Low Fuel Level Light

[touronhold72]

I want to run a small light or LED next to the auto meter fuel level gauge in my dash. GM sending unit is something like 90 ohms full and 0 empty, so I need to figure out how many ohms 3 gallons is approximately.

I want the light to act as a newer model low fuel level warning light that kicks on when there are just a few gallons left so you can get you ass to a gas station instead of pushing the car.

Its an electric guage so I guess I would need to find a resistor or diode that would let me split off of the wire doing to the dash and go into the light/LED.

Any suggestions?

BRIAN

[MrQuick]

You can empty the tank, add 3 gallons then measure the resistance value.

For the light you can run a variable resistance switch at either end to provide ground to the LED power circuit. Radio shack should be able to help.

A diode is just a 1 way circuit so im not sure how that could work. Maybe a zener diode. That would pass current when the voltage gets to a certain level.

[Larry Callahan]

Cool idea!

[GetMore]

Autometer made a product, called the Tri Alert. It had three inputs, and would work with electric gauges. You could set it so when the value was higher/lower than the set value it would activate the appropriate output.
So, you could wire in a warning light, buzzer, electric shock unit ;) or whatever to alert you when your oil pressure dropped or temps rose, etc.

They stopped making them recently, I think they came out with the Nexus gauges not long after.

[CarlC]

You could also use the low fuel warning module used on 1st gen Camaros. It's easy to wire in.

[CamaroAJ]

Fuel Safe also makes one, you'll have to look on there site for it. www.fuelsafe.com

[whytry]

You could also use the low fuel warning module used on 1st gen Camaros. It's easy to wire in.

Where can one of these be found?

[whytry]

nevermind, I found them on Ricks' site.

If I was not running stock gauges, how would I create one?