Autometer fuel level gauge help
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 297
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From: Butner,NC
Autometer fuel level gauge help
Has anyone done this conversion and got it to work correctly; I replaced all my stock Ranger gauges with Autometer ultralites using the billet aftermarket insert but getting my fuel level gauge to work with the OEM tank sending unit is working on my nerves. I know it is a question of ohms from empty to full and as it stands my tank is 1/2 full but the gauge pegs past the full mark. Any input or tricks would be appreciated to keep my OEM NOS sender in tank without using Autometer's universal one with dash gauge.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 851
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From: Elizabeth City, NC
Autometer fuel level gauge help
You need to find out what the difference is in ranges between the gauge and sender. After you know that maybe someone here can help you build a resistor network to make it work properly.
Russell
1968 F250 LWB 300-6
FORD=First on Race Day
#88 Dale Jarrett-9th in 2002
#21 Elliott Sadler
#97 Kurt Busch-3rd in 2002
#28 Ricky Rudd-10th in 2002
Russell
1968 F250 LWB 300-6
FORD=First on Race Day
#88 Dale Jarrett-9th in 2002
#21 Elliott Sadler
#97 Kurt Busch-3rd in 2002
#28 Ricky Rudd-10th in 2002
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Butner,NC
Autometer fuel level gauge help
The Autometer ultralite gauge has (3) terminals on the back; 12V ign. switch source, fuel tank sender and ground and that's the way I have it wired. I wasn't aware of the OEM Ford unit using 5V so I guess I would have a problem with it not working. The 4315 gauge I have lists the sender resistance as 10 ohms/full and 73 ohms/empty.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 851
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From: Elizabeth City, NC
Autometer fuel level gauge help
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Dec-02 AT 10:02 PM (EST)]Using the measurements provided and ohms law. Meter=12V and 10 ohms at full scale deflection. i=e/r 12/10=1.2 at full scale deflection. R=E/I 12/1.2=10 The sender at half a tank has 10ohms
Russell
1968 F250 LWB 300-6
FORD=First on Race Day
#88 Dale Jarrett-9th in 2002
#21 Elliott Sadler
#97 Kurt Busch-3rd in 2002
#28 Ricky Rudd-10th in 2002
Russell
1968 F250 LWB 300-6
FORD=First on Race Day
#88 Dale Jarrett-9th in 2002
#21 Elliott Sadler
#97 Kurt Busch-3rd in 2002
#28 Ricky Rudd-10th in 2002
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,157
Likes: 1
From: Central Kali
Autometer fuel level gauge help
I don't think the gauge is drawing 1.2 amps, thats a little excessive. Half a tank would be 1/2 the resistence range or 31.5 ohms if Stroker had the Autometer sender. Stroker, do you have a meter to measure the voltage at the sender with a full tank? If not, I would get a variable resistor of 50 ohms and put it in series with the sender. With a full tank you could adjust it so the gauge reads full.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
Autometer fuel level gauge help
The stock Ford fuel sending unit is 10 ohms full and 73 ohms empty.
To figure the current draw, you have to add in the meter resistance, it's in series.
Barry
To figure the current draw, you have to add in the meter resistance, it's in series.
Barry
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 851
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From: Elizabeth City, NC
Autometer fuel level gauge help
Mike: My bad. When using that formula where E=V, R=Ohms, "I" will be in mA.
Barry: Doh!<----(said like Homer) Forgot about the meter resistance.
Russell
1968 F250 LWB 300-6
FORD=First on Race Day
#88 Dale Jarrett-9th in 2002
#21 Elliott Sadler
#97 Kurt Busch-3rd in 2002
#28 Ricky Rudd-10th in 2002
Barry: Doh!<----(said like Homer) Forgot about the meter resistance.
Russell
1968 F250 LWB 300-6
FORD=First on Race Day
#88 Dale Jarrett-9th in 2002
#21 Elliott Sadler
#97 Kurt Busch-3rd in 2002
#28 Ricky Rudd-10th in 2002
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Butner,NC
Autometer fuel level gauge help
Thanks guys for all the help; you made me dug up my old college electronics math book and with my multimeter and some patience I found my problem. I pulled the sender from the tank and the gauge from the dash and checked everything;voltage,amps and ohms.A bad ground at the gauge was giving me a false reading and now the gauge reads accurately within 1/8; I'll (0) it in later with the variable resistor. Thanks again.
