Uncalibrated Fuel gauge - Volvo Penta.

[Momac]

I only consider the fuel gauges as an approximate guide. They stay on full a while and then start to move faster than expected.
I don't let the gauges go into the red which is probably about a quarter of a tank . If in doubt add fuel at every opportunity.

 

[bluetooth]

My targa 40 2002, 2x364 tanks and Red Zone means about 1/3 remaining.
I find it annoying knowing I've around 250L left but the red zone always causes some mental pressure!!

I changed the WEMA guage on the water tank some years ago and put a longer unit [45cm up from 40cm if I recall] to more accurately measure the water level. Works a treat and did think about doing this for both diesel guages for a better indication but haven't got round to it yet!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

My targa 40 2002, 2x364 tanks and Red Zone means about 1/3 remaining.
I find it annoying knowing I've around 250L left but the red zone always causes some mental pressure!!

I changed the WEMA guage on the water tank some years ago and put a longer unit [45cm up from 40cm if I recall] to more accurately measure the water level. Works a treat and did think about doing this for both diesel guages for a better indication but haven't got round to it yet!

Do you have the same fuel gauges as my pic?

 

[bluetooth]

Do you have the same fuel gauges as my pic?

Yep. It'll be the sender unit though. They have different lengths to match the depth of fuel tank.

My water tank WEMA unit was 6-7 cm short of the tank floor and as a result wasn't going to be accurate. I suspect it's the same with my diesel tanks and why it reads so conservatively, especially compared to car tanks.

Now I can appreciate fuel on the water is an issue but to me planning your fuel will still be unaffected by getting more accurate.

There's also the issue of any sludge in the bottom of the tanks so you don't want to take the levels all the way down.

 

[benjenbav]

Do you have the same fuel gauges as my pic?

I think you said that the tanks are not connected? If so, the simplest solution might be to wait until the next time the boat is on the hard and have each tank drained and refilled, marking the gauges with known volumes as you go.

To avoid picking up and recirculating the sludge, just don’t quite take them down to the very bottom - or, at least, don’t reuse the last bit if you do.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I think you said that the tanks are not connected? If so, the simplest solution might be to wait until the next time the boat is on the hard and have each tank drained and refilled, marking the gauges with known volumes as you go.

To avoid picking up and recirculating the sludge, just don’t quite take them down to the very bottom - or, at least, don’t reuse the last bit if you do.

That’s an idea. She’s coming out on Friday for various works. I might see if Clean Diesel Co can do this.