Fuel gage quit working

M

marykhubby

Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2007
RO Number
25522
Messages
584
These Carvers have that single fuel gage switch to toggle back and forth to monitor Port/Starboard tank levels on the same gage. I flipped the switch while underway today and the gage needle jumped around and then disappeared. Moving the switch to the other tank the gage seemed to work fine. That is until I toggled both ways several more times, then the gage went dead (for good). This is the bridge gage. I went down to my salon helm and it works perfectly. Bad switch? Bad gage? Any of you fellow Carver owners had this same thing happen? How can troubleshoot whether its the gage or switch? Kenny, are these dual switches specials or can I easily find an off the shelf replacement?
Don
 
Don,
I too have a rocker switch for fuel guages, but single helm set-up I think it's a bad switch, if the guage was bad, your lower helm wouldn't work.
 
Don, the only thing its safe to say is the sending unit is OK. Other than that it could still be the switch or the gauge. From experience I'd go with the switch first, but on my current boat that didnt work... Come to think of it changing my gauge didnt work either - so either both of my sending units are bad or some other screwy thing is going on...

But anyway, back to your problem - lets go in order - the switch is prob the first place to look, then maybe check the wiring to the fuse or the ground, anything that is specific to the upper station power supply. Then I'd look at the gauge, and if that doesnt work, well... then welcome to the club - you and I can go get drunk together cause I dont know how to fix it either [:O] ...
 
I had the "exact" thing happen a few weeks ago on my Voyager. Turned out to be the switch. something broke inside.

Changed the switch, problem solved.

Bob
 
I have the same two tank/single gauge/switch setup, which seems to be a pretty silly way to do it. I am guessing that with a dual helm setup (but mine is a single helm), its one way to keep the gauges from interacting with each other (e.g. two gauges on each sending unit).

I bought a pair of Lowrance NMEA2000 network adapters that connect directly to the sending units. Amazingly enough, it does seem to be a bit more accurate as the network adapters can be setup for the particular tank geometry.

But accurate is a relative thing as no resistive sender is going to be very accurate when the boat is under plane anyway.

I now have a spare switch on the helm that I need to find another use for.
 
Don,

I checked today...should be a standard momentary on off on switch but dual pole (6 terminals on the back)...I have them for $12.50 plus shipping right from Carver. BTW, it was GREAT meeting you and your wife!!!!
 
Alright then - I'll knock the switch off first...
Kenny, let me know how you want to handle getting one over to me.
PS: thx for the beer! Liked what you've done to your boat so far.
Don
 
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