I need new fuel gauge for my nonsuch 30 classic . Do I need a specific gauge where do I get it. Thank you
Lloyd Robbins
NS30 1981
Isadora
Joe thank you for your response. To clarify My nonsuch is a 1981 Nonsuch classic. What do you mean by Sender is that the fuel tank . What am I looking for. Thank you. I and the boat are in Nova Scotia.
Lloyd,
I fixed the same problem on my 30U a couple of weeks ago. Your first step needs to be isolate the problem. Watch these videos to see how the system is built and how to do that. There may be several causes for the malfunction. Mine was the sender.
Troubleshooting Fuel Gauges & Fuel Senders
(7) Fuel Gauge Troubleshooting 101 - YouTube
I was able to read the part number on the sender and replace it for $80. The Nonsuch sender is the type with a hinged rod and float on the end. The simplest fix was to just reuse the old rod and float–the new one would have required customizing the rod length.
You’ll hear a comment in the video that the sender type we have is inferior to the type with a float that slides along a vertical rod. That might be, but you’ll have to know the tank depth and be sure its ohms rating is compatible with your gauge to install one of those.
Don Ringsmuth
Selkie 30U 425
Traverse City, MI
Joe thank you for your response. To clarify My nonsuch is a 1981 Nonsuch classic. What do you mean by Sender is that the fuel tank . What am I looking for. Thank you. I and the boat are in Nova Scotia.
Don
Thanks much for your post and I want to attempt to fix the fuel gauge issue as well.
Can you guide me how or where I can find the sending unit? I can only access the aft end of the tank and I can’t find a way to access the top of the tank.
If you are with to speak to me my cell is (207) 251-6165
Thanks much.
With Regards
NaotoSusanK 2 hull 291
Nonsuch 30U
Kennebunkport, ME
I replaced mine last year with a Moeller reed style sending unit and a matching Moeller gauge. The reed style is the type that a float goes up/down a vertical rod vs the type that is a float on an arm. Given the odd shape of our fuel tanks, the reed style made more sense to me. You’ll need to measure the tank depth at the sender, just unscrew the old one and measure with a stick. I believe the screw holes in the tank are of a universal size and pattern (they are not equally spaced). And take care not to over tighten or strip the threads in the tank. I also drained my tank into some jerry cans, then refiled 20 litres at a time, and recorded readings on the gauge. Because of the odd tank shape, when the gauge says half full is not really half full.
Cheers,
Don
Thank you for the guidance . Both wire tests the guage moved about 1/8th of an inch also took the fuel float out and manually raised it no difference and also tested the float in water it works. I am getting new guage tomorrow
Lloyd Robbins
Isadora Nonsuch 30 181
Chester Nova Scotia
Did you do the tests to eliminate the wiring or gauge as the problem? It probably is the sender, but your access problem goes away if not.
Don Ringsmuth
Selkie 30U 425
Traverse City, MI
Don
Thanks much for your post and I want to attempt to fix the fuel gauge issue as well.
Can you guide me how or where I can find the sending unit? I can only access the aft end of the tank and I can’t find a way to access the top of the tank.
If you are with to speak to me my cell is (207) 251-6165
Thanks much.
With Regards
NaotoSusanK 2 hull 291
Nonsuch 30U
Kennebunkport, ME
Naoto,
My '87 NS30U has a new (2020) fuel tank installed by PO on port side. The forward end of the tank is accessed by lifting out two bottom plywood pieces of storage locker at aft end of port side settee. How do you access the fuel line from engine at the tank where fuel shut off valve is located? The sender should be right next to the tank fuel line connection shut off valve. I know that on some 30U’s of the same vintage have their fuel tanks on the starboard side. Don’t know why Hinterhoeller built them differently. I ordered my new Moeller fuel sender and gauge through local marine store in Vancouver. Probably also sold on Amazon or West Marine, just Google it.
Don
Thanks much for your email. I did check the fuse at the gauge but have not check the ground.
How would you check the ground if I can’t find the sending unit? How did you access yours? Cut a hole in the starboard seat? If so how any idea where.
I think our tanks may be in different places. Mine is on the starboard side and can be reached thru the cockpit locker. Involves a belly crawl forward aided by a lounge chair mat.
Don
Thanks much for your email. I did check the fuse at the gauge but have not check the ground.
How would you check the ground if I can’t find the sending unit? How did you access yours? Cut a hole in the starboard seat? If so how any idea where.
With Regards,
Naoto Inoue
207-251-6165
Naoto,
Follow the fuel line (black hose) from the engine to the fuel tank. You may have a seperate Racor type fuel filter along the way.
The fuel line will attach to the top of your fuel tank near the deepest end of the tank. There should be a fuel line shut-off valve at this point. Next to the valve you’ll find the sending unit with some wires attached.
I really doubt that you have to cut any holes, just spend a little more time digging around.
If you don’t know where your fuel shut off valve is… you should! Every responsible boat operator should know how to shut off the fuel in case of leak or fire.
You also may want to take the opportunity to closely inspect the fuel lines for wear points, chafe, and age related cracks especially were it bends. Easy and cheap to replace, but you must use properly rated fuel line hose.
Here’s a photo of the top of my tank.
Hope that helps.
Naoto, please see my response and photo on Discourse discussion site. If you don’t know about Discourse, see link on INA web page www.nonsuch.org.
And join & register on Discourse.
Don
Don
My tank is at the same location, under starboard cockpit seat.
When I try to access it from inside of cabin there is a bulkhead which has no hole or access door.
From what you are describe on your boat there is some opening in that bulkhead? Once you belly crawled into that opening you are able to access the top of the tank? How much room is there between top of the tank to the underside of the cockpit seat? I can imagine too much.
You indicated that you were able to see the sender part number. So I am assuming that sender float was bad. Is that correct? You were actually able to take off the sender out by crawling in from the cabin from the outboard starboard side. I am not a big person but I find the prospect of entombed in such tight place trying to loosen screws then blindly align the screws to reinstall intimidating. Was there a lot of pain and suffering you experienced? I’m old and I can’t afford too many more seconds of torture. I also don’t want to put through someone else such event.
So if I am correctly assuming that you found the sender and you have an ability to measure the distance of the sender for the aft end of the tank
and distance from the hull then I can install a 6” inspection port on the seat.
If you are willing to provide me with these measurements I will be greatly appreciated and thank you in the advance.
Here is the replacement for original part I bought
Rochester Gauges 9341-R7000 (old 8341-70, 9341-7000) Sending Unit – e-Components International, Inc.
I just snapped off the float from the new unit and used the old float. I’ll give you a call about installing t.
Don
My tank is at the same location, under starboard cockpit seat.
When I try to access it from inside of cabin there is a bulkhead which has no hole or access door.
From what you are describe on your boat there is some opening in that bulkhead? Once you belly crawled into that opening you are able to access the top of the tank? How much room is there between top of the tank to the underside of the cockpit seat? I can imagine too much.
You indicated that you were able to see the sender part number. So I am assuming that sender float was bad. Is that correct? You were actually able to take off the sender out by crawling in from the cabin from the outboard starboard side. I am not a big person but I find the prospect of entombed in such tight place trying to loosen screws then blindly align the screws to reinstall intimidating. Was there a lot of pain and suffering you experienced? I’m old and I can’t afford too many more seconds of torture. I also don’t want to put through someone else such event.
So if I am correctly assuming that you found the sender and you have an ability to measure the distance of the sender for the aft end of the tank
and distance from the hull then I can install a 6” inspection port on the seat.
If you are willing to provide me with these measurements I will be greatly appreciated and thank you in the advance.
With Regards,
Naoto Inoue
207-251-6165
SusanK 2
1984 Nonsuch 30U
Hull 291
