Boat fuel gauge problem
I have a large under deck 80 gal Al. fuel tank that is long and is low on the keel line down the center of the boat. The tank is 12 inches deep and has a top side installed sender unit for the fuel gauge with two wires on it and a fuel gauge on the dash. The tank is never allowed to get less than 60% full (often much more) and I top it up frequently for the ballast and so there is always a large fuel reserve on the water.
Much of the time , even most of the time, the gauge works great but once in a while it stops working all together. Next time we go out it will usually work again. When it works it is perfect and never jumps around etc. It is as if it just temporarily turns itself off.
This is a system I know little about, so any advice by someone who has previous trouble shooting experience or knowledge with this problem would be appreciated. I have some basic knowledge of marine boat electrical systems but it is limited.
l assume it is either the sender unit, the gauge or a wire/connection/buss/fuse box issue. The gauge is an older electrical/mechanical unit with a dial not a digital read out but don’t know if it would have electronics/chips in it etc but don't think so. My gut tells me the most likely thing would be the sender unit but like I said it is not an area I have a lot of experience in.
I have a large under deck 80 gal Al. fuel tank that is long and is low on the keel line down the center of the boat. The tank is 12 inches deep and has a top side installed sender unit for the fuel gauge with two wires on it and a fuel gauge on the dash. The tank is never allowed to get less than 60% full (often much more) and I top it up frequently for the ballast and so there is always a large fuel reserve on the water.
Much of the time , even most of the time, the gauge works great but once in a while it stops working all together. Next time we go out it will usually work again. When it works it is perfect and never jumps around etc. It is as if it just temporarily turns itself off.
This is a system I know little about, so any advice by someone who has previous trouble shooting experience or knowledge with this problem would be appreciated. I have some basic knowledge of marine boat electrical systems but it is limited.
l assume it is either the sender unit, the gauge or a wire/connection/buss/fuse box issue. The gauge is an older electrical/mechanical unit with a dial not a digital read out but don’t know if it would have electronics/chips in it etc but don't think so. My gut tells me the most likely thing would be the sender unit but like I said it is not an area I have a lot of experience in.
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