Fuel gauge

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dougg

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My fuel gauge has stopped working.
What electrical tests can I do before taking out the sensor.
I've checked it has an earth/ neutral
 
Check the resistance to ground of the sender, should be between 10Ω and 180Ω depending how full the tank is assuming its European. Also ground the lead from the instrument, should read full.
 
David2452 said:
Check the resistance to ground of the sender, should be between 10Ω and 180Ω depending how full the tank is assuming its European. Also ground the lead from the instrument, should read full.
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Ive checked the resistance from the red wire to earth 0

The reading across the 2 terminals of the sensor with the wires disconected and the meter set at 200 is, as you say between 10 and 180. Ive got the sensor out and have watched the resistance go up and down as i move the float.

Ive shorted the red wire that goes to the sensor to earth and still no reading on the gauge.

Thanks.
 
dougg said:
. . . . Ive shorted the red wire that goes to the sensor to earth and still no reading on the gauge.
Click to expand...

Then you either have a broken wire from the gauge to the sensor or a faulty gauge.

If you definitely have an earth connection to the outside of the gauge, then short the sensor wire terminal at the rear of the gauge directly to the metal case of the gauge and if you get FSD (Full Scale Deflection) then the wire leading from the gauge to the tank sensor is open circuit (broken, disconnected, cut)?
 
lenseman said:
Then you either have a broken wire from the gauge to the sensor or a faulty gauge.

If you definitely have an earth connection to the outside of the gauge, then short the sensor wire terminal at the rear of the gauge directly to the metal case of the gauge and if you get FSD (Full Scale Deflection) then the wire leading from the gauge to the tank sensor is open circuit (broken, disconnected, cut)?
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Thanks.

My fuel gauge is mounted in the sheiber panel, its the same gauge that does both water tanks, the fuel, and the 3 battery banks. when I open up the panel there is a pcb over the top of the gauge.

How do I procede from there?
 
dougg said:
Thanks.

My fuel gauge is mounted in the sheiber panel, its the same gauge that does both water tanks, the fuel, and the 3 battery banks. when I open up the panel there is a pcb over the top of the gauge.

How do I procede from there?
Click to expand...

Hiya Dougg

From a distance it is almost impossible to suggest a way forward as I cannot see of have specific knowledge of the pos, PCB and wiring. I am suggesting basic test methods which should be able to be completeed by any competent electrician.

Can I suggest you open up the panel and then go look for an electrical chappy and as you have done all the 'stripping down' ask him if he would kindly just check the FSD of the gauge. ;)

You can then replace the unit, pod and all wiring, by that time knowing whether it is a replacement of gauge or a check of the wiring from gauge to tank.

If you can get an Elec-tricky man down it wont cost very much using this method, I cannot suggest anyone as, like a few other folk, there is absolutely no suggestion as to where in the World you live or berth you vessel. :(


.
 
Jeanneau use these Scheiber units and I seem to remember someone mentioning a problem on a Jeanneau forum. I seem to remember that there was a Scheiber service contact and they repaired the fault FOC. I'll see if I can find the details.

Do the other settings work? Water tanks, battery Voltages, ammeter etc. all share the same display unit. I imagine that water & fuel levels would share some of the same circuitry within the display. Water tanks on my unit have metal screws through the plastic tanks at various levels. The screws are wired to a "box" and I think that just outputs a Voltage that varies with number of screws immersed.

So the same display works out water level from a voltage level and I think that the fuel sensor is just a rheostat connecting to the same panel.

If battery Voltages, Amperages and water tank levels are still working then there's a reasonable chance that the fuel display part is OK as well. Fault might still be on the PCB of course.


UPDATE: The link below gives information about Scheiber's after-sales dept. I hope that it will be of some help.
http://www.scheiber.fr/index.php/en/services/after-sales-department.html

You will find several threads here (http://jeanneau.proboards.com/index.cgi) discussing a variety of problems with the Scheiber unit (fuel, water, voltage and current). They don't seem to be the most reliable pieces of kit and very little information available about alarm settings and other technical details.
 
Last edited:
Mistroma said:
Jeanneau use these Scheiber units and I seem to remember someone mentioning a problem on a Jeanneau forum. I seem to remember that there was a Scheiber service contact and they repaired the fault FOC. I'll see if I can find the details.

Do the other settings work? Water tanks, battery Voltages, ammeter etc. all share the same display unit. I imagine that water & fuel levels would share some of the same circuitry within the display. Water tanks on my unit have metal screws through the plastic tanks at various levels. The screws are wired to a "box" and I think that just outputs a Voltage that varies with number of screws immersed.

So the same display works out water level from a voltage level and I think that the fuel sensor is just a rheostat connecting to the same panel.

If battery Voltages, Amperages and water tank levels are still working then there's a reasonable chance that the fuel display part is OK as well. Fault might still be on the PCB of course.


UPDATE: The link below gives information about Scheiber's after-sales dept. I hope that it will be of some help.
http://www.scheiber.fr/index.php/en/services/after-sales-department.html

You will find several threads here (http://jeanneau.proboards.com/index.cgi) discussing a variety of problems with the Scheiber unit (fuel, water, voltage and current). They don't seem to be the most reliable pieces of kit and very little information available about alarm settings and other technical details.
Click to expand...

Thanks, all the other levels are displayed ok.
I'll check out the links and report back.
 
At least the display part is working if it is showing water levels, Voltage etc. Could still be tricky to track down but I'd imagine it's better than having a completely knackered unit.

I was going to fit an extra water tank and seem to remember finding a 3rd water tank input on the panel. It's a pity there's little information available on this Scheiber unit (at least I've never managed to find much). Might be worth looking for extra connections on your unit. They might have 2 fuel and 3 water tank inputs for all I know. It might help with fault finding or give a usable alternative readout if Scheiber can't help. I know it's a long-shot and probably not that likely (but then I was surprised to find 3 water tank inputs).
 
All working now.
I found a very small fuse in the line wire from the sender unit to the gauge. The fuse holder was the cause of the trouble. It didnt help that the wire changed colours inbetwee the tank and the gauge!!
Thanks for the replys.
 
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