Hunter Ranger 245 Fuel Tank , what's in it ?

[jakeroyd]

Hunter Ranger 245 Fuel Tank , what\'s in it ?

I bought a Ranger 245 last year and am very pleased with it.
The fuel tank is a plastic moulding which is visible through a vertical slot in the panel underneathe the sink , in the heads.
The slot is about 15mm wide , I can see the tank clearly, the tank moulding even has a nicely graduated scale on it.
However , try as I might (various levels of light etc.) I can not see the fuel level at all. The fuel filler is far from straight so I can not dip the tank.
I am thinking of putting a light on top of the tank to try and light up the contents (not literally I hope !) so I can see it.
At present I calculate roughly when it's time to fill up but fear this may lead to running out of fuel on a long haul. I have plenty of reserve fuel on board so it would be a 'bleeding session' out at sea.

Any ideas or observations gratefully received :-

 

[Cloven]

Re: Hunter Ranger 245 Fuel Tank , what\'s in it ?

Know the problem - had same on a Horizon 272. I fitted an electric fuel sender & gauge. Easy to fit and wire up and solves the problem. Got the bits from ASAP.

http://www.asap-supplies.com/

If you want to go down this route, look up:

"Gauges and electrical"

then look for:

"Faria instruments by type" and then "Fuel tank level" and you can see the types available.

You will also need the sender and this is under: "Liquid Level Senders Dip Type" and you can choose the depth you need. Obviously you need to know the depth of your tank.

One point, make sure that the resistance of the sender and gauge match - you can get Euro or US spec.

I used FAR12802 euro spec gauge and euro spec sender.

Hope this helps.

 

[blackbeard]

Re: Hunter Ranger 245 Fuel Tank , what\'s in it ?

Yes, just the same problem with mine.
I can just make out the level if I shine a small torch so that the light enters the tank. Once we lose red diesel, of course, the level will be almost impossible to see and I'll have to fit a gauge I expect.
One good thing - if I run the engine gently to give 4 or 5 knots then, including marina manoeuvres, the engine uses (Yanmar 1GM in mine) about 1 litre in 2 hours. It's a 25 litre tank and I tend to fill up early just to be sure, so about 10 litres. This is mildly embarrassing especially if a big motor cruiser is filling up with hundreds of litres while you hand over £5 or so.
ETA - I like my 245 too.

 

[jakeroyd]

Re: Hunter Ranger 245 Fuel Tank , what\'s in it ?

Thanks for the advice , iwas thinking of trying a car type dipstick , ie. something long enough and flexible enough to reach the bottom of the tank. If not I will try shining a torch down the filler as you suggest. I also have the 1GM 10 inboard , it's hard work making it use much fuel !

 

[wizard]

Re: Hunter Ranger 245 Fuel Tank , what\'s in it ?

I built a 245 in 2001/02 and in the aft cabin there is a panel held by 2 screws at the top and bottom of the panel which gives you direct access to the tank and all the connectors of the fuel lines attached to it. I fitted simple screw heads to the panel so that with a single twist of the screw from vertical to horizontal the panel was released. When you shine a torch into the void the fuel level can clearly be seen in the heads compartment (as well as the tank locker.

Having said that I did think of fitting a permanant light in the locker switched from the outside but never got around to fitting it. I actually found it easier to carefully top up the tank with an assistant watching the level in the fuel locker.

After a year or so with the boat I just carefully topped up the tank after each trip and soon learnt how much fuel it used, not a lot if you have the 1GM.

 

[blackbeard]

Re: Hunter Ranger 245 Fuel Tank , what\'s in it ?

[ QUOTE ]
.... If not I will try shining a torch down the filler as you suggest. ....

[/ QUOTE ]
No, not down the filler (haven't tried that), simply into the part of the tank that's visible in the loo compartment.
Or there's a circular hatch cover in the aft side of the loo compartment which you could use, remove the hatch cover and shine the torch beam in being careful not to drop the torch.
Or remove the panel near the aft quarterberth as previously suggested.

 

[fastjedi]

Re: Hunter Ranger 245 Fuel Tank , what\'s in it ?

Depending on your build .... you can see a reasonable proportion of the tank and the fuel level through the hatch in the wet locker. It helps if you get someone to rock the boat as you are looking!