[AT] How to test a fuel gauge/Sender??--Rickey

[Chuck Saunders]

I had heard that all of  Ford's gauges are 6 volt. But I wouldn't bet a 
cup of coffee on it.
Chuck Saunders

H. L. Staples wrote:

>Steve you are correct in that Guage circuits are not all operated at full 12
>volt.  One of the reasons is if the design was for 12 volt,  then any drop
>in voltage, low battery would cause the readings to be off.  The last system
>I was into was our old 77 F250.  It has a small voltage regulator built into
>the flexible plastic panel behind the display.  As I recall the operating
>voltage is 5.5
>
>
>
>John if the sending unit is erratic in operation,  pry it apart that is bend
>the little tabs so the metal housing can be separated from the base and
>check the tension on the little wiper arm and if necessary do a little
>adjusting with a small set of pliers.  You can check for continuity with the
>ohm meter, the movable contact is attached to one end of the variable
>resistor. 
>
> 
>
>H. L. Staples
>
>McLoud, Oklahoma 
>
>USA
>
> 
>
>-------Original Message-------
>
> 
>
>From: Antique tractor email discussion group
>
>Date: 09/15/04 09:27:33
>
>To: Antique tractor email discussion group
>
>Subject: Re: [AT] How to test a fuel gauge/Sender??--Rickey
>
> 
>
>Not on most of the ones I have worked on. GM fuel senders run from 30-90
>
>ohms, Ford uses a 120-0 unit in many trucks while autos depend on the
>
>model. The one on my motorcycle tests good with 500 ohms full and 2K
>
>empty.
>
>It all depends on what they used. Oh and other than the ammeter itself
>
>99% of electronic gauges are VOLT meters not Ammeters as you stated
>
>Walt.
>
> 
>
> 
>
>Testing many meters and sending units is easy with a VOM though. The
>
>meter winding is usually OK if it tests as close to zero ohms across the
>
>terminals.  The sender is usually ok if when checked across the
>
>terminals you get a continuous smooth altering resistance as the senders
>
>probe is moved. On most you can test them easily IF you have the system
>
>apart by connecting the sender and gauge up and applying the normal
>
>operating voltage to the units, then watch the gauge as you move the
>
>float. Nice smooth motion across the scale and you OK.
>
>Be advised that there are quite a few vehicle fuel gauges that do NOT
>
>use 12 volts even in a 12 Volt system. Ford used 6 volt gauges in there
>
>trucks up until 92-93 and some tractor manufacturers did the same.
>
> 
>
> 
>
>Steve Williams
>
>Near Cooperstown NY
>
> 
>
> 
>
>----- Original Message -----
>
>From: <DAVIESW739 at aol.com>
>
>To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>
>Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 2:22 AM
>
>Subject: Re: [AT] How to test a fuel gauge/Sender??--Rickey
>
> 
>
> 
>
>  
>
>>Phil,
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>> I also have spent a lifetime of working on all kinds of vehicles and
>>    
>>
>
>I have
>
>  
>
>>never in 40 years of this ever found a gauge that would not take  full
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>>battery voltage. If your right then I would be afraid to turn on the
>>    
>>
>
>key because if
>
>  
>
>>the sending unit is at 0 resistance then blooey.  By the way  almost
>>    
>>
>
>all
>
>  
>
>>sending units go from 0 to Max resistance.  You may call  yourself an
>>    
>>
>
>expert but
>
>  
>
>>your writing on the subject tell something different,  sorry but
>>    
>>
>
>that's just
>
>  
>
>>the way it sounds. By the way its not voltage that will  burn the
>>    
>>
>
>gauge out but
>
>  
>
>>amperage. You can 1 million volts though a tiny wire if  you have very
>>    
>>
>
>little
>
>  
>
>>amperage.
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>>By the way do you know what the definition of 1 volt is.
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>
>  
>
>>Walt  Davies
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>>Cooper Hollow Farm
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>>Monmouth, OR 97361
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>>503 623-0460
>>    
>>
>
>  
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>  
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