Click for Abeking Click for Furuno Click for JetForums Click for Westport Click for Burger

Smartcraft fuel gauge issue

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Capt J, Jun 8, 2009.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. Capt J, Jun 8, 2009
    #1
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,530
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    One of the boats I manage and have managed since new is a Boston Whaler Outrage 27 that has twin Mercury Verado 225hp engines with the multifunction Smartcraft single gauge for both engines. The problem I have been having is the fuel gauge used to read accurately, but now reads artificially low. I have replaced the fuel tank sender and the wiring at the sender looks to be in good shape with good connections. The tank holds 200 gallons and for example when full it will read 145 +/- gallons on the gauge now. If the tank shows 89 gallons for example, it will really have about 140 gallons in it. The boat is going on 3 years old and has had the issue for over a year now.

    Does anyone know what wire connection on the back of the gauge is for the fuel tank sender? What wire numbers are for the fuel tank sender and also for the fuel tank sender ground? it seems to me that it is a weak ground that is causing the issue.
  2. HONGKONG, Jun 8, 2009
    #2
    HONGKONG

    HONGKONG Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2006
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    NASSAU and now Miami
  3. Capt J, Jun 9, 2009
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,530
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    I don't think it's a calibration issue because the software still shows the tank size as 200 gallons and when the tank is completely full it shows say 69% full and 143 gallons (it varies a little) and you can watch the gallons go up or down while the boat is sitting completely still on a boat lift. It will slowly working it's way down to 123 gallons then back up.......it seems to me that it is a weak ground wire.
  4. Hot Rod, Jan 6, 2010
    #4
    Hot Rod

    Hot Rod New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2009
    Messages:
    32
    Location:
    Blue Water Point Marina, Oak Island, NC
    Capt. J
    Did you ever find the problem with the fuel guage? I have the same problem with my 36 Luhrs.
  5. Henning, Jan 6, 2010
    #5
    Henning

    Henning Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2009
    Messages:
    940
    Location:
    Ft Lauderdale FL
    Sorry, don't know your system, ut may I suggest you look at something like a Flowscan or similar fuel totalizer?
  6. Golmar, Jan 11, 2010
    #6
    Golmar

    Golmar Guest


    Did you install a digital sender (not a float arm style they are analog)? Do you have a SmartCraft System Monitor?

    If so remove the sender from the tank and connect it directly to the mercury wiring harness, bypassing the boats electrical.

    If you get a correct reading you know that it is the wiring to the tank

    If you get the same reading as you did in the tank than you need to recalibrate the gauge. Follow the instructions from page 22 of your System Monitor manual.

    Hope this is helpful