Fuel Gauge

[vickyb]

Hello,

Very new to boating and I just bought an 87 Trojan. Excellent condition of the boat but some of the gauges need to be replaced. Any idea where I can get a fuel gauge for this model? It is an express cruiser.

[larryeddington]

Just a thought before I replaced the gauge, would check the tank level sensor as it moves and receives more chance for wear and error. IMO

[vickyb]

Thanks so much for the response. That sounds good. Is this something I can do myself? Checking the level sensor?

[larryeddington]

If you ground the wire to the tank it should read full. If gauge goes from empty to full by disconnecting wire then grounding , gauge should be okay.

[The Dog House]

Also, the fuel gauge needle should be below "E" when the ignition is turned off. If the needle does not move when the ignition is turned off the gauge is broken.

[g36]

Also, the fuel gauge needle should be below "E" when the ignition is turned off. If the needle does not move when the ignition is turned off the gauge is broken.

i'm sorry this is not always true, some guages maybe but not all. you cannot make this assumption for every fuel guage or any guage for that matter.

[vickyb]

Thank you all for your responses. Though it may not be true for all gauges, is it true for the fuel gauge on the 87 Trojan?

Thanks

[g36]

have you done the sending unit wiring and check as stated above? thats the easiest thing to do first. if the sending unit fails its test its a piece of cake to change out as long as you have some access to the top of the tank. you need to know the apx vertical measurement of the tank and the one purchased should be in that range the universal ones let you adjust for varying tanks, unscrew the old and install the new. you have a 27 year old boat so who knows if you have original guages in it or something else. to say what action that particular guage will take with power off is hard to say i dont have that boat, but to comment all guages will be at below E when off is not correct, all the sending unit is doing is changing resistance with the level of liquid, the guage is moving in response to that .
heres a link to a moeller sending unit maybe it will help

http://www.moellermarine.com/sites/moel ... ations.pdf

[The Dog House]

Thank you all for your responses. Though it may not be true for all gauges, is it true for the fuel gauge on the 87 Trojan?

Do you know what type (make and model) of gauges you have? Can you post a picture? That would help with your specific problem.

Faria has a gauge troubleshooting guide at faria-instruments.com/site_manuals/IS0100_D_Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf that may be helpful. They also provide a more complete repair guide at faria-instruments.com/site_manuals/IS0100_L_Warranty_Repair_guide.pdf that should help.

[vickyb]

Here is a picture of the panel

[vickyb]

Is changing of fuel senders something that is a DIY? Has anyone (who is not a marine mechanic) done it themselves?

[g36]

you can google this and many questions you may have get lots of answers to these types of things
done this on a couple of boats i've had its very much diy
heres a video on youtube shows you whats involved as long as you have access to the top of your tanks its a piece of cake
if you dont like that one theres plenty more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0CsX4Xu450