Fuel Level Sender

Topic: Fuel Level Sender (Read 1109 times) previous topic - next topic

Fuel Level Sender

June 23, 2021, 06:15:25 pm

Back in April, my fuel gauge went erratic - going from 1/2 tank to 1/4 tank to empty, and all around. I tried to adjust the settings on the sender, but it got worse!

I called Centroid and left a message, but they never responded. I then called Foretravel parts and left a message, but they never responded.

So I was on my own!

I ordered a Moeller 035725-10, 33-240 ohm sender. (around $22.) This is the "old school" float on an arm type that we all have encountered in older boats and cars, and maybe in our hot rods. I was able to bend the rod enough for it to function, fighting several issues. The mounting surface is angled, the tank is deep,and there is a bulkhead limiting the distance that the float can swing.

I got it working, but the first fill-up apparently forced the float back and under, so is showed empty at all times. I was able to snag it with a stick and pull it under, but I messed-up the alignment. Cheap experiment, failed outcome, no regrets.

I then ordered a Geloo 5-hole, 240-33 ohm sender from Amazon. It is the 550mm length, which closely matches the length of the original. Similar design, with no float arm. Installed like the old one, except for the terminals on the wires. It is currently $49.99.

This one works great. I wanted to use it on a trip before I reported. Full is "full" which was easy to determine before the sender was installed. I estimate that "empty" will show with about 1/8 tank of fuel - fine with me!

The Centroid sender,or the current sender part supplied by Foretravel may be of better quality, I can't say. But now you have an inexpensive alternative.

Amazon.com: Boat Fuel Tank Sending Unit Fuel Gas Sender Stainless Steel Fuel...

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Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #1 – June 23, 2021, 06:27:41 pm

Thanks for posting complete info like this. This will help many in the future.
Chris

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #2 – June 23, 2021, 06:58:04 pm

Story of my life, Day late and dollar short.

Just put in the one I got from Foretravel and it works perfectly. Had to remove screws from fiberglass to get it to slide into the old hole but that actually made it easier to install in close quarters. $130 but the sunny side is I got to support the mother ship

Good Find Matt!

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #3 – June 24, 2021, 09:43:11 am

Will this sender work in a 2000 u320?
I've supported the mother ship enough.

Larry

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #4 – June 24, 2021, 10:31:08 am

Quote from: Townrestor – June 24, 2021, 09:43:11 am

Will this sender work in a 2000 u320?
I've supported the mother ship enough.

Larry

I can't say that it will. It is nearly identical in size to what was in our 1998 U320. It works on a different principle, but provides the same measured resistance that our coach requires for a reading.

Were any changes made between 1998 and 2000? Some of our forum mates might chime in. My GUESS is that it will work fine.

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #5 – June 24, 2021, 10:48:51 am

Thanks Matt. How many gallons does yours hold? If that's the same should work .

Larry

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #6 – June 24, 2021, 11:06:19 am

Actually if the HEIGHT of the tank is the same, the same sender should work.

Yes, that ASSUMES the gauge is the same (reads the same at the same ohm reading).

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #7 – June 24, 2021, 11:20:40 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – June 24, 2021, 11:06:19 am

Actually if the HEIGHT of the tank is the same, the same sender should work.

Yes, that ASSUMES the gauge is the same (reads the same at the same ohm reading).

Yes! What he said!

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #8 – June 24, 2021, 11:25:47 am

Guess I'll support the mother ship and not trial and error, to hard to change out if I get the wrong one for a hundred bucks difference. Thanks
Larry

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #9 – June 25, 2021, 03:28:46 pm

Mine was 24" on a 2000 gv320

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #10 – July 21, 2021, 12:33:25 pm

Just called to order the Centroid today. FT sold their last one yesterday and won't see another shipment for 2 weeks. Is there an alternate supplier and part number?

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #11 – July 21, 2021, 11:13:22 pm

So would the 600 mm work better?
Amazon.com: 600MM Fuel Sending Unit Boat Fuel Level Gauge Sensor Fuel Gas...

Sensor Length range: 600MM(23.62").
Scott

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Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #12 – July 22, 2021, 12:47:05 am

Quote from: dsd – July 21, 2021, 11:13:22 pm

So would the 600 mm work better?
Amazon.com: 600MM Fuel Sending Unit Boat Fuel Level Gauge Sensor Fuel Gas...

Sensor Length range: 600MM(23.62").
Scott

I THINK the longer sensor would fit, but I am not sure. There is a baffle inside the tank that is fairly close to the side. It may be open at the bottom. I did not measure the distance from the side. A longer sensor might hit the baffle.

Anyway, I guess someone can order the longer sensor, try it, and report back to us. It is so easy to return items from Amazon.

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Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #13 – July 22, 2021, 08:22:03 am

When you do the install, a few pictures and description would be appreciated.

Rich

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #14 – July 22, 2021, 09:23:41 am

Lots of questions if deviating from Centroid:

Length
Bolt pattern
Calibration (ohm related to fuel level)

Have you contacted Centroid directly to determine inventory and shipment timing?

Centroid 386-423-3574

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #15 – July 28, 2021, 11:58:17 pm

Quote from: dsd – July 21, 2021, 11:13:22 pm

So would the 600 mm work better?

So received today. Took it down to the coach and double checked operation and calibration. It is the same range and length as removed however it does not use the power wire. I dead ended it and tied to bundle. Use either wire on either wire. Just resistance. So after a dozen climbs into the coach and out I am very happy that it indicated accurately for me. Cut ring lugs off and used environmental wire crimps.
So this is were it went down hill. The mount plate has a standard pattern with two of the screws father apart to index its position. My tank was very close but I ended up having to elongate one of the holes over 10% to keep screw from cross threading. Once resolved it closed up without issue. Finally a proper reading fuel gauge. Full read full and empty reads empty as close as the original. No adjustments available. 👍👍
Scott
Amazon is in stock
Amazon.com: AODITECK Boat Fuel Tank Sending Unit Fuel Sending Unit Marine...

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Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #16 – July 29, 2021, 11:33:09 am

Nice to see you had a solution Scott. FT called me Tuesday and said the Centroids were back in stock, so I have one on the way.

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #17 – August 04, 2021, 12:39:30 pm

Got the sender installed last night. Direct swap for the existing unit which was also a Centroid. Only issue was one buggered up mounting hold, but that was fairly easily fixed. Old sender showed 3/4 tank as it sat, completely full. New one properly shows full now. One more thing checked off the list.

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #18 – August 04, 2021, 01:22:25 pm

Centroid fuel senders CAN be calibrated. Tiny screw, use very small turn increments-- like 5-10 degrees at a time while someone watches the fuel gauge. Let it settle between adjustments.

http://www.centroidproducts.com/zInstallAndCal-prog.pdf

Re: Fuel Level Sender

Reply #19 – August 04, 2021, 05:11:36 pm

Quote from: WS6_Keith – August 04, 2021, 12:39:30 pm

Old sender showed 3/4 tank as it sat, completely full. New one properly shows full now.

Make a simple mechanical tank gauge and you can check the fuel level in your tank at 3/4 full, 1/2 full and 1/4 full (if you ever run it down that far). Compare to the new sender's performance.

On some of the newer coaches you can use a straight wooden or metal yard stick to check the level. On my coach, due to the restricted access angle of the filler opening, I can't use a rigid gauging stick. I made up a little flexible tank gauging tape from a cheap cloth measuring tape (liberated from the DW's sewing kit) and a metal weight on the end. Back before I got our "pay at the pump" fuel card, I would gauge my fuel tank before I arrived at the fuel island. I could predict to within a couple gallons exactly how much fuel I would pump, and what it would cost. Made it easier to send the DW in to pay at the counter, since she knew exactly how much to pre-authorize on our credit card.

I worked 20 years in the oil field testing wells. Gauging stock tanks was a daily activity. We used a 50' metal tank gauging tape with a brass plumb bob. Since you can't see the plumb bob when it is submersed in oil, I was taught how to gently lower the tape and "feel" for the contact between the plump bob and the metal bottom of the tank. When you touch bottom, you can feel it in the tape with your fingers. You want to stop just when the weight touches bottom, so the tape remains tight with no slack. This gives you an accurate reading of the oil level in the tank.

If there was a layer of water under the oil in the stock tank, we would smear a line of Kolor Kut water finding paste on the plumb bob. It is a dark yellow color out of the tube. It turns red if it comes into contact with water. Measuring how many inches of paste turned red and converting to gallons told you how much water was in the tank. I suppose you could use the same technique to check for water in the bottom of the coach fuel tank.

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