Do I need a transducer?

[J-440]

My electronic fuel gauge and my fuel tank sending unit from Rick's Tanks aren't jiving with one another. Everything is connected correctly and the sending unit was measured and cut per the directions from Rick's. I heard that I might need a transducer spliced into the fuel gauge wire? This seem right?

[DonohurJav]

Are the resistance's required for your gauges the same as the sender?
Also, does the sender seal with an o-ring? If so, you have to run a dedicated ground wire.
I'd check those things first.


Sean

[J-440]

Don't know about the resistance but I do have a ground coming from the senders post running to the stainless fuel tank strap.

[DonohurJav]

What gauges are you using? Check the owners manual or online. It should tell you what ohm range to use. There are 3 common ones;

240-33 most common for aftermarket gauges

0-30&0-90 alot of older gm pre-1998

73-10 Ford, mopar, amc etc.

There are others, but I bet your gauges use one of these.
Check the instructions that came with your tank/sender.
They HAVE to match.

The tanks Inc website has a good section explaining this.

If you match them up it should be a go.


Sean

[130fe]

What is is doing exactly? Which electronic gauge are you running? On the autometer gauges (I have had in the past) and now with the DD VHX ones, I ran a separate grounds 1. from the gauge (up front) and 2. one from the sender on the tank. Both grounded on the same spot (near gas tank). If your sender is the 5 bolt mount type, you need to run separate grounds because of the mounting gasket like Sean mentioned.

[J-440]

I'm running Stewart Warner electric gauge. I can't remember if I had an o-ring gasket when the sending unit was installed. I do have a ground wire to the tank strap like I mentioned. I'll bet it is an ohm compatibility problem like Don stated. Thanks again guys.

[J-440]

Don, you're correct I have the 240/33 ohm fuel gauge. I ran a ground from the back of the gauge to a clean part of the dash. Instructions say to ground at the tank. Would this be the problem and also, isn't a ground just a ground no matter where you put it?

[DonohurJav]

Call Rick's tanks and find out the ohm range of the sender. I tried their website and couldn't find it listed. Is this tank for one of your mopar's? If it is, then I bet rick's sent you a 73-10 ohm sender. If so, that is probably your problem. You just need an aftermarket 240/33 sender of the same mount type. Re-install that per instructions and you SHOULD be good to go.


Sean

[DonohurJav]

As far as your grounds are concerned, You might be ok. Try the right sender first.

I personally, wouldn't trust the ground to the tank strap. Even though it is touching the tank and probably the tank is mounted with J-bolts touching the trunk metal, it's still not technically "proper". I use a stud or bolt through the trunk sheetmetal ( somewhere inconspicuous) with star washers for good penetration, then coat it with vaseline or white lithium grease after to keep corrosion to a minimum.

Hope this helps!


Sean

[J-440]

Man I really don't wanna change out that sender. Don't they make a device that goes in between the gauge and sender that converts the ohms? Gotta be an easier way.

[DonohurJav]

I guess that was your original question. Lol. I'm sure it can be done with some sort of resistor, or some combination of electrical components spliced in ,but I think to get it accurate is going to be tough. Sorry I can't help more in that path. Maybe there's an electrical engineer on here that can help you out.

It just seems like the long way around to get there if you know what I mean. And that's just my opinion. Plenty of those to go around. LOL.

Good luck, let us know how you make out & how you did it.


Sean

[andrewb70]

Man I really don't wanna change out that sender. Don't they make a device that goes in between the gauge and sender that converts the ohms? Gotta be an easier way.

You can probably change the gauge to match the sender. Surely SW makes different ones for different senders.

Andrew

[J-440]

Yeah the gauge change would be easier but hell it's 2015. Gotta be something out there right? I'll keep looking.

[andrewb70]

https://www.facebook.com/TanksInc/photos/a.382078361908577.1073741827.286784578104623/673103892806021/?type=1&theater

Their website is down but I found that...

Andrew

[J-440]

Found this on Speedwaymotors.com. Part #91012910. It's a fuel gauge interface module for $130. Gonna check with Stewart Warner to see if they make the right gauge. I just may swap it out.

[130fe]

I would just swap gauges if they sell a 240/33 gauge in your style, a lot easier than dropping the tank. You should be able to sell the old gauge, 0/90 gauges are pretty universal for gm stuff.