Insight into accurate fuel guage issue

[dogbert]

I got this from the wakesiderides website:

"The standard sender that Malibu uses is a linear type with a float that slides up and down a guide channel. Because of the limitations of this type of sender, it is virtually impossible to get an accurate reading. Malibu uses this type of sender becaues the tanks are shipped from the manufacturer with the sender installed, and a more accurate unit could be damaged in shipping. Fortunately for us, installing a floar arm type sender is quick and easier work, and will for the most part cure your fuel gauge of inaccuracies."

My guess is that most manufacturers order their tanks complete with senders in them. It makes it appear as if more accurate gauges exist, but are easily damanged. Mine works ok (i.e., it's directionally accurate), but getting some sort of Hours To Empty reading (similar to the DTE reading you get in most cars these days based on average fuel consumption) would be preferable.

Anyway, they have a whole remedy described so for anyone who is interested, here's the
link .

It would be good to get someone who's familiar with this to review the remedy and chime in on its validity before we all embark on another DIY project

[switchme]

I have hesitated to post this for fear of jinxing myself but my Switch I fuel gauge is very accurate. This is supposed to be a lesser quality boat so after reading all the problems I was worried I'd have them too but No!

Maybe Tige uses a different sender on my boat or maybe it's an I vs. V issue.

[JASON739]

The short version of what I have seen and gone through is this;
requested new sender and received one that was just like the original with the same result.
next request was met with the uniform response still in use today which is "fuel guages on boats are never acurrate". Continued request for different type of sender and finally received another of the same. Same result.
Finally they sent the third one that was a different style and model #, and it has been perfect since.

[dogbert]

The one on my '99 has been reasonably accurate since I got it. I wonder if they changed the type of sender? My neighbor has an '02 model of my boat (21V) and he's had continuous trouble. Maybe someone from Tige can provide some insight?

[walkers2rad]

The thing that concerns me about everyone going out and putting in a float arm type sender is that it would have to be damn sturdy to take the beating it is going to get with all of that gas sloshing around in the tank. If it does work better I have to wonder for how long, most of the float arm senders I have seen are kind of flimsy. The captured float design is much sturdier, but what good is it if it does not work!
I dont know how or if our tanks are baffled but I would assume that it has to have some and that probably contributes in some way to the different levels that the sender sees while bobbing around on the lake. There is probably some sort of perfect design of baffling for the gas tank design we use and maybe it could be improved upon to help this problem in future boats.
Ray

[MOTLEY CREW]

ON MY '05 24V I SIMPLY HAVE TO THUMP THE GAUGE AFTER STARING THE ENGINE TO GET IT WEST OF "F". THEN I DIVIDE BY HALF AND IDLE TO THE PUMP AND FILL 'ER UP. THE ONLY TIME IT WORKED WAS WHEN MY DEALER LEFT IT EMPTY IN MY SLIP! SERIOUSLY THERE HAS TO BE A SOLUTION TO THIS. THE MC BOYS CLAIM THEIR FG'S ARE DEAD ON BUT THEY HAVE TO COMPENSATE FOR A LOT OF PROBLEMS!


C

[BrentRR]

I'm not sure what the status of the fuel gauge is on my '05 24V. Like everyone else, the gauge stays on full most of the time. It will show other readings, especially after a long session and some idle time.

My issue is that the gauge will read 1/4 left and I will get gas and only be able to put in about 20 gals, which should be more like 30 gals. The attendant isn't too happy either since there is always a good 'burp' of gas that sprays him.

I know it is hard to fill properly while bobbing on the water, but it gets a little frustrating to be making so many trips to the pump.