Faulty Fuel Guage

[SC RV'er]

I have an '08 36' with stated 115 gallon fuel tank. Have suspected fuel guage is off and recently filled up at just under 3/4 full. Took 60 gallons. Obviously off but don't know how to go about either calibrating or repairing what ever is wrong. Ideas anyone?

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC RV'er Ideas anyone?

SC RV'er, Might just be the way the sender is calibrated. I'm sure you'll get used to it in time. My tank will take just about 20 gallons as soon as the needle comes off of the full peg. It'll almost take 35 - 40 gallons if it's on 3/4s of a tank.

Consider joining us in Ocean Lakes this October!

[EngineerMike]

If your fuel gauge does the self check on start-up (goes to zero, half scale, then full) it is working according to the signal the analog sending unit is giving.

I put a lot in @ 3/4 "full" tho I'm guessing less than 60 gal. I'm also guessing WRV was using the cheapest generic sender available. You can buy a new sending unit and "calibrate" it yourself. The spare I have has the float on one rod, and another rod on the actual sending head. To calibrate it you attach the float (trimming rod as needed), and do any bending of the rod that would be needed to go to tank bottom & top. Then pop it in. It'd be helpful to take the original out first to ascertain direction, etc.

There is a hole in the frame by the LF tire where you can access the sender on top of the tank. Take a flashlight, and tell the wife when to expect you back in case she has to call out a search party.

[takepride]

I changed mine out a couple years ago because it was bouncing full to empty and back. The new one doesn't do that, but is 50 gallons shy of full at the 3/4 mark.

I'd be interested to see if anyone has/could photo-document eMike's suggested improvement. Though I track mileage for refill points, I prefer to know more than less.

[OldForester]

Ours has always taken about 65 - 70 gallons at the 1/2 full mark.

[takepride]

That's about the same for my 1/2 full mark

[Old Scout]

There is a pretty good thread on this topic--some folks have been able to replace/upgrade the sender with reasonable success. Had the sender replaced under warranty many years ago with little improvement. My experience--top half of tank is very inaccurate; next quarter tank is better, last quarter tank is pretty good; and empty is exact--dont ask me how I know this. So track your mileage, remember to deducted for genset use and enjoy the scenery. My rule of thumb--I drive in 500 mile increments or the next Flying J [now "Flying Pilot???"]; which ever comes first.

[dshogman]

I agree with Old Forester - 65-70 gallons when gauge reads 1/2 full. I also follow the 4-500 mile fill-up rule, never more.

[Jim A]

I also agree in the 500 mile, Flying J rule. Mine does not budge off of the full mark for over 200 miles, and typically doesn't drop to the 3/4 full mark until around 350 miles. Then drops quite a bit quicker. But it takes about 75 gallons at the 1/4 mark, not at 1/2. I have never put in more than 80 gallons at a stop, and rarely over 60.

But at least it is pretty consistent, so I can trust it.

I don't know where it runs out, and have no intention of finding out.

[SC RV'er]

Thanks everyone for the info and advice. I agree with the fill-up @ 400 miles or so for generator and aqua-hot issues. Just wish tanks were at least 150 gallons preventing daily fuel stops. Previously had 5th wheel, F550 with 60 gallons inboard and 150 gallon tank on bed. 1800 mile range. I really miss that. Anyway thanks again