Fuel Sender

[uglystick]

1987 200 Osprey with original aluminum fuel tank. Tank has a plastic gauge on it that is not in its ring and registers 1/4 also boat has a dash gauge. Does anyone have a photo and information of how this plastic gauge is suppose to work ? I believe it should be attached to the tank by little plastic tabs on each side. Mine has one not attached to screw  and looks like the other is broken off.
Fuel gauge on dash points to full but I know not full. trying to figure if i need a new sender and how this should work.
Trying to get ready for spring. Just had a newer 150 Yama put on the boat. Old engine gave up.
 Any help appreciated.

[dburr]

A picture would help, something sounds a tad off with the setup. If the PO was messing with the system, all bets are off. There should/could be a three wires down there, in my case it was red, green and black. Red was the sender wire, black the sender ground and green the tank ground to the fill..

The wires were/are old enough that the red was likey another color....    

[Capt. Bob]

Yep,
A pic will help.

Mechanical gauge in tank? My 84 CCP had one. :|

Dash gauge wired to anything?

Good luck.

[uglystick]

I am really confused with this sender. I am going to take some pics & try to post them when I figure out how. Thanks, Guys

[uglystick]

OK got a few pics

[wingtime]

Yes I have seen those before.  I forget the brand.  That has a magnetic indicator capsule with a built in sender.  You can change out the capsule for a non sender type if you like.  You might get by with just replacing the sender capsule if the mechanical part in the tank is still working.  If not just get a Wema sender.

[Capt. Bob]

Here it is (scroll to the bottom).

http://www.moellermarine.com/aftermarke ... l_senders/

The Wema is listed as a "reed type" (Wema being a brand name for this style sender).

http://www.wemausa.com/sensors/level-Fu ... #.VJgZlcgA

Your dash gauge pegs because the sender is shot or your wiring/connection is bad . Changing the unit out isn't a difficult project per say but you may also encounter faulty wiring and the mounting screws on the old sender may mess with your mind. There are several threads in this forum on tackling this job. Assuming the wiring and connections are good (I wouldn't bet on it) then it appears replacing the sender on the top of the existing mechanical gauge as noted above, might be your easiest route but since we like spending other members money and time (misery always loves company) I would suggest you follow Wing's advice on replacing the entire unit with a new wema/reed type. These senders work far better than the old lever type (less bounce, better life span).

Good luck and post up a few pics of how it all comes out.

[uglystick]

Capt Bob,
Thanks you were right. Brown wire from dash gauge had a bad spot covered by  tape & other wires. I never would have found it but a few days ago I installed a 15" hatch on the front of the console so I could better access wiring and check the 3 batteries. Without the hatch it was a really difficult job requiring a contortionist and a mirror. Thanks again for the help.

[numlaar]

a +1 to what CB said. New reed style sender (and some new wiring) is the way to go!!

On a side note, I just love seeing plain ol blue automotive crimp connectors on below deck boat wiring (instead of heatshrink).

They didn't even slob the liquid electrical tape on good ;)

On the new(er) senders isn't pink the standard signal feed wire color? (could be wrong).

[uglystick]

numlaar
I got the boat that way. I have been upgrading a little at a time for the last year. Fixed the radio wiring, some lights, some dash lights, the amp gauge,
got a new windshield, added a hatch to the front of console, changed scuppers, late model engine, and other things. However I bought the boat to fish with not just leave it in the drive to work on. So boat probably won't be cherry but will be functional automotive crimps & all.

[numlaar]

numlaar
I got the boat that way. I have been upgrading a little at a time for the last year. Fixed the radio wiring, some lights, some dash lights, the amp gauge,
got a new windshield, added a hatch to the front of console, changed scuppers, late model engine, and other things. However I bought the boat to fish with not just leave it in the drive to work on. So boat probably won't be cherry but will be functional automotive crimps & all.

No worries, I completely understand... I am standing on a very thin liner in my boat, with no decking material support underneath it at all... you do what you have to hehehe. :)