Looking for fuel tank senders - 1978 Hatteras 58 Cockpit Motor Yacht

[Timo]

Hey Folks,

I'm looking for three fuel senders for our 1978 Hatteras 58 Cockpit Motor Yacht. I did some googling but it looks like the number of options is large and the ones that would work and fit are very small.

I was hoping someone has already done this successfully and could share part numbers.

Ideally, I would not drill any holes but much rather use the existing service fittings and simply thread the thing in. If I need to service the tanks at any point taking out the sender or the existing cap doesn't seem to make any difference.

For our holding tank, for instance, we recently installed this one which was a direct fit: KUS USA SHS Holding Tank Level Sensor

We just dumped all the additional parts and screwed only the tube right into the existing fitting.

If possible, I would like to repeat this with the diesel tanks.

Cheers
Timo

 

[Captain Ralph]

I have had very good results with Wema / Kus products.
https://kus-usa.com/products/liquid-level-sender/

Another great product would be Rochester.
https://rochestersensors.com/products/fuel-oil-level/

Make sure to verify if your gauges are truly SW or original VDO compatible.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Sams Marine has the original gauges. They also have the senders that sit on top of those if that's what you need.

 

[adt2]

I have had very good results with Wema / Kus products.
https://kus-usa.com/products/liquid-level-sender/

Another great product would be Rochester.
https://rochestersensors.com/products/fuel-oil-level/

Make sure to verify if your gauges are truly SW or original VDO compatible.

What is "SW or original VDO compatible?" Asking for a friend

 

[SEVEN]

A friend of mine just installed new fuel gauges and ran them to the help. All stainless steel and the screwed right into the existing threads. I sent him a message to get the name and ID numbers of those. I also sent you an email/ private message Not sure if you got it or not.

 

[jmooney]

Get Wema senders from Sam’s . They come in different lengths, your tanks probably are probably not the same depth. Sam’s has quite an assortment and we need to support them . They will last for years and are especially good in the water tanks . SW compatible.

 

[Captain Ralph]

What is "SW or original VDO compatible?" Asking for a friend 若

I can not say who did what first nor give exact specs but a rough explanation. Just think the resistance logic is bass-ackwards between the original two standards.
Think of Stewart Warner (SW) as an American standard and think of Vereinigte Deuta-Ota (VDO) as an European standard.

Easily explained difference, a fuel level installation example;
As the resistance from the tank senders is reduced, the fuel gauge goes towards full in a SW installation.
As the resistance from the tank sender is increased, the fuel gauge goes toward full in a typical* VDO installation.

Old red-neck trick, short the wires at a SW sender the gauge pegs full, short the wires at a VDO sender and the gauge pegs empty.

* In pursuit of a larger market share in America, VDO will also sell you SW compatible equipment with their logo on it.
Here is why you can not trust most pukes at a discount auto parts stores, Hatterass & Bertrams are not in their computer like Chevy & Fords and the kid behind the counter has no clue.

Match the original part number when you can. Stay stock when you can. Record all changes in your logs and prints. You and the next owner will appreciate this in the years to come.

 

[adt2]

A friend of mine just installed new fuel gauges and ran them to the help. All stainless steel and the screwed right into the existing threads. I sent him a message to get the name and ID numbers of those. I also sent you an email/ private message Not sure if you got it or not.

Thank you sir. I'm not seeing a private message though...

 

[SEVEN]

Thank you sir. I'm not seeing a private message though...

I sent the private message to the author of this post Timo. He has not been on the forum since he asked this question and he has not replied to the email I sent him.

 

[rwaldrop13]

I have had very good results with Wema / Kus products.
https://kus-usa.com/products/liquid-level-sender/

Another great product would be Rochester.
https://rochestersensors.com/products/fuel-oil-level/

Make sure to verify if your gauges are truly SW or original VDO compatible.

Trying Not To Sink on YouTube has an episode with Wema/KUS and they replaced old tank gages with new senders/gages with no drill/modifications to tanks. Fellow boat in our old marina did same thing on a GB that was similar setup.

 

[adt2]

I've tried to find that episode of Trying Not to Sink and I haven't been able to. I even traded messages with Ed & Lynn and still can't find it.

 

[nmcafee]

I just spent some time searching through their old videos. Please holler if you find the right one.

I've tried to find that episode of Trying Not to Sink and I haven't been able to. I even traded messages with Ed & Lynn and still can't find it.

 

[SEVEN]

Here is what I ordered. If you’re interested in the originals, I will be selling mine for about $30 apiece if you’re interested. They are in perfect working order. I just wanted to go with electronic.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

We just installed a Hart Tank Tender on a 60C. Fast, easy, and reads to within an inch. Most simple gauge you can get and easy to install.

 

[rwaldrop13]

I've tried to find that episode of Trying Not to Sink and I haven't been able to. I even traded messages with Ed & Lynn and still can't find it.

I had that episode bookmarked and can't find it either. I have generic KUS products bookmarked on Amazon, because marina neighbors said they bought theirs that way for Prime shipping and easy return policy.

 

[Timo]

Hey Folks,

Somehow I lost my login details and even though I read all your responses I couldn't answer.

So, I took my old sensors out and decided to go with KUS sensors with 1.5" NPT threads that screw right in.
They arrive tomorrow and on April 11th.
My tank depths are as follows:
Forward and center tanks are about 21" deep, the original sensors were about 18" long, my new ones are 19": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ39Y514
The aft tank (inside the lazaret) is 25" deep, the old sensor is 25" long and the new one I ordered is also 25" long: https://inverterservicecenter.com/s5u-25-inch-single-station-sender-kus-154025

 

[smurph]

Hey Folks,

Somehow I lost my login details and even though I read all your responses I couldn't answer.

So, I took my old sensors out and decided to go with KUS sensors with 1.5" NPT threads that screw right in.
They arrive tomorrow and on April 11th.
My tank depths are as follows:
Forward and center tanks are about 21" deep, the original sensors were about 18" long, my new ones are 19": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ39Y514
The aft tank (inside the lazaret) is 25" deep, the old sensor is 25" long and the new one I ordered is also 25" long: https://inverterservicecenter.com/s5u-25-inch-single-station-sender-kus-154025

I put these KUS senders in all of my fuel and water tanks and hooked them to an Alba Combi analog to NMEA200 converter. Then I filled the tanks and kept track of the resistance values as I filled the keel tanks and configured the Alba Combi to show a linear level to gallon range. No more huge gauge level fall offs after half tank! Just pull your original senders and use them to get the length KUS gauge.

You will love them. With the Alba Combi, you can watch the gauges on your smart phone as you fill up.

I want to do the same for the black water tank but that is going to be a crappy job.

Steve

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Float style gauges will not work in a black tank. They get fouled and stick. The best I've found for a black tank is a Hart Tank Tender. I tried a resistance type that was inside of a pvc pipe but that only lasted a couple of years.

 

[Boatsb]

We've been using the maretron sensors wi5h excellent results. NME2000 native with no moving parts plus easy to configure and calibrate. So far the best incorporation of NMEA2000 I've found.