[C320-list] starboard shelf over fuel tank

[Pat Ireland]

Jim

Just did the replacement on 801.  Jeff's tips were quite helpful.   Chris'
info on testing helped prove he need to replace.    My gage is somewhat
obstructed and needed a shorter screw driver for one screw.  A box end
wrench with a short phillips driver bit worked.  Needed some duct tape to
hold the bit in the wrench.

The failure mode on mine was same as you describe.  3/4 tank and no change
even when full.

Used a 4" to 12" float and shortened to about 9".     Note do not bend
float arm to shorten.  Slide the float up and cut the arm with wire cutter
pliers.  See instructions on kit.

Good luck  Pat, 801


On Fri, Aug 29, 2014 at 9:02 AM, Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:

> Hi Jim,
>
> The sender can be removed without taking the shelf out if you can get into
> the aft locker ok.
>
> Few Tips:
>
> * MARK the orientation of the fuel sender plate with a Sharpie to save
> yourself time  reinstalling it.  The plate has 5 or 6 screws but they'll
> only all line up in one orientation.  Otherwise, you'll get a few of them
> in
> but the rest won't line up and you'll have to start over.
>
> * I used a normal socket wrench with a Phillips screwdriver socket which
> made it easy to take the screws out and put back in.  Only a short
> screwdriver will fit between the tank and the shelf.
>
> * It's possible that the float is not floating anymore, or that you just
> need to move the sender float arm back and forth a few times to get it all
> working again.
>
> * The sender is grounded through the tank so if you want to test it when
> it's out of the tank, make sure you have a good connection between the
> plate
> and the tank.
>
> * Double check that the tank Ground screw is not corroded and that the
> sender wire connection is clean.
>
> -Jeff Hare
> #809
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
> Of jim brown
> Sent: Friday, August 29, 2014 10:03 AM
> To: Catalina List
> Subject: [C320-list] starboard shelf over fuel tank
>
> I suspect that my fuel gauge sender is faulty since it seems to be stuck
> between 3/4 and full. It does zero to empty when there is no power. I do
> plan to review the test procedure on the website. It does look like the
> sender can't be removed until the shelf is removed. Is that correct? In
> addition it look like the sensor might be blocked by the block that holds
> up
> the forward end of the shelf.  And finally how do you remove the shelf
> (looks like getting at the aft end will be a bear)?
>
> Jim Brown
>
>