Fuel Gauge Bounce

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silverboydreamer
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Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by silverboydreamer »

Hi, does anyone have any suggestions to overcome the bounce of the fuel Gauge on my 63 T6 with the oblong tank and filler under the bonnet?, as the fuel sloshes around the tank when the car is in motion the gauge dances around quite a lot. Is there a fix for this or do I just have to live with it.
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by mycar »

PRS sell a fuel needle damper.

https://www.prs356.co.uk/porsche-356-pa ... e-jumping/

It can be fitted to the fuel tank sender or to the fuel gauge itself.

If you're feeling handy you can DIY, it's basically a 5 volt, 4 ohm 0.1 F capacitor.

Image

Works well in smoothing things out... your fuel needle becomes less pogo and more plié.
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Hugo 356
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by Hugo 356 »

Average the bounce to work out how much fuel you have left - you've got the reserve if you get it wrong. Just don't drive into the car in front, hypnotised by the swing...
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Hendrik Moulds
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by Hendrik Moulds »

Just be grateful you have a gauge, some of us have to make do without! :wink:
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by mycar »

Here's a fuel gauge for you Hendrik. :laughing6:

Image
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silverboydreamer
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by silverboydreamer »

Thanks for info, I will try the damper capacitor route, I know you early car guys might think what am I complaining about because I at least have a Gauge, it’s just irritating when the needle jumps from three quarters full to zero then to half.
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soulsonicboy
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by soulsonicboy »

I think I have none of those dampers that I never used on my 912 as it needed a new sender unit in the end. PM me if you want it and I’ll dig it out.
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Ben
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by neilbardsley »

soulsonicboy wrote:I think I have none of those dampers that I never used on my 912 as it needed a new sender unit in the end. PM me if you want it and I’ll dig it out.
Cheers
Ben
I suspect Hendrik's car maybe 6v?

PS I filled my car up to almost spilling point and the gauge said I could get another 1/8 in
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Hendrik Moulds
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by Hendrik Moulds »

neilbardsley wrote:
soulsonicboy wrote:I think I have none of those dampers that I never used on my 912 as it needed a new sender unit in the end. PM me if you want it and I’ll dig it out.
Cheers
Ben
I suspect Hendrik's car maybe 6v?

PS I filled my car up to almost spilling point and the gauge said I could get another 1/8 in
Is there another voltage? :?
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by POR68 »

I fitted a 0.1F cap across the sender terminals about 3 years ago. Works well.
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce- RESULT

Post by silverboydreamer »

Hi further to my post about the fuel Gauge bounce, I have fitted a capacitor ( supplied by a member) to the fuel tank contacts and it has cut down the fluctuation a noticeable amount.
Thanks to all who contributed to the discussion for a successful conclusion.
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356Monkey
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by 356Monkey »

Can I check, are you literally wiring the capacitor across the 2 terminals on the sender? I'd like to fit one on my car but wanted to check - or does it wire in series through on of the sender wires?
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by Ashley James »

My chum who is an electronics engineer suggested that it might need 10mF to damp it completely. It would be across the sender or the meter.
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by mycar »

356Monkey wrote:Can I check, are you literally wiring the capacitor across the 2 terminals on the sender? I'd like to fit one on my car but wanted to check - or does it wire in series through on of the sender wires?
Yes, connected between the 2 terminals.

Image
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Re: Fuel Gauge Bounce

Post by 356Monkey »

Many thanks for the pic - makes perfect sense now

thanks
1964 Porsche 356c (RHD)
1957 Vespa GS 150 VS3
1960 Vespa GS 150 VS5
1960 Lambretta Li125
1963 Lambretta Li150 series 3
1962 Lambretta TV175
1966 Lambretta SX200
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