When I bought the boat the fuel gauge read “full” half way through the first season it still read full , hmmm … so apparently either the gauge or the sender is faulty - or both I guess.. Is there an easy way to figure out if the gauge is the problem. Is a sender easy to replace, if so, does anyone know how/where I can find a replacement? She has the original 30 gal tank.
Thanks as always for any help.
Eric Baker
NS30U 280
Elle
Old Greenwich, CT
We removed the gauge and sender years ago. Highly inaccurate given the shape of the tank.
We use engine hours to calculate fuel consumption. Start the trip with a full tank and compare the estimated consumption to the quality required to fill up.
It’s quite conservative as fuel burn idling and moving slowly around anchorages is well below the rated burn of 0. 4 gallons/hr for my Westerbeke 21
Eric;
You got some good replies. We do the same as Thor on our 26 - the fuel gauge is also not working on ours. It jumps around from “E” to “F” based on wave action. (technical - it at times goes to infinity ohms with an ohm-meter connected to the sender, should be around 30 to 240 ohms, full to empty)
If you do want to replace, they are to replace; you need to know the depth of the tank, and go to a chandlery and get another one. There are a few varieties; all seem to have the same resistance, just the mechanism, depth of tank, and of course the cost differ.
John, NS26C 046, Bath ON.
Thanks- I’m a day sailor too so it’s more of an annoyance and I too want to keep the fuel fresh
As someone mentioned, they’re very easy to check. Mine has always been accurate even after replacing the sender. Which I purchased from the local West Marine.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA