Has anyone done this before?

[TRDon]

I really want my gauges working again for my rear bags (used to be tanks) I have been looking at engineering a setup to make use of the factory sender.

I was wondering if anyone else has done this type of setup before and if you did how did you do it. I have been bouncing some ideas around but havent come up with that ureka idea yet.

Any help?

[Mikeski]

I was playing around with some washing machine level controls for a while but did not use them in the end. Pretty much just need to use a pressure gauge at the bottom of the sack. As it fills the water gets heavier creating more pressure at the base of the sack. In concept it's simple but it may be difficult to find a decent gauge.

I am pretty sure you could use a pressure transducer and one of these to do what you want:
http://www.alliedelec.com/search/pro...px?SKU=5720005

[Mikeski]

OK, you got me going on this one...

water weighs 0.036127 lbs/cubic inch

So a 10" tall sack will generate 0.36127 PSI when full assuming it is vented at the top so it does not create any internal compressive air pressure like we see with a typical fat sack. If you can find a simple gauge that registers full scale at 0.5PSI you might have what you need, maybe not as easy to calibrate as the digital gauge... Could be a fun project. Good luck.

[AirTool]

How about some Rosemont 3051 transmitters and an Allen Bradley PanelView PLC? Might could get 'er done for about 10K with used stuff off ebay.

Probably the simplist and most reliable method would be to tube tell tale u-tube lines to someplace visible and mark the levels. I know, very shabby. But quite reliable. They will be more accurate if located near the bag. Otherwise, you'll have to level the boat flat to read them correctly.

Another way might be to get a vertical float/wire fuel level sender and locate it in a tell tale tube mounted vertical inside the compartment next to the bag.

Low dP pressure transmitters are $$$$$$.