Fuel Sender

aero3113

I was putting some more fuel in both tanks and to my surprise the port tank topped off at the filler. The gauge is only reading just above half. I unplugged the sender to make sure my wires weren’t crossed. The port gauge went to empty when I unplugged it , so the wires aren’t crossed. I noticed a small hex screw on the sender, what is that for? Is it to calibrate the sender to the gauge? I now have the starboard tank at full to match port.

aero3113

I also cleaned the ground wires on top of the tank and no change.

Black_Diamond

The Faria gages leave a lot to be desired in reliability. Just saying. 

You can check the resistance at the float to see if it is good. You just need to know how many ohms at full it should read. 

aero3113

The gauge is new but that doesn’t mean it’s reading correct though.

aero3113

Would that info be on the tank placard? I forgot to look before.

Aqua_Aura

I had to check ohms on mine. There is only a few ohm ranges for senders and mine was the most common which I don't recall but if you Google it you will figure it out pretty quickly. I think I just looked up Marine fuel tank resistance or ohms maybe. 

Aqua_Aura

I found it. Faria is 33 ohms full and 240 empty

aero3113

Thank you @Aqua_Aura , I’ll check it tomorrow.

aero3113

So it looks like the sender is reading 119 ohms at full. Seems like the gauge is accurate and it’s the sender that’s faulty.

Aqua_Aura

Yep the gauge is reading half and 120 is half. Hopefully you have easy access to pull it out. 

I think you just need the correct length and the proper ohm replacement. 

aero3113

I can reach it pretty easily, I just hope the length isn’t an issue. Hopefully once it’s unscrewed I’ll be able to angle it out. Now I have to figure out and find the correct sender. I can’t remove it now since the tank is full!

aero3113

Anyone know if I’ll be able to order a sender with the info on the tank tag?

Black_Diamond

I would think so with the tank data. 

Ian

I’d get one of the vertical hall effect type instead of the lever/float.  Had no luck with one failed and a replacement and the vertical has worked well.

dalek

There is the possibility that the float arm has just swiveled slightly and is fouling on the side of the tank or the pick-up tube.

LaRea

Contact the folks at www.isspro.com to find the part number.

Dream_Inn

I agree with LaRea.  I ordered one a couple years ago from isspro with just knowing tank size and model number on that plate.

aero3113

@dalek , this is the type of sender that I have installed, no lever float to get stuck. 

aero3113

@LaRea I’ll give them a call.

aero3113

Thanks @Dream_Inn , this will save me a ton of worries.

aero3113

Will it come with the correct connector installed?

LaRea

No, they ship with a pigtail and you splice to the existing wires or connector.

aero3113

I emailed isspro, will see what they come back with.

aero3113

Isspro got back to me, they weren’t much help. They told me that the sender needs to come out so I can see the part number to give to them. Obviously I can’t do that because the tank is full..... would like to order one and have it on hand when the tank gets lower.

Dream_Inn

aero3113 said:

Isspro got back to me, they weren’t much help. They told me that the sender needs to come out so I can see the part number to give to them. Obviously I can’t do that because the tank is full..... would like to order one and have it on hand when the tank gets lower.

you should only need to know the depth of your tank.  Hmmm...I guess just wait may be best.

aero3113

Her reply back when I asked if I can just give her the measurement of the tank.

“ I definitely need the part number off of the fuel sender. The part number will tell me the ohms info, length, about the leads, etc.”

YYZRC

For sure a dumb question but why can’t you remove the sender? Is the tank “full to the brim”? 

PickleRick

If his tank is mine mine the fuel sender is at the back of the tank.  Boats are best stored with nose up just in case water gets in it will drain.

A full tank means fuel everywhere when you pull the sending until.

I keep a small 12v fuel pump just for pumping fuel out.  Get a good 20 gal worth of fuel cans, run a fuel hose out of your drain plug hole and do all your fuel pumping safely in the yard.  

When done pour her back in.  

I have a carb so its easy to tie into a fuel hose.  Your efi may give a little more headache.

On cars i have given 12v directly to the fuel pump to drain the fuel, easy to do it you can access the fuel relay.  Having a wiring diagram lets you know which prongs to jump.  Key on = fuel on.  Key off = fuel off.  

aero3113

YYZRC said:

For sure a dumb question but why can’t you remove the sender? Is the tank “full to the brim”? 

Yes, it’s full. Fuel is in the filler neck!

aero3113

I wonder if the float in the tube can stick, maybe it will free up when it gets transported to the ramp?

Aqua_Aura

It seems it being stuck is a likely scenario since it is still reading correctly as far as ohms and gauge 🤷🏽‍♂️