Fuel gauge indicator

[Ted III]

My fuel gauge has not worked properly for some time and I have just used mileage to give me a rough idea of my fuel used. It would be nice to have it operate correctly. When I fill the tank the needle becomes berserk going back & forth continuously. After using some fuel it settles down but I have no comfortable feeling of what is in the tank by the gauge. Have checked all grounds and did not get any improvements. Any thoughts from the intelligent or non intelligent minds. Norm, don't bother as you don't fall in either group.

[dshogman]

Same thing happened on mine 2 years ago. WRV sent me a new sending unit - apparently the rheostat (?) on the sender stops functioning properly. Ever since installing the new unit, one half tank on the gauge equals 70 gal (+/-) when it should be 50 -55. I guess there were different sending units for different size tanks and I got the wrong one. Living with it, using Silverleaf since speedo window info is all distorted and can't be read.

[Ted III]

David, were you able to get any information from the sending unit. Manufacturer.part #, etc.?

[dgerstel]

Ted,

I will assume that you have checked the connections on the sender. If I had the problem I would take the wire off of the sender, check the gauge, ground the wire and check the gauge again. If it does not read full one way and empty the other way then I would look for problems in the wiring. From your description of the symptoms, I would guess that the problem is the sender, but I try to make sure what a problem is before I buy a part.

[dshogman]

Ted,
It was 2 years ago and I did not get any info off the unit before it was installed.

[EngineerMike]

Ted- if you are an ACA member, email Mark Harrah for the name of the mfgr, contact info, and model/part#. Don't know what level of such info survives but between Mark & Dave Frampton (who works w/Mark @ a different rv mfgr now) they should know something.

Then post your results, as I believe this is a missing link.

[Dave Fernandez]

WRV had their fuel tanks manufactured by Transfer Flow, Inc. 1444 Fortress Street, Chico, CA 95973, Telephone: (530) 893-5209 or 1-800-442-0056 http://www.transferflow.com/ Transfer Flow also supplied the Sending Unit. If you get the serial number off the tank you can call Transfer Flow they should be able to supply or provide you with the proper info for a replacement.

[EngineerMike]

Thanks Dave; I sent that info to Linda to post in the ACA Tech Library

[Ted III]

Dale, point well taken. I will check everything before I jump into the fire as usual. Mike, I did write to Mark, will give you info when I get it back. Thanks Dave I will check into the S/N and go from there

[John Neff]

I recently had a similar problem with the fuel gauge fluctuating full to empty. It stopped when I reset the Vansco. The accuracy of the gauge as to fuel in the tank has been a problem even after replacing two senting units with no change in performance. Gauge shows half full but takes over 70 gallons to fill.

[Ted III]

Mike, dave is correct on the manufactuerer of the tank. This is the answer I got back from Mark. Contact chad at transfer flow. here is his email. csale@transferflow.com he has helped out other alpine owners
Mark

[EngineerMike]

Let us know what part number on the sending unit if you order one.

[dgerstel]

1st and 2nd gauge on our 2002 and the one in this coach, not very accurate. I go by fuel used on the SilverLeaf and on VMSpc on the 2002, after compensating for gen and AquaHot use first and then fuel gauge 2nd.

[dshogman]

I agree with Dale - I use the Silverleaf. Confirmed yesterday - 1/4 tank down on the gauge = 40 gal. Then filled up with half showing on the gauge - took 70 gal.
Forget the gauge, use the Silverleaf or your miles traveled.