[Moderator's note: I included the information added in a second post (which is now marked in Italic type) with the initial post and deleted the second post in order that the initial post might be more clearly stated for readers.]
The fuel tank level sensor on the 166-gallon fuel tank on my 1998 OUTRAGE 23 has failed and is leaking gasoline vapor.
The tank was made by Florida Marine tanks. [Added to the initial post].
The failure of the existing sensor has occurred in the pot metal body with the five mounting holes.
The sender may be aluminum but it is cracking apart.
The OEM is Rochester [brand fuel tank level sender] and I'm working with E -components on a replacement.
Q1: between the OEM Rochester sensor (available from Ecomponents.com) or a Moeller sensor available from the local Boston Whaler dealer, which should I choose?
The cost of the Moeller sensor and the OEM Rochester sensor are similar. The Moeller sensor seems to be "cheaper" made.
The San Francisco bay area Boston Whaler dealer sells Moeller fuel senders, and they are cheaper cost and more universal. The Moeller fuel stuff is more universal and is less cost so my guess is that is why the Whaler dealer has gone that way. The exact Moeller sensor I have yet to look for as the Boston Whaler dealer does not have one that is a twin-site model with the [added] electrical gauge model.
This [now referring to the OEM Rochester fuel tank level sender with the Twin-Site option] has a two twin site gauge, [and] one [of the gauges] is my Yamaha combination gauge on dash and the [other gauge is the] more accurate [OEM Rochester dial pointer tank level] gauge on top of [fuel] tank [level] sensor.
My [1998 OUTRAGE 23] boat--as in all the larger Boston Whaler boats--has a dial-pointer gauge on the tank, and also provides a two-wire lead for a [remote electrical] tank level gauge. These boats have [two fuel tank level indicator gauges], and a [Rochester fuel tank sender called a] TwinSite [model is used].
On my other boat, a 1986 OUTRAGE 18 [there was only the mechanical magnetically-linked Rochester fuel tank level gauge].
All [fuel tank level] senders are [made] to a given tank depth, for example, if a fuel tank is 12-inches deep on the outside, you subtract 11-inches [probably meant 1-inch] and buy a sender for an 11-inch deep tank.
I have to pull out the [fuel tank level] sender to get the right size. [The fuel tank lever] sender will come apart in pieces when I get the screws out.
ASIDE
I need to make this repair soon because the fishing season for Tuna has begun.
I am waiting until Albacore season is done. I do not want to miss a fishing trip over [the fuel vapor leak]. [I have put] silicone over the whole mess, and it is keeping fumes from escaping.
Replacement Fuel Tank Level Sender
Re: Replacement Fuel Tank Level Sender
The Rochester sensor can be ordered with both its usual magnetically linked dial pointer level indicator and also a resistive output for use with an electrically operated gauge.
I am unfamiliar with the Moeller aftermarket fuel tank level senders. Please give more information about the Moeller sender you are considering to use, such as the model designation, description, and perhaps a link to some more information available about it on the web.
Unless there is some particular advantage to the Moeller sensor, choosing the OEM Rochester sensor is probably a better option. Over time, those Rochester magnetically-linked dial pointer tank level indicators have proven to very accurate and reliable. They are usually located near the helm and can be easily observed from the helm position.
A further enormous advantage of the Rochester OEM gauge is the dial pointer arc is 270-degrees, giving the ability to read the tank level to a much finer resolution than the usual dial pointer indicators and also most electrical meters, which often only have an arc of 90-degrees.
I am unfamiliar with the Moeller aftermarket fuel tank level senders. Please give more information about the Moeller sender you are considering to use, such as the model designation, description, and perhaps a link to some more information available about it on the web.
Unless there is some particular advantage to the Moeller sensor, choosing the OEM Rochester sensor is probably a better option. Over time, those Rochester magnetically-linked dial pointer tank level indicators have proven to very accurate and reliable. They are usually located near the helm and can be easily observed from the helm position.
A further enormous advantage of the Rochester OEM gauge is the dial pointer arc is 270-degrees, giving the ability to read the tank level to a much finer resolution than the usual dial pointer indicators and also most electrical meters, which often only have an arc of 90-degrees.