adding analog fuel gauge to R29 - need help

[Mastercraft]

I want to add an analog "old school" fuel gauge to a 2017 R29. Does anyone know how I can hook up the power to it? I would think it has to be connected to the same power supply as existing gauge. I spliced into the existing two wires going to float. If you have successfully hooked up auxiliary 2" dia analog fuel gauge to existing gauges, I would love to hear from you. You might ask why. It is like having paper maps as a back-up. THANKS.

 

[bob daily]

The wiring for a analog fuel gage is simple, you need power 12 volts (usually from the key switch) the negative wire is coming from your fuel sending unit reading resistance. If unit has a light that needs to be wired to the running light switch with another ground wire. Usually a wire diagram is provided when you purchase the gage but if not lots of information on the internet on installation of analog gauges.
I'm not sure if you can use the existing sending unit that is installed on your boat you will have to check or install a second sending unit. Good luck on your modification. Bob

Note: the two wires from the sending unit, one is to ground the other is to the gage.

 

[Rocky]

Hi Mastercraft.
I am curious - albeit not my business- Why do you want an analog fuel gauge?
The Volvo display has a digital display from an analog sending unit. as long as all the connections are good, you should get the same reading from the digital display as an analog display would give you.

Again, just curious. My Volvo display works just fine.

Thanks and best of luck.

Rocky

 

[BB marine]

The Ranger 29 with the Volvo EVC panel has a fuel gauge that works better than an analog gauge if properly set up. It just requires proper calibration and it will give you very accurate remaining fuel. I to want to know what is physically in the tank and not rely on the Garmin calibrations. Those rely on you inserting the fuel onboard and the calibrations are within 10%. The Volvo EVC attached to the sender is real time what is in the tank. IT MUST BE CALIBRATED!! IT WAS NOT CALIBRATED FROM THE FACTORY TO GIVE YOU ACCURATE READINGS. the Fluid Motion calibration is called the 100% full calibration which is inaccurate. The manual will tell you it works but not reliable. I did the calibrations that are recommended and took it a step further. This calibration gave me better accuracy then the Garmin.

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=10780&hilit=+Calibrating

If you are installing an old style analog gauge to the sender make sure it matches, American Standard sending units the unit will read 240 ohms at empty and 33 ohms at full (+/- 5 ohms).

The power will not be able to come off the Volvo start panel unless you install a relay. The easiest way to power the gauge is install a fuel gauge switch that comes off the house panel and is powered separately from the engine. Make sure to remove the leads at the fuel sender that go to the Volvo panel. You do not want them hooked up if you are powering the sender fro another 12V source.