Fuel Sending Unit - Better to use one that's short?

[Captquin]

I have a 13" deep fuel tank. How do you all feel about using a 12" fuel sending unit rather than the 13-24" adjustable one? Seems like an easy way to play it safe. Thoughts?

 

[ajgraz]

I agree. I'd rather have fuel left in the tank when the needle shows "E" than no fuel in the tank when the needle reads "1/4" (or any other non-zero amount)

When I got my newer boat recently, I found out the hard way that the sender was too long and the tank was empty with "3/8" still reading on the gage. I replaced the sender with a much shorter one (maybe a touch too short!) and now it hits "E" with 1/3 tank left...which I'm OK with.

EDIT: besides which, if your tank is plastic / poly, you're supposed to go an inch short anyway, to account for tank flex.

 

[dingbat]

The sensor should be min. 1" shorter than the inside of the tank

Wema sells" reed type" sensors in 0.5" increments from 4" to 18.5"