variable resister, fuel sender unit....

[Franki]

Hi guys,,<br /><br />reading old posts, I saw a schematic post that a potentiometer can be used to simulate a fuel sender unit...<br /><br />I have caps like this in my tanks,,<br /><br />

<br /><br />and I'd like to convert them to electric sender units..<br /><br />could the top plastic screen be taken out and a potentiometer/variable resistor be attached to the needle pinion????, (which is a rotary style, see pic above)<br /><br />I just found a kit on westmarine that seems to do this,, but its 43USD, which is rather expensive for what is essentially a small coil.<br /> electric conversion sender unit <br /><br />Also, what resistance range potentiometer should I get for a fuel sender,, its for a teleflex guage...<br /><br />also should I be worried about current/fire danger here how much current does a fuel sender use?? <br /><br />any tips would be fantastic..<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Frank

 

[Franki]

Re: variable resister, fuel sender unit....

^ bump ^

 

[Franki]

Re: variable resister, fuel sender unit....

and again ^

 

[petryshyn]

Re: variable resister, fuel sender unit....

a float and spiral gear may have a hard time twisting a potentiometer......<br /><br />Empty = 240 ohms, 1/2 = 103 ohms, Full = 33 ohms.<br />(Not all Fuel Senders have the same resistance range. Marine units, either boat-builder installed or purchased at marine stores, are 240-33 ohms. Non-marine units may be 0-90 ohms, 73-10 ohms or some other value.)

 

[Franki]

Re: variable resister, fuel sender unit....

Thankyou Mr Schematic..<br /><br />I guess if the float can't handle the load, I can always beef up the float.. but from feeling the force the needle turns with, I am guessing that won't be a problem...<br /><br />I don't need it to be 100% accurate.. but if it can show empty when its empty... and go up from there I'll be happy with that.. not all that worried if the ratio's are correct..<br /><br />I think the biggest problem will be finding a potentiometer that has its full range of movement at roughly 300 degree's or so.<br />(which is about what the needle range on the guage is.)<br /><br />thanks again for your help.. I can't believe that no one has asked this before, there must be tons of these tanks out there that people want an external guage on...<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Frank

 

[petryshyn]

Re: variable resister, fuel sender unit....

You might consider experimenting with a rheostat from a magnetically linked propane tank fuel level sender. They require much less rotating torque. They are also speced to work with most auto gauges.....

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: variable resister, fuel sender unit....

Of course they'll stick you with shipping but....<br /><br /> http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/TEM/TEM420110.html <br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/bypage3.asp?page=403

 

[Franki]

Re: variable resister, fuel sender unit....

Thanks again... <br /><br />Schematic, where would I find a reostat like the one you mention?? <br /><br />Yepblaze, thanks, I had found a similiar thing on westmarine, but for the price, and the uncertainty that it would fit, I decided that its probably not worth shipping one over..<br /><br />I have also emailed the tank manufacturer (Scepter) and the cap manufacturer, (Kelch) to see if an adaptor or replacement cap is available..<br /><br />who knows, I don't care how I do it, I am just getting sick of having to crawl under my OB well to check the fuel levels.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[petryshyn]

Re: variable resister, fuel sender unit....

check your local propane conversion shop. they put them in all the time.....

 

[Franki]

Re: variable resister, fuel sender unit....

TA, <br />I'll ring around.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank