Plastic gas tank/guage question

[netdave]

On my recently purchased boat, the fuel guage was connected to the tank, plastic 18Gal. I can't get any reading and found that the ground wire is VERY loosely mounted on one of the transom/engine mount bolts - which there are 2 nuts (1 holding the mount tight and the second for the ground which is rusted in place so I can't tighten it.) My question is this: there are two wires to the tank, appears to be the ground and one to a center post (to the guage). Should I tighten the nut on the transom? Add a wire to the negative of the battery? Or just rewire it straight to the negative of the battery? <br /><br />I'm thinking to the battery because on the transom, it's only grounded when in the water...<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Dave

 

[OBJ]

Re: Plastic gas tank/guage question

Dave....run the second (ground wire) to one of the screws holding the sender to the top of the tank. Also, if the engine mounting bolts are that corroded, replace the. Sounds like the engine was mounted with bolts other than stainless. Stainless is the only way to go with outboards. Keep us updated.

 

[netdave]

Re: Plastic gas tank/guage question

Thanks OBJ. The transom/engine mounting bolts are stainless, it's the added (2nd) nut that was supposed to hold the tank ground down that's NOT stainless and rusted.<br /><br />So you're saying I should leave this one (tightened down of course with a SS nut) AND add a battery ground? (2 from the sender for the ground, and 1 for the sensor)<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[OBJ]

Re: Plastic gas tank/guage question

You just need a ground from the sending unit to a good battery ground. Avoid grounding to the motor.

 

[netdave]

Re: Plastic gas tank/guage question

GREAT, THANKS!!!!