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I have a secondhand 6 gallon RG gas tank and am working on fitting it to my carb 1990 FLHS. I have assembled all the parts I need and have also sorted out fitting it to my bike. There is just one small challenge to overcome!
I don't want to mess with my stock tank and fuel level sender, so bought a modern fuel level sender, hoping it will work with the fuel gauge on my bike. It has the part # 75281-08 moulded into it. The good news is it does work (outside the tank, I haven't tried it fitted inside yet), but only lifts the needle just above the red zone on my fuel gauge, when the sender float is in the 'full' position. The needle responds to moving the float arm up and down, but not across the whole width of the gauge.
So do any of our experts have any ideas? I suspect there is some electrical difference between my Evo gauge and later bikes, but can anyone suggest how I might persuade the needle to register 'full' on my gauge? If I can crack this my cup of joy will overflow!
There will be cake and coffee over in the Evo section for the winning suggestion!
you must have a difference in Impedance (ohms resistance) between the 2 units.
check with a meter, they should both read "zero" in one position, and then the resistance should increase as the float is moved to a maximum level- that resistance needs to be same.
if the resistance is differing across the entire sweep, you may be looking at changing out the gage itself- or maybe not if you are running into analogue versus digital.
it may be that the newer system uses a control voltage which is "translated" by the ecu ( or other processor) then outputted to the gage. ( typ[ical that 5 volts dc is applied to the sensor ( float) and the difference is subttacted to determine level---5 volts would be full, 0 volts may be empty- with a curve inbetween. But each of these voltages ( max and min range) would need be discovered.
hmmm
trip meter?
good news is that you will have a reserve, yes?
I think the best end result may be a bodged analogue sender from an older model---
how does that tank fit on your frame back bone?
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Feb 25, 2011 at 12:06 PM.
Thanks Mike. I have two multi-meters, an old cheap analogue one that is not very sensitive, and a supposedly good quality digital one - that is dead! Nothing, no display, no user servicable parts inside. I don't use these things very often and on an occasion when the modern one could have earned its keep, it has let me down. I shall have to call on a pal of mine who is bound to have the latest wizzbang meter.
Yes the bike has a trip, also I have a Pingel valve with a reserve position, but it would so make this mod right if the fuel gauge worked....
The new sender is mostly plastic and I planned to hang it from the plastic 'top plate' that lives under the chrome tank console. The old Evo sender is mostly metal and quite heavy, which is why I innocently chose the newer one. Ah well - if all else fails I will make do without. I'll report back!
Last edited by grbrown; Feb 26, 2011 at 03:53 PM.
Reason: Expanded.
Installed a new battery in my digital meter and it works! So does the sender it seems. What I have is 40 and 251 ohms at each end of the float travel, which is in line with my Evo service manual, so in theory it is OK. I'll go ahead and build it in and hope when properly installed it works as it should. I have a small fabrication and some wiring to knock up first.
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