and rotate it 90 degrees.  On my boat the 
clearance between the top of the tank and the top of the compartment is very 
tight requiring using a short Phillips bit and pliers to remove the 
transducer.  After that the gauge has been dead on accurate.

I still log hours and fuel addition out of prudence.

Bob Sloat
Savannah 894
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Church" <jjemail at comcast.net>
To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 10:01 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fuel Gauges


Mike,

I've had problems with my gauge. I turned the sender 90 degrees and that 
prevents it from hanging up on whatever it was hitting in the tank (the side 
of the tank or the baffle in the tank). I also bent the arm on the sender so 
that it would give a more accurate reading.

JeffC
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Stan
  To: C320-List
  Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 9:50 PM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fuel Gauges


  Hi mike,

  We are starting the seventh season (408 engine hours & 4700+ miles) with
  "Our Little Amusement" and the fuel gauge is still working fine.  My fuel
  consumption through the years averaged 0.45 to 0.6 Gal./Hr..  The range 
was
  dependant on sea conditions more so than RPM.  When the gauge reads 1/2 
full
  I start thinking about topping it off.  Keeps the fuel fresh and provides 
a
  little piece of mind.

  I would be carefull running the tank too low.  Even at 0.4 gal./Hr., 40
  hours of running time would leave only three gallons in the tank.  Kind of
  low if you are in rolling seas.  You might start to suck air and any 
debris
  on the bottom of the tank will get stirred up into less fuel leading to a
  higher concentration of debris in the fuel which will clog filters at the
  most inopertune time.

  McLube!!!  Can't say enough about it.  I find a new use for it all the
  time.

  Vibration?  Really a well balanced system has no vibration.  It's probably
  an unbalanced prop or the shaft-engine alignment or both.  2000 RPM is too
  low to cruise the engine.  You're asking for the dreaded exhaust elbow
  carbonization.

  Stan
  "Our Little Amusement" #744


  On 5/1/07, mike hunter <popotladreaming at yahoo.com> wrote:
  >
  > 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.
  >



  -- 
  Stan
  "Our Little Amusement"
  C320  #744
  N 36 03' 15"
  W 114 48' 16"
  __/)__/)__/)__/)__