Date:         Sat, 29 Jul 2006 10:18:44 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Different Gas Gauge Question
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

Here's an interesting doohickey:

http://www.cruzpro.com/fu30.html

I came across this while trying to find a different doohickey of which I
don't know the name... It seems to me I once heard of, or saw, a fuel sender
that worked on pressure, as opposed to a float. It would be in the line at
the outlet of the tank. The more fuel in the tank, the more pressure in the
line and the higher the reading, etc.
However it seems like something like that wouldn't work as effectively on a
system like the Vanagon where the pressures in the tank are affected by the
fuel pump and the venting and emission systems.

Anybody have any idea?

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Max Wellhouse" <maxjoyce@IPA.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 9:23 AM
Subject: Re: Different Gas Gauge Question


> Jim and LIstees:  My gauge, when I fill the tank, reads above the full
> mark, at about 75 miles, get  down to the full mark, at about 175 miles
> it's at the half and from there, it's a crapshoot.  If I get to the red, I
> could run out at any time.  I'm thinking the wild oscillations happen when
> there's more fuel in the tank.  Once the oscillations cease, there's
> likely
> very little fuel left to slosh around down there and maybe time to find a
> pump.
>
> Thanks to all
>
> DM&FS
>
>>Ah yes, the venerable, typical, inaccurate Vanagon Gas Gauge.  The
>>calibration between the sender and the gauge is perhaps the worst of any
>>VW
>>model made.  Every Vanagon I have encountered, gas or diesel has been
>>pretty
>>dismal in the fuel gauge reading department.
>>
>>Proper reading of the gauge (if it was accurate,) from R to L, is Full,
>>1/2,
>>1/4, Reserve.
>>
>>These are the readings on my 84 Westy that I have gotten used to over the
>>years (with both old and new senders - my coolant gauge has always been
>>relatively spot-on).  After about 45 miles, my gauge needle falls to half
>>and stays there until around 110 miles, then it falls to 1/4.  When I have
>>reached about 160 miles, it falls to the edge of the R Band.  As I travel
>>the next 30 miles and turns are involved, it wildly flucuates (I love that
>>word), sometimes buring the needle into the extreme left (Empty) side.
>>
>>When it first falls to the edge of the R's Red Band, I generally fill up
>>around 10 to 11 gallons (I usually tow a small loaded trailer, around
>>800lbs, as on my recent trip from SoCal to Tennessee and back).
>>
>>YMMV ;-)
>>--
>>Jim Thompson
>>
>
>
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