Sunlight 31 - dead fuel gauge

[stevehodges]

Any ideas on where to start with a completely dead fuel gauge?

I'm planning to remove the gauge to have it tested but if found to be in working order I guess I am going to need to access the tank sender unit.

I have a sunlight 31 and the chart table is built around the tank - please someone tell me I dont have to start dismantling joinery!

[Don Reaves]

Perhaps I'm suggesting something completely wrong, but...

I thought the fuel gauge on my SO35 was dead also. I got out my manual and started tracking down the wiring. Finally, I discovered that the wiring diagram includes a switch. On my boat, the fuel gauge is off unless the engine is on and you press this switch. Of course, it's black on a black panel mounted very low, where everything is hard to see. The switch is not labeled either.

So is it possible that you have the same problem? Or is this a gauge that used to work and no longer does?

Don Reaves

[tean]

My sunlight 30 fuel gauge was also not working. I found that it was powered through a black push/pull-switch on the engine control panel. The switch was rusted solid in the off position. I disconnected the lead from the switch to the meter and connected a short wire to provide the power to the meter from the output side of the "ignition" switch. Now the fuel gauge is "on" when the "ignition" is on.

If I pull out and remove the cutlery drawer from beneath the nav. desk, I can see the fuel gauge sender. I could certainly make some temporary connections to it for testing if needed. If I had to get better access to it, I would remove a few screws in the bottom of the chart storage area in the nav desk and lift the desk off.

John