adding a fuel gauge to aluminum gas tank

[jburn25]

I just bought a new (used) 17' aluminum flat boat that has a 12 gallon aluminum tank mounted under the center console. First off, I'm not totally convinced that the gas tank under the CC is such a great idea with all of the electrical wires etc running around it. This is beside the point (for now). Real question is what's the best way to add a fuel gauge to one of these tanks. I'd like to have a gauge on the dash of the CC, but one on the tank itself would probably be fine as well.

I've heard different opinions about using the float style or the electric pressure gauge style or something like that?

Any opinions on which type of gauge/where to get supplies/how to install would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: adding a fuel gauge to aluminum gas tank

Adding a gauge is easy, assuming your sending unit is working on the tank. I added one to my bass boat not to long back. If I remember right I used 16 gage wire. You should be able to find a gauge at your local marina. Run a wire from your ignition switch to the gauge so the gauge comes on when the switch is on. I'll half to see if I can find a diagram for ya. As long as the tank is well ventilated I wouldn't worry about where it is installed as long as it is secure.

When you get a gauge it should have "gnd" for ground, "I" for ignition, and "S" for sending unit. Purple wire from your ignition switch is the wire you need to hook to the Ignition post on the fuel gauge. Realy self explanitory. If the gauge has a light on it then you can wire it in to your running light switch so it will come on as well.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: adding a fuel gauge to aluminum gas tank

There is no "pressure type" fuel gauge. If you want a gauge on the console, it will have to be an electric type which requires that you install a sender in the tank. Most permanently installed tanks have the port for this. Here is a diagram on how to connect it.

 

[jburn25]

Re: adding a fuel gauge to aluminum gas tank

thanks for the response. I'll check with my local marine store to see about getting a gauge etc.

Installation seems pretty easy, thanks for the help!

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: adding a fuel gauge to aluminum gas tank

Thanks for posting that diagram ST I couldn't find one as easy as I thought.

Jburn you might be confusing the "pressure gauge style" with the speedometer which operates off of air. I somehow missed that earlier when reading the post.