Fuel Gauge Questions

[SoLoG]

Fellow boaters,<br /><br />I am interested in fuel gauge needs/demands for boats with permanently installed fuel tanks. Your feedback would be much appreciated. Please take a moment to answer the following questions. <br /> <br />1. How important is it that you know exactly what is in your fuel tank?<br /> <br />2. What size boat do you have?<br /><br />3. Do you typically use your boat on the ocean, large lake or small lake?<br /> <br />4. Is your present fuel gauge reliable? Accurate?<br /><br />Thank you for your time in advance. Look forward to your responses!<br /><br />Christine

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

Hi Christine, welcome to iboats!!<br /><br />1. CRITICAL<br /><br />2. 45ft<br /><br />3. Large Lake<br /><br />4. Extremely (a stick with notches in it).<br /><br />Aldo

 

[SoLoG]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

Thank you for your feedback dunaruna. May I ask why you don't use the installed gauge?<br /> <br />Christine

 

[trebor0301]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

Christine!Everybody knows that if you put too much trust in your "installed" fuel gauge your gonna be sorry.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

Because, at best, they are a guide only.<br /><br />I don't have an installed gauge/sender.<br />Sometimes the simpliest things work the best. My stick won't bounce around with wave movements, it doesn't turn off when the ignition is off, it power consumption is minimal and I've got a little hook on the end for dehooking fish that have swallowed the lure .<br /><br />I should patent it!

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

SoLog, knowing how much fuel you have is kinda important. That being said, how you do that is up to you as long as you understand and trust your own method.<br /><br />My fuel gage reads 1/4 high, but to me it was only inaccurate for a couple of trips. After that, I knew how gage readings correspond to actual fuel level. I religiously keep fuel logs and can tell you what the tank will take almost to the gallon based on mileage and usage. I also have a fuel flow meter which displays gallons used ...<br /><br />As far as a stick gage goes, I guess it works for those who don't mind stopping to open the tank every time they want to check fuel levels. I'm just as happy with more conventional methods. <br /><br />I run a DF140 with 52 gal tank on the ocean and inshore areas of the Southeast. At an honest average of 4.7 mpg, it would be hard to run out, but I guess I'm old fashioned and like to be able to see for myself.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

I have an 80 gallon tank, and a 50HPefi 4 stroke I only check it once or twice a month.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

I replaced mine last year. I have a 24 gal tank. I put 12 gal in and calibrated the sender to register 1/2 tank. I'm sure its not 100% accurate but when it get to just below 1/4, I know I can add 18 gal. Thats close enough for me to keep from running out of gas.

 

[SoLoG]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

Thank you everyone for the information you have provided. The company I work for does underground storage tank monitoring. While the product this company markets cannot be used in the marine industry, I am wondering if there is a need or demand to develop a product along these lines. Do you concur?<br /><br />I am an avid boater. It has long been my belief that there needs to be reliable and accurate technology for fuel monitoring at an affordable price. I personally have run out of gas because the gauge wasn't accurate. <br /><br />I will continue to check in for further posts. Information you provide will follow the rules of this board and there will be no attempt to solicit any of you for business - should we go in that direction.<br /><br />Thanks again,<br />Christine

 

[swist]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

All boaters have to have a secondary means of predicting fuel remaining. Whether it is knowing the fuel draw of the motor at various speeds and doing the math in your head, or opting for a flow-scan guage or something higher tech.<br /><br />Marine fuel gauges are not known for accuracy or reliability. The boats bounce around too much, the sender can hang up on the tanks sides or on baffles, etc, etc. <br /><br />I have a 17' Montauk with the factory mechanical guages in the 2 6 gal tanks - I wouldn't trust either of them. I am getting a Pate tank with a sight glass along the side - can't go wrong with that one.<br /><br />I boat on the Atlantic on the Maine Coast - running out of fuel, with low water and air temperatures, rough seas, and rapidly changing weather can be more than an inconvenience. Fuel management is pretty critical.

 

[whiteman]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

I fish in a relatively remote area of Nth Qld and I really need to know how much fuel I've got and just as importantly, how much I'm using! I have a Navman fuel flow gauge which gives me an instant readout of the flow, +-5%. This way I can adjust trim and if I'm heading out to the reef in sloppy conditions, I can make a judgement as to whether I'll have enough in the tank for a safe trip. For example, in good conditions I expect 1nm/litre. This can drop 50% in rough conditions which makes an awfully big difference to my range. <br /><br />The standard Yamaha fuel gauge is indicative only.

 

[trebor0301]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

If you can take the radar technology you use in your business and make it affordable to the average boater then I think people would use them.

 

[SoLoG]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

I continue to check this thread for responses. Interesting feedback provided thus far. Many, many thanks. <br /><br />Good point trebor - what do you think would be a reasonable range in pricing for an accurate and reliable fuel gauge?

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

I have a guage, and half the time it is useless. My tank is an above-deck mounted Poly tank, and is see-through. I marked the side of the tank in 1 gallon increments, and when I want to know how much gas I have, I look over my shoulder at the tank. Works just fine...

 

[trebor0301]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

My tank is aluminium and under the floor.I can't wait for the first time I run her dry.LOL.I have been carful about keeping it filled up but I know a guy that had his boat break down on him.After many different Ideas on what was wrong and many $$$ spent on trying to fix his boat himself finally gave in an let a mechanic take a look.As you probably allready guessed the boat was run out of gas.The best part was when we were having a feew beers and talking about it he tried to convince me that it was good that he put all that money into new parts."He feels better about being out there on the water now".I think I almost pee'd my pants listening to him not only trying to bull**** me but himself as well.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Fuel Gauge Questions

I run a 23' CC with a built-in 122 gal tank. My gage is fairly accurate and I will add fuel when I get down to a 1/4 tank. I have a gage on the console and a separate sight gage on top of the sending unit if I want to verify what the dash is reading.