| wolf k |
09-08-2016 06:06 AM |
Fuel Level Gauge Pointer Swing
Any one know what can be added to the the fuel gauge circuit that will steady the gauge pointer as the fuel sloshes around in the tank?
|
| DanEC |
09-08-2016 06:19 AM |
Does it swing back and forth pretty rapidly? Mine will move some - but no rapid or wild swings - seems reasonably well dampened. I wonder if the gage is supposed to have some dampening of needle swing built in.
|
| strictlypersonl |
09-08-2016 08:27 AM |
The lack of damping is built into the gauge and mechanical sender. There's no easy way to fix it. Theoretically, an electronic choke does that kind of damping, but I couldn't find one with the correct range.
|
| spdbrake |
09-08-2016 10:42 AM |
|
| strictlypersonl |
09-08-2016 11:32 AM |
That is worth a try. At least it's cheap. I think they're using a diode in the circuit that slowly bleeds reverse current.
|
| wolf k |
09-09-2016 02:24 AM |
Yea, my gauge has at least a 1/4 tank swing, acts as if there is zero dampening, it is a SW gauge.
spdbrake, thanks for the link, I will give that a try.
|
It sounds like you need baffles in the tank...
|
| strictlypersonl |
09-09-2016 12:03 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xack
(Post 1403012)
It sounds like you need baffles in the tank...
|
The tank already has baffles (with one-way doors) that separate the volume into three areas. The limitation is that the center section (with the fuel sender) must be about 1/3 of the volume, and there's no room for front/rear separation. |
| 66gtk |
09-09-2016 01:10 PM |
Mine starts to swing once it goes below 1/2 tank. Pretty much all my ERAs have behaved this way. If I wait for a steady 1/4 tank reading I'm typically close to being near empty.
|
| awfink55 |
09-10-2016 03:50 AM |
Hey everyone, mine does the same as 66gtk's. Starts to swing when about half full (or half empty depends on how you look at it) when she stays steady, I fill up. BUT, when I fill the tank it never reads full on the gauge. I've learned to live with it.........I hate to mess with the electrics under the dash........
|
| DanEC |
09-10-2016 05:38 AM |
I haven't made note of any increased swing in mine under 1/2 tank but I have a fairly late car so maybe there was some subtle change in the tank or the fuel level sender. Or maybe I just never noticed. If your gage doesn't read full when the tank is full, that is almost always the sender in the tank. It probably isn't positioned correctly and the float isn't moving the rheostat to the lowest resistance (could be highest - can't remember w/o checking) to signal the gage to read full. They can be adjusted but it usually involves draining the tank down and opening it up to pull the float out.
|
| strictlypersonl |
09-10-2016 06:17 AM |
Unfortunately, the unhappy marriage of a universal sender and a gauge designed for a tank with a different shape means that there had to be some compromises on accuracy. There's not much I can do with the mid-range without losing the extremes.
|
| davids2toys |
09-10-2016 10:51 AM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by strictlypersonl
(Post 1403063)
Unfortunately, the unhappy marriage of a universal sender and a gauge designed for a tank with a different shape means that there had to be some compromises on accuracy. There's not much I can do with the mid-range without losing the extremes.
|
Perfectly said. My gauge is dead perfect at full and empty. When the tank is 1/4-3/4 it moves around a lot. At 1/2 it moves the most for sure. At these points if I really need to know what i have I just drive slower and flat and it steadies right out to an accurate reading. I can live with that. If memory serves me correctly, my first cobra (Unique) did pretty much the same thing. |
| Cobradad |
09-12-2016 01:25 PM |
Glad to see this post. Last week I ran out of gas 4 miles from home. My SW gauge read just over 1/4 tank. I put about two gallons of gas in and the needle went to just under full and has stayed there. I have subsequently filled the tank, and driven about thirty miles with no movement of the needle. Any thoughts? Thanks.
|
| strictlypersonl |
09-12-2016 03:54 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cobradad
(Post 1403300)
Glad to see this post. Last week I ran out of gas 4 miles from home. My SW gauge read just over 1/4 tank. I put about two gallons of gas in and the needle went to just under full and has stayed there. I have subsequently filled the tank, and driven about thirty miles with no movement of the needle. Any thoughts? Thanks.
|
That's way out of line. :(
First, I would try the tests outlined in my Wiring Primer.
It could be the sender, gauge, or in the wiring itself. |
| cycleguy55 |
09-12-2016 04:11 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by spdbrake
(Post 1402885)
|
Anybody know what capacitor is used in that gizmo? It would be pretty easy to build one of these if the capacitor values were known. |
| spdbrake |
09-12-2016 04:17 PM |
|
| strictlypersonl |
09-13-2016 03:45 AM |
spdbrake,
Thanks! I also fixed the original link.
|
| Dwight |
09-13-2016 06:27 AM |
could you change the sending unit?
What ohm range is the sending unit?
I just changed a swing arm unit for a marine unit. The marine unit has a float around a shaft not a float mounted on a long wire arm. I think this is a better sending unit than the ones I've used in the past. Much better. Easy to test before you install. No removing the unit and bending the arm to get it to match the gauge.
You measure the depth of the tank and order the sending unit to match.
here is a link to one on ebay
Moeller Reed Switch Fuel Sending Unit Pick Size | eBay |
| wolf k |
09-19-2016 06:44 AM |
Just received and installed the fuel gauge stabilizer from Zims.
Essentially it is a 5.5v, .1 f capacitor installed in line between the gauge and the sending unit, the negative side of the capacitor is grounded.
It does work, somewhat, it reduced the swing by half, instead of the 1/4 swing I did have, now it is down to an 1/8 swing.
I did not want to go through the hassle of pulling the dash, so I installed the capacitor near the harness connection in the wheel well. This is a FIA, 427 cars may be different.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...n/DSC01039.jpg |
| All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:01 AM. |
|
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link:
