25D fuel gauge question..

[John Laton]

Hi,

I am a previous CD25, PS Flicka 20 and Com-Pac 27 owner who recently acquired an 82 CD25D and I do hope this will be 'it' for a while !

Upon fueling for the 1st time I found there was no fuel gauge on the tank (just what appears to be a tab on the cleanout/cap that a wire lead would slid onto) and no gauge mounted anywhere. I am going out on a limb to say I believe it is an original tank. Does anyone know if there are replacement tank gauges available ? Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,


John
Paradox
CD25D #55

[Ray Garcia]

Last month I removed the tank; cleaned the tank; and replaced all rubber fuel hoses. Then I also replaced the original (deteriorating) cork float on the original mechanical gauge.

The part(s) are available from

http://www.e-components.net/4holegauge.htm

Cork/gasket/gauge approx. $25

Make sure you are specific with gauge. CD27 uses a full sweep, Jr. size gauge.

Hope this helps.

[John Laton]

Looks like a good source. I think I need to pull whats there, take some measurments and have a look around. As your site mentioned it's adjustable to tank depth and the price sounds right. Nice job ! Thanks.

[Steve Laume]

John, my original fuel gauge was mechanical with the cork float. I replaced the tank last year with a tank from Florida Tanks, the original vendor. The new tank came with the set up you describe. You need to purchase an electric fuel gauge. Power and ground go to the gauge. I used a feed off of the alternator that supplies power when the ignition key is turned on. The S terminal on the gauge goes to the sender, which is what you have in your tank. Mount the gauge anywhere you want. I couldn't decide where the best place would be for the gauge so I made a bracket and it is still in the port locker right above the tank. It could be somewhere down below or in the instrument panel if you had room. I would have been perfectly happy with the old mechanical gauge but I suppose it is a modern world and that is progress, Steve.

[John Laton]

Steve,

That sure is another avenue of possibilities. I'll have to do some more investigation around the tank area to see if there might be some hints and check the sending unit before replacing it with a mechanical one. I suspect the absence of a wire and gauge would indicate either the gauge or sending unit went south and the PO did not bother to replace it... I think he liked music more than navigation since he mounted huge speakers on the bulkhead under the compass and I was a good 77 degrees off for the start of my first voyage home ! Good thing the fact we were heading for long island instead of up the NY/CT shoreline gave us the hint.

I'll look some more for the gauge but if there is none would a new one have to match the sending unit ?

My first time sailing called for an overnight in Noank shipyard and I try to make it a stop each Summer.. love a casual sail up the Mystic river. I'll look for that 30 !

John

[Steve Laume]

The PO might have replaced the tank and never bothered to hook up a fuel gauge. I believe the tank label has the date of manufacture on it. If the tank is much newer than the boat it may give you another clue. The hardest part of hooking up the gauge was mounting it somewhere. You could also give Florida tank a call as they were very helpful when I was working on replacing my tank. Where is your home port these days? The 25D is a great boat, Steve.

[jddj]

Here is what I di and it works fine. Installed Tempo Electric receiving unit, #280080 and tank conversion sender unit, TEM-420110. Unit connects to ignition on hot wire and grounds through tank. Only records when engine is running.

[John Laton]

Thanks to everyone who responded. The board is such a great resource as always.. and yes I printed out the CDSOA form ! I was 'unofficial' in the race out to block island from Nappatree the CDSOA had in 2000 with my old cd25.. as I remember it was a windy lumpy ride for our smaller CD's.

My home port is Oyster Point Marina in New Haven Harbor. I work in New Haven and it's great for after work sails. I live across the street from Port Milford marina in Milford harbor.

I've been to Guilford with my older cd25 and tied up against the sea wall for an overnight stay.. the harbor master was great but the band kept us up till 2am !

I'm off to the vessel armed with lots of ideas thanks to everyone !

John