lakefloater
Cadet
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2014
- Messages
- 11
Has anyone ever installed a fuel sending unit on a
I can't due as you suggest. The 12 gallon tank is under the deck strapped in. It is very cumbersome to unstrap the tank, pull it out, look at the float, push the tank back, strap it back in. I operate my boat in the intercoastal waters so it can be busy sometimes. Plus I don't want to have to stop each time to undo everything just to glance at the fuel gauge.
Well you pull it out to fill it up . # 1 You can roughly figure out how much gas you use by keeping track of distance , time and speed you go , over time it should average out. #2 You can carry a 3 -6 gallon emergency/ spare can of gas and not worry about anything as you stated your on the intercoastal so your never far from land and that will get you back to port with no problem. #3 You can try to put a sending unit on it with enough wire so when your moving it around your not yanking it off. That would be my last resort but with option #2 I would not bother.
I like this idea.. I do still have the 6 gallon tank it came with. I may try to hook it up and then just have a cut over switch. I am sure I can find out how to hook it up, unless you have a video to share?
It is a 12 gallon tank.. so no, I don't pull it out to fill it up. It is long and flat. It is to difficult to do that each time. It becomes heavy. It isn't like there is a handle on it to carry. I do have a book and do keep track of it, but would be much easier to just glance at a gauge. I also have a 2.5 gallon emergency gas can that I keep also.. but again, was just hoping to avoid all of that if I could do something better. One idea I had was since the tank is under the deck and strapped in, would be to cut a hole in the top of the deck right over the part on where the gas cap is, then put a "port" there. Then all I have to do it unscrew the port and look at the float. Would make it easier to fill the tank each time also and not have to unstrap it.
There's a reason it's called a "Topside" fuel tank. It doesn't vent to a through hull (overboard). It vents through the cap, which means it is venting into the bilge. It's not designed to be used in the manner you're using it.
Probably easier to just buy another fuel line , hook it up to the 6 gallon tank and leave the other end next to the engine connection. Switch over when you run out of gas instead of dealing with fuel lines below deck. As mentioned by Shrew I would be looking into the venting of that 12 gallon tank . Was that a factory install or the PO did it ?I like this idea.. I do still have the 6 gallon tank it came with. I may try to hook it up and then just have a cut over switch. I am sure I can find out how to hook it up, unless you have a video to share?
This is how the tank is setup. Except that back port on top of the deck to the left doesn't exist on my boat.
Do you have a link to the switch you purchased?Well that's a whole nuther story. I have 2 tanks just like that in my Whaler, and the storage positions look about the same. My straps have a simple hook, so connecting and disconnecting is a breeze. I have both tanks permanently connected and switch with a simple marine 4 position switch that I bought on IBoats.
On the bottom end of the tank there is a recessed area. Isn't that a handle of sorts? Stick 4 fingers in there and the tank will slide right out. You have to remove it when you fill it anyway. If that doesn't work for you, put a strap around the middle horizontally and use that as a handle.
Or, as stated before, cut a hole above the gauge and filler and leave the tank in place. Fit the hole with a deck plate. The plate cover is waterproof and its on and off in a couple seconds.
Regardless, I see no ventilation problems here.
I bought it on EBay since IBoats didn't carry it. Moeller markets them. Brass 3 or 4-way valve. You'll plug the ports you don't need. Fittings over the counter at Home Depot. Buy bulk hose to match what you have. You can mount it sideways on the combing just above the tank
