1973 Browning Marine
Regular Contributor
Alright, I've got to be honest so here it goes. Fuel gauge took a dump after just installing two new batteries. It was shady at the end of last season so I had a feeling it was going to let me down sooner than later. Looked for about a week online for the exact replacement Faria gauge. No luck, so last Sunday, I went to Pep Boys and bought a fuel gauge and made an attempt to install. (I know it's a no no!) Incoming! lmao! Anyway, you guessed it! Doesn't work because of different ohms range of resistance. Hooked everything up correctly and gauge read (E). Double checked everything with a led test light at the sender pole at back of gauge and the main ground holding it on the entire time. Guess what? It read accurately. The second I removed it, gauge went back to (E). Did the same on the tank side and the gauge read accurately as well but only if I held the led light to both poles on tank. I guess whatever resistance that was created by the draw of the led light was just enough to offset to make compatible with sender in tank. I also checked the sender unit in tank thinking that could very well be the culprit because I wasn't absolutely sure the old gauge was bad until I removed it and put 12 volt to it. The old gauge did nothing instead of pegging to (F) as it should. So, I was back to square one. Went back online and after about an hour and a half, found the exact gauge brand new somewhere on ebay. Ordered it and just got it today. Still have to install when I get a chance this week. Anyway, I kind of knew from the start that the auto gauge was a fail but guess I had to see and learn for myself. At this point , I am thinking that the sender in tank is working as it should.
(I hope) Again, I removed tank sender and float and all looked well. The Faria marine gauge uses an ohms range of something like 240-30 ohms resistance. Not sure how the ohms works on the auto gauge that I spent $20.00 on like a dummy! lol Oh well, chalk it up for experience I guess. I just hope the gauge is the problem and not the sender. From the information I have given you men I was hoping that you guys might be able to diagnose or lead me in the right direction on this. One last thing all wiring and connectors are as clean as a whistle and as previously mentioned everything was working until spring startup. Also, I am getting 12 volt to gauge from (I) switch and there is an excellent ground. Thanks, Tom
(I hope) Again, I removed tank sender and float and all looked well. The Faria marine gauge uses an ohms range of something like 240-30 ohms resistance. Not sure how the ohms works on the auto gauge that I spent $20.00 on like a dummy! lol Oh well, chalk it up for experience I guess. I just hope the gauge is the problem and not the sender. From the information I have given you men I was hoping that you guys might be able to diagnose or lead me in the right direction on this. One last thing all wiring and connectors are as clean as a whistle and as previously mentioned everything was working until spring startup. Also, I am getting 12 volt to gauge from (I) switch and there is an excellent ground. Thanks, Tom