OUTRAGE 18 Electrically-operated Fuel Tank Level Gauge

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Author Topic:   OUTRAGE 18 Electrically-operated Fuel Tank Level Gauge

striper swiper posted 07-02-2015 02:32 PM ET (US)
[What make and model of electrically-operated fuel tank level gauge can be installed on a Boston Whaler] OUTRAGE 18 on the deck, instead of at the [helm] console? Has this ever been done?
jimh posted 07-02-2015 05:08 PM ET (US)
To use an electrically-operated fuel tank level gauge, you'd first have to convert the fuel tank level sender on the Boston Whaler OUTRAGE boat to be a rheostat-type sender from the purely mechanical sender that is usually found.
I don't see any advantage to installing the remote fuel tank gauge on the deck instead of the helm console. The idea of using an electrical fuel tank level sender and a remote electrically-operated gauge is to permit the gauge to be mounted away from the sender. You seem to be proposing to:
--remove the existing fuel tank level sender
--replace the tank level sender with a rheostat-type sender
--install a 12-Volt circuit for an electrically-operated fuel tank gauge
--wire the gauge to the sender, and
--locate the gauge next to the fuel tank.
The simplicity of the existing mechanical float sender and its magnetic coupling to the dial indicator is a great feature of the classic Boston Whaler. Do you mind explaining why want to change it?
striper swiper posted 07-02-2015 05:45 PM ET (US)
The [original] unit is on its way out, so I want to replace it. The [present] thought is to replace the mechanical-magnetic unit with more reliable electronic sender. The problem is drilling another hole on the console, which I'd rather avoid. I just wanted to see if there is an efficient and not-too-costly replacement.
jimh posted 07-03-2015 09:58 AM ET (US)
If there is no longer sufficient space on the helm console to install a new 2-inch gauge to show fuel tank level, install the new 2-inch electrically-operated fuel tank level gauge inside the opening door of the center console of the Boston Whaler OUTRAGE 18.
On my Boston Whaler boat, I have installed a voltmeter that monitors the HOUSE battery voltage. The meter is mounted to a bracket. The bracket is fastened to the wall of the console's storage cabinet. To check the HOUSE battery voltage I just have to open the cabinet door and glance downward. My motivation for choosing this location is the same as STRIPER SWIPER's: I did not want to make another hole in the helm console for mounting this added 2-inch gauge. (I already have seven gauges mounted on the helm console.)
I also have my VHF Marine Band radio mounted in the helm cabinet, so the door to the cabinet is generally kept open when the boat is underway.
jimh posted 07-03-2015 10:03 AM ET (US)
There is a good article about replacement fuel tank level senders of an electrical and electronic nature in the archives of the discussion area SMALL BOAT ELECTRICAL. See the thread:
Fuel Tank Level Sender: Electrical
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000632.html
The discussion area SMALL BOAT ELECTRICAL focuses on topics related to boat electrical and electronic systems, such as instrumentation and gauges.
jimh posted 07-03-2015 10:10 AM ET (US)
Before proceeding further with your project to convert the fuel tank sender of your Boston Whaler OUTRAGE 18 boat to an electrically operated sender from the original mechanical-magnetic sender, you should consider the mounting provisions provided in the fuel tank top surface.
Most of the electrically-operated fuel tank level senders seem to conform to a standard mounting system which is typically referred to as an SAE Five-hole mount. The Boston Whaler mechanical fuel tank level sender mounts in a four-hole pattern.
I do not recall any first-hand accounts in which an owner of a Boston Whaler boat with the four-hole fuel tank level sender was able to convert to a five-hole SAE mount.
striper swiper posted 07-12-2015 08:22 AM ET (US)
I will just replace it with the magnetic OEM
striper swiper posted 08-02-2015 03:42 PM ET (US)
Update--I purchased a new OEM Rochester gauge from E-components, and it will not fit into the neck of the tank. The new gauge has an offset design whilst the original was straight and fit directly into the tank with no problems. It seems Rochester said this gauge will fit, but it doesn't. I sent it back to E-components for a refund.
jimh posted 08-03-2015 09:30 AM ET (US)
What was the Rochester Gauge part number that you purchased, the one that does not fit?
Hoosier posted 08-03-2015 09:58 AM ET (US)
You should be able to replace just the indicator capsule on top of the gauge, that's called a Twin Site and you can have both a remote display and see the fuel level on the capsule.
striper swiper posted 08-03-2015 03:30 PM ET (US)
Rochester guage series 6580
jimh posted 08-04-2015 03:37 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the information on the 6580 part not fitting correctly. Have you been able to determine which model in the 6500-series will fit properly?

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Author	Topic: OUTRAGE 18 Electrically-operated Fuel Tank Level Gauge
striper swiper	posted 07-02-2015 02:32 PM ET (US) [What make and model of electrically-operated fuel tank level gauge can be installed on a Boston Whaler] OUTRAGE 18 on the deck, instead of at the [helm] console? Has this ever been done?
jimh	posted 07-02-2015 05:08 PM ET (US) To use an electrically-operated fuel tank level gauge, you'd first have to convert the fuel tank level sender on the Boston Whaler OUTRAGE boat to be a rheostat-type sender from the purely mechanical sender that is usually found. I don't see any advantage to installing the remote fuel tank gauge on the deck instead of the helm console. The idea of using an electrical fuel tank level sender and a remote electrically-operated gauge is to permit the gauge to be mounted away from the sender. You seem to be proposing to: --remove the existing fuel tank level sender --replace the tank level sender with a rheostat-type sender --install a 12-Volt circuit for an electrically-operated fuel tank gauge --wire the gauge to the sender, and --locate the gauge next to the fuel tank. The simplicity of the existing mechanical float sender and its magnetic coupling to the dial indicator is a great feature of the classic Boston Whaler. Do you mind explaining why want to change it?
striper swiper	posted 07-02-2015 05:45 PM ET (US) The [original] unit is on its way out, so I want to replace it. The [present] thought is to replace the mechanical-magnetic unit with more reliable electronic sender. The problem is drilling another hole on the console, which I'd rather avoid. I just wanted to see if there is an efficient and not-too-costly replacement.
jimh	posted 07-03-2015 09:58 AM ET (US) If there is no longer sufficient space on the helm console to install a new 2-inch gauge to show fuel tank level, install the new 2-inch electrically-operated fuel tank level gauge inside the opening door of the center console of the Boston Whaler OUTRAGE 18. On my Boston Whaler boat, I have installed a voltmeter that monitors the HOUSE battery voltage. The meter is mounted to a bracket. The bracket is fastened to the wall of the console's storage cabinet. To check the HOUSE battery voltage I just have to open the cabinet door and glance downward. My motivation for choosing this location is the same as STRIPER SWIPER's: I did not want to make another hole in the helm console for mounting this added 2-inch gauge. (I already have seven gauges mounted on the helm console.) I also have my VHF Marine Band radio mounted in the helm cabinet, so the door to the cabinet is generally kept open when the boat is underway.
jimh	posted 07-03-2015 10:03 AM ET (US) There is a good article about replacement fuel tank level senders of an electrical and electronic nature in the archives of the discussion area SMALL BOAT ELECTRICAL. See the thread: Fuel Tank Level Sender: Electrical http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000632.html The discussion area SMALL BOAT ELECTRICAL focuses on topics related to boat electrical and electronic systems, such as instrumentation and gauges.
jimh	posted 07-03-2015 10:10 AM ET (US) Before proceeding further with your project to convert the fuel tank sender of your Boston Whaler OUTRAGE 18 boat to an electrically operated sender from the original mechanical-magnetic sender, you should consider the mounting provisions provided in the fuel tank top surface. Most of the electrically-operated fuel tank level senders seem to conform to a standard mounting system which is typically referred to as an SAE Five-hole mount. The Boston Whaler mechanical fuel tank level sender mounts in a four-hole pattern. I do not recall any first-hand accounts in which an owner of a Boston Whaler boat with the four-hole fuel tank level sender was able to convert to a five-hole SAE mount.
striper swiper	posted 07-12-2015 08:22 AM ET (US) I will just replace it with the magnetic OEM
striper swiper	posted 08-02-2015 03:42 PM ET (US) Update--I purchased a new OEM Rochester gauge from E-components, and it will not fit into the neck of the tank. The new gauge has an offset design whilst the original was straight and fit directly into the tank with no problems. It seems Rochester said this gauge will fit, but it doesn't. I sent it back to E-components for a refund.
jimh	posted 08-03-2015 09:30 AM ET (US) What was the Rochester Gauge part number that you purchased, the one that does not fit?
Hoosier	posted 08-03-2015 09:58 AM ET (US) You should be able to replace just the indicator capsule on top of the gauge, that's called a Twin Site and you can have both a remote display and see the fuel level on the capsule.
striper swiper	posted 08-03-2015 03:30 PM ET (US) Rochester guage series 6580
jimh	posted 08-04-2015 03:37 AM ET (US) Thanks for the information on the 6580 part not fitting correctly. Have you been able to determine which model in the 6500-series will fit properly?