Help! Fuel Gauge Resistor?
 

Anybody know what I can replace this with?

It went across the posts on the back of the fuel gauge.

I assume from its construction that it's a resistor of some kind. If anyone knows where I can get one of these, or the resistance needed so that I can rig something, please let me know.

Thanks!

Schaggy

I measured it before, i believe it was 30 ohms. If so digikey has a siutable replacement. they also will have any other value you might need. this one is a 5 watt-er, and is 1" long. Wrap the leads around once, cut off excess and tighten down the nuts.

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...e=ALSR5F-30-ND


From your picture, it looks like the wire is still intact. that means you can still measure it, with a Ohm meter. If your not familiar with them, take it to a local TV repair shop, and ask them to measure the resistance for you.

Better yet, take it to Radio Shack. Those guys have nothing to do all day and will be glad to see someone come in.... Some of them even know how to use an ohmmeter. (Unless you know the guy, TV repairmen need money to do work.)

Are you sure that was across the fuel gauge?
Edit- ok minor brain fart...of course the fuel gage has one and it should be green if I remember correctly...I've got some numbers written down for them.
Lt blue-123 ohms
green -89
yellow-88
orange-86
blue black-81

If it is 89 (90) ohms, As was my second choice, this will do you. Radio shack doesn't carry 90 ohm power resistors, just 100 ohm-ers. TV guy shouldn't charge you to take a resistane reading unless he's an... 'You be the judge'. Most Radio Shack guys i'v seen lately wouldn't know how to use a Multimeter to test a battery. :eek:

just shy of 1" long, insulated except for the leads, 5W power capable.

install as stated in original answer.

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...?name=91W-5-ND

I wonder now if I measured them correctly.You mentioned 30 ohms and I came up 81 to 123.I looked in the manual I cant find a list of their values.

I couldn't find them listed either,, so I'm assuming it's a 90, from your measurments. Which should match the sender resistance. I measured mine when I had it out a year and a half ago, just remember it being a single value related to the sender reisitance. 90 ohms is probably it. :thumbs:
the wire on his apprers to still be intact,, so he should be able to get it measured or measure it himself.

I'm quite sure the resistor in the sender is 90 ohms.
Regards,
Alan

No one's talking about the resistor in the sender, were talking about the resistor across the back of the fuel gauge.

If I am not mistaken the risistor in the photo is the one attached to the fuel sending unit in the gas tank. The float arm rubs against it to send the signal to the gauge in the cockpit. It is not a type like eveybody is showing in the link to Digikey. I don't know where to get one but if anybody does a post here would help. The ones shown so far wont work at all. The resistor that is needed works like a variable resistance or a potentiometer (spelling?). The original one is about 1/2 inch x 2" in length.

"It went across the posts on the back of the fuel gauge."

Do you still have continuity through the resistor? If so why couldn't you tape or epoxy it to a popsicle stick or a small strip of plastic to keep it from flexing. Put it back on the gauge and see if it works.

Since the wire is still intact, just use an ohmeter to measure the resistance from one end to the other. You could epoxy the substrate back together, but putting epoxy on the wires will make it difficult to dissapate heat. You could replace it with a 5W power resistor of approximately the same value. Remember, you just want to know when your tank is getting low...not how many gallons you need to put in.

About Testing
 

First off, thanks to everyone who's posted. I'd never straighten this out on my own.

Putting the thing on an ohmmeter seems like a great idea, but the wire is kinked in a number of places. Now I'm not an electrician, but I'd think that the kinks would change the resistance (impedance?). Does anyone know if this is true?

-Schaggy

The 'kinks' change NOTHING. If the wire isn't broken, it still carries the same resistance. Just measure the darn thing and let us know what you get. We're trying to help you.

Running Man,
You mentioned the fuel sender ohm number in your post and that you thought it was 90 but couldn't quite remember. I was concurring.
Regards,
Alan

Alright, thanks. best bet it just measure the thing and then replace it. 5w 91 ohmer will be more the adequate. C,. :thumbs:

Got it Tested
 

It is 90 Ohms. I'll be picking up the proper resistor at the local electronics store this weekend.

Thank you all for your help!

-Schaggy