Gas gauge repair

[willy]

How would you guys go about diagnosing what is wrong with gas gauge, reads empty all the time. Gauge and connections look good, look brand new almost. I'm assuming it is the sender unit but I get nervous playing around with electrics around gas tanks, any advise besides don't smoke ;D

[chumbucket]

First thing you need to determine is if you have voltage going to the sender. The problem is usually a bad ground or broken connection. Is there a fuse off the buss panel? Is there a switch on the helm? All these need to be checked and traced. Can be accomplished simply by either making a 12 Volt DC test light using a 12VDC bulb and soldering a couple wire leads to the base. Or purchase a cheap voltmeter or ready-made test light. Start from the buss panel and then work your way to the switch making sure that the switch makes good contact when thrown to the on position, then on down to the sender. One of the first things I do when trouble shooting electricals is to remove the wires and clean the terminal ends with a piece of emery cloth and re-install with a dab of vasaline on the terminal end to help prevent corrosion.
A good multimeter is handy to have when working on boats. You're going to run into all sorts of electrical glitches over time when exposed to salt air. This'll get you started, then I'm sure you may come up with a couple more questions. ;)

[willy]

CB I have one already, I did not realize that a gas gauge would be on a switch in the first place, why would that be needed. I do have a couple of switches on the dash that I have not figured what they go to yet but never thought they would have any connection to a gauge

[macojoe]

I have a stick gauge, has never failed me yet!!

[willy]

Tell me more MJ, I like simple, I am simple, kinda fits you know

[macojoe]

well I have the pleasure of owning a old v20 with saddle bag tanks under the gunnle.
Just stick a old broom handle in there and I know what I have !

But to be truthful, I have no gas gauges, and I fish all the same areas all the time.
I know what my boat uses all the time.
I can tell you at the end of a trip just by how I ran and how far, how much gas I used to with in a gal or so!!

also I have 3 gas tanks, 2 tewenty's one under each gunnel and a 25 gal in the old motor well from the i/o.

so when I run out i just turn the switch and I am full again!!
This keeps me reminded of whats I have for gas all the time also.

[willy]

That is not a bad system, my old aluminum boat had a in floor tank and I had a seperate 5gallon plastic that stayed on the boat. Good system. My system now with one tank is always fill it up before I go out, period. Aint no way in H@ll I'm blowin thru 50 or is it 60 gallons in a day or two of fishing here.

[chumbucket]

Well, it's either on a switch or works right off of the ignition key switch. One or the other. That way, it will prevent battery drain when not in use.

[willy]

that makes sense, have to check tommorow which it is, I thought the gauge initially worked when I bought boat but has not worked the past two times I used the boat, obviously not switched off the ignition so it might be a secondary switch. I've got a few electrical items to address this winter :-/ got to replace the bow lights too, older style small units (small) want to put a little taller and larger led types in.

[Skools Out]

here's a post on the same issue may save you some time and questions

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Repairs;action=display;num=11192753 67;start=2#2