Erradic fuel level reading with Ricks tank

[DRJDVM's '69]

I just put my Ricks tank in about 4 months ago and my fuel level guage is all over the place.... it varies about 1/4-1/3 of a tank on a minute to minute basis. In other words it may say 1/2 full one minute and then the next it says 1/4, then a minute or two later it says 1/3 tank, then back to 1/2 a coupe of minutes after that. I'm using an Autometer guage and I've tried 3 diff ground locations all with the same issue. The tank has an in tank Aeromtove pump with a return.

I called Ricks and spoke with Hector..... he said this is pretty normal and that since its a direct reading from sender to guage (i.e no computer in between etc) it reads stuff really fast, so as the fuel moves around, the guage reacts right away. He said Rick had mentioned something about a resistor or diode that may help, and he would get back to me. He said the sender is fine.

Its really annoying when I'm getting below 1/3 of a tank....one minute I'm freaked I need to find a gas station NOW since its on E and then its back to 1/3 of a tank a couple of minutes later. One of these time I'm gonna ignore it and its really going to be empty.....

So are you guys with Ricks tanks getting the same issue ???

[Vegas69]

Definitely need something so it doesn't react that fast. I would figure out your gas mileage and then you will know the range of your car. Reset the trip everytime you refill.

[DB Z28]

i have the same problem

[z066]

mine did the same and still does we even went thru a few different senders.

[Vegas69]

I have a few gallons in my tank and it reads dead empty. I checked the resistance and it .5 ohms. Looking like my sender is junk as well.

[dhutton]

Is the issue that the level in the sump is changing or is it just that the sender is bouncing around in the tank. If the sender is just bouncing around in the tank I think an electrolytic capacitor from the sender line to ground might help filter out some of the bouncing.

Try a 1000 uF capacitor with a voltage rating of at least 24 volts and see if this helps. Make sure you get the polarity correct, plus to the sender and minus to ground.

Here's one from Radio Shack:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102511&cp=2032058.2032230.2032267&allCount=111&fbn=Type%2FElectrolytic+Capacitors&f=PAD%2FProduct+Type%2FElectrolytic+Capacitors&fbc=1&parentPage=family

If it's still moving too much you could try this 4700 uF part:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102508&cp=2032058.2032230.2032267&allCount=111&fbn=Type%2FElectrolytic+Capacitors&f=PAD%2FProduct+Type%2FElectrolytic+Capacitors&fbc=1&parentPage=family

I have a Rick's tank too but I haven't connected the sender to the fuel gauge yet.

Don

[Stuart Adams]

I've had the same problem before, I thought that was normal. :lol: :lol:

[gearheadgarage]

Same story here.....great to 1/4 tank, sloppy all over the board under that level, with 4-5 gallons to spare

[Vegas69]

I found out the problem. I pulled my tank to do some re plumbing and called Hector. They design the tank so the sender is farther off the floor than it probably should be. I had 4 gallons in mine when I drained it and pegged on empty. I checked the sender with my ohmeter and it works fine. I bet what's happening is once you get down to around 5 gallons the float isn't submerged and the sloshing fuel is having a field day with your gauge and soon to be our gauges.

[68protouring454]

if they know this, why no install a longer sending unit?

[XcYZ]

once you get down to around 5 gallons the float isn't submerged and the sloshing fuel is having a field day with your gauge and soon to be our gauges

That won't bother the gauge, but it is annoying.



Jake, I'm guessing that the design that they are using only comes in certain pre-made lengths. It's a floating collar style sending unit, so it's not something that can be modified like and old school setup with the float on an arm. Maybe one solution would be to place the sending unit in a different part of the tank that is deeper/taller?

[68protouring454]

scott, yeah fuel senders suck,lol
i know they make adjustable ones for fuel cells, similar to what they use, generally they have 8-12 ones and 10-14 inch ones, etc

[Vegas69]

if they know this, why no install a longer sending unit?

My understanding is it was the advice of the manufacturer of the sending unit. Not thrilled with it really. I guess I'll have a 4-5 gallon reserve. That should get me atleast 50 miles. haha

[holschen]

http://www.hoffmann-speedster.com/us/prod/VDO_2.asp
scroll down to 2/3 to find

CONSTANT REGULATOR FOR FUEL GAUGE
but i quess it´s the same function as the capasitator....:_paranoid

[Vegas69]

Well it looks like the senders are made specifically for Ricks. They recommend 1 inch minimum clearance. http://www.wemausa.com/specifications/ssidweb.htm Mine is 1.25. She said they could make me one from scratch but it would cost out the nose. It would need to be 6.5 inches. It's understandable to need some clearance but over an inch seems like alot. Especially since the float is is really about 1.75 inches off the floor since the clearance is measured from the bottom of the collar.

[DRJDVM's '69]

If you find a solution, let me know because its really annoying....

Mine moves around worse when its low but even 3/4-1/2 tank it still varies alot...

[tony69]

hello i have the same problem with my rick's fuel tank. I have a 69 camaro with the factory center gage, and it reads full most of the time and sometimes when i'm driven slow or thorttle back the gage move up and down but never past the 1/2 way mark . any sugestion?

tony69:willy: :willy: