Bad fuel gauge

[2kvert]

I am pretty sure that my gauge is bad. Pegged past full on or off, and even after it was removed.
How do I know if a replacement gauge is compatible?
Are the ranges the same for most boats? Is a fuel gauge just basically an ohm meter?
My boat is a 97 Rinker 216 4.3 Merc

 

[Silvertip]

If the gauge is pegged full when disconnected it is indeed toast. There are two gauges (U.S. and International) and they are not interchangeable. Both use a sender with differing resistance values (you must use an international sender with an international gauge and vs versa). Yes -- U.S. gauges are universal and require a sender with 30 - 240 ohm resistance range. If you have a 100 ohm resistor laying around, connect the gauge to +12 volts and ground, and then place the resistor across the "S" and ground terminals. If the gauge is good, it should read about 1/2 full. If it does, you have a good (but weird) gauge. If not, in the bin it goes.

 

[2kvert]

Thank you