Fuel Guage

[av8r]

So my fuel gauge hasn't moved since I filled it up when I purchased the boat. I bought the boat and the gauge read just under a half of tank so I filled it up and the gauge read full. I'v taken the boat out probably 5-6 times anywhere form only 2 miles to maybe the longest day 20 miles. I have a 1999 Yamaha 150 2 stroke on it, my question is does the gauge normally stay at full for a while then when it reaches a certain point it will start dropping? Also is their any way to sound the tank or use a dip stick. I would hate tone out thinking I have fuel then next thing I know I'm out. Its a 2000 210CC with an 80Gal tank. 

[mosquito13]

I fill up after every use. Help prevent condensation from occurring in the tank. Do that a several times you will get a good idea on how much it burns. Senders can stick. If you have access you could put a multi on it and check before and after a trip just to make sure it is working.

[Juan]

Mine does the same as yours and registers full until the tank drops to about half a tank then it drops in a hurry. As skeeter said, the float on the senders sometimes stick and marine mechanical fuel gauges have never been extremely accurate. I bought a new sending unit a couple years ago and have never changed the old one out just because they aren't dependable. To be on the safe side, I do as skeeter does and top off the tank about every third trip or when the fuel gauge starts to fall.

[985crabs]

Ditto what Skeeter and Juan said. I can run out half a tank and my gauge reads just under full. If I keep running it drops like a rock after that. I fill up on the way home so I always start full.

I did replace the sending unit a couple years ago hoping it would make a difference. Nope.

[gtinga]

Same here with my SV1900. I think the problem is the sending unit is at the back of the tank so when you're running bow high the tank has to be down to half full before the sending unit sees a decrease in the fuel. I tested mine on the trailer by running the tongue jack up and down to the limits with about half a tank. All the way up = full, all the way down = a bit less than half. Accurate they ain't.

[troutslayer]

glad I just read all that, my fuel guage in my 1900 is female for sure, thought I was nuts

[av8r]

Thanks everyone I appreciate the advice, thats kind of what i was thinking I was just wondering if anyone else experienced the same and it seems they do. I only run NON-Ethanol fuel but the closes station that has it around me isn't very close but I think I'm going to take it and top it off after my trip tomorrow.

[AHHHH-Spray]

The needle on your guage could be stuck. Try rapping on it with your knuckle a couple times and see if it drops. Mine does that until I burn a few gallons off a full tank and the needle can swing freely.

[freezerfiller]

Mine did the same thing. Full for a long time and then a race to the bottom.

[av8r]

So I think the sending unit isn't working, filled it up on Friday when I came off the water. She took 66gals and it has a 80 gal tank and the gauge still read full. Glad I filled it up.

[freezerfiller]

You can check the sending unit with an ohmmeter to see if it is the sending unit vs the fuel gauge.

[av8r]

Thanks, I checked out the video think I'm going to check it out this weekend.