WEMA Fuel Sensor Question

[mystic-...@comcast.net]

The fuel monitoring system on my Beneteau 373 has been unreliable for several years.

The fuel gauge reads full for way too long and then quickly falls to empty.

The gauge appears to be working properly, so I suspect the fuel level sensor is bad.

I am considering replacing it with a Wemar fuel sensor.

Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) using the Wemar fuel sensor?

Are there other Beneteau 373 owners that have installed it?

Thanks much,

Joe Burke

S/V Mystic Traveler

Benteteau 373

Castle Harbor Marina, Kent Is. MD

[Rick Donovan]

On Jan 25, 2011, at 9:23 AM, mystic-...@comcast.net wrote:

The fuel gauge reads full for way too long and then quickly falls to empty.

others on the list may have specific experience with this particular brand,  but what you are describing may be adjustable. our 473 gauge acted similarly when we first took delivery. after getting the boat home, and the fuel level down a little, I removed the screws for the gauge unit at the top of the tank and found the sending unit/float arm unit is adjustable to fit a variety of tank shapes. on our unit there were a series of screw holes that could be used to lengthen or shorten the unit which in turn altered what the float would send for information back to the gauge on the instrument panel. 

you say that you stay on full for a long time and then a rapid drop to empty. that makes me think that, if your unit is also adjustable, the unit needs to be shortened a little to allow the float to drop off of full sooner. the float unit can be a bit tricky to work up out of the tank. be gentle. do not force it. rolling the unit around to different positions should allow it to be removed. that is how it was installed so it will come out. just be patient and don't force it as the unit can be damaged. same thing for going back in. be gentle. it may take a couple of adjustments to get it about right. make a relatively small move and try using the boat for a while. then adjust again if you think it needs more. 

Rick Donovan

Biddeford, Maine

[David Fletcher]

Wema is a good product, be sure you get the sender with matching impedance; VDO is different in most cases than north American senders. Be sure it is the sender, it sounds to me like you have a tank that is not uniform, is the tank smaller or narrower at the bottom? If so all gauges will give you the same issue.

 

Fletch

 

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[Mark J Wilme]

Our 381 is the same. I use engine hours to asses range, not the fuel gauge.

Mark J Wilme
mark....@gmail.com

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[moskovitz]

after many attempts to calibrate the sensor on our 473 we switched to the wema unit.  I believe this much more reliable than the oem unit, but still wouldn't entirely rely on it.

Mark
Alkenjibarii
Edgewater, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: mystic-...@comcast.net
To: Benetea...@googlegroups.com
Cc: mystic-...@comcast.net
Sent: Tue, Jan 25, 2011 9:23 am
Subject: {Beneteau Owners} WEMA Fuel Sensor Question

[Jeffrey]

Joe I highly recommend the Wema brand sender…they are by far the best available.  http://www.wemausa.com/tank_sensors/tank_level_sensors.htm

I use them on our own boat as well as all our client’s boats too.

 

Jeffrey Schwartz

 

From: benetea...@googlegroups.com [mailto:benetea...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of mystic-...@comcast.net

Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 9:24 AM
To: Benetea...@googlegroups.com
Cc: mystic-...@comcast.net

Subject: {Beneteau Owners} WEMA Fuel Sensor Question

--

[CaptnBobCT]

Hi Mystic:

I also have a 373 (2007, hull 373, "IIWII") based out of Mystic, CT
(Noank).

I had the exact problem. Turns out Beneteau never calibrated the
sender! I was able to correct by calibrating the VDO fuel sender.
This involves cutting and adjusting the pivot of the sender. The only
tough issue is resealing the gasket for the gauge. We can no longer
attach files, but I was able to locate the instructions on line and
will forward to you if you send me an email. After adjusting to
extent possible, I logged the gauge position vs fuel in tank when
filling the tank, made a chart for reference and have had reasonable
performance.

[Larry Read]

Hello Mystic
We experienced the same problem on our 393. The fuel gage would stay on full until half the tank was used and then fall like a rock. A bit unnerving when on a longer trip. We filled the tank and then used about half the tank based on time used on the engine and fuel consumpion by hour until the tank was about half full. We then removed the fuel sensor and simply bent the rod attached to the float until it showed 1/2 full on the gage. I have read this is not the way to adjust a sensor but it sure worked for us. I would try it before buying a new sendor.
Larry
S/v Diamond Girl
B 393

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