Lund goofy gas gage fixed!

[fuzzy]

Just wanted to do a follow up and thank MIKSUP or Mike for his advice on how to fix my goofy gas gage on my Lund Pro V. Sounded like a lot of people have the same problem I did in that my gage read Full or almost full all the time regardless of the level of fuel in the tank. As Mike suggested I call Livorsi Marine 847-548-5900 in Grayslake, IL and they shipped my a new capacitance probe cut to length and calibrated. I put it in and my gage now works wonderfully. I don't understand why Lund doesn't put these in at the factory instead of the cheesy float unit. Thanks for the advice Mike and I encourage others with this problem to call Livorsi. NO I DON'T WORK FOR THEM OR RECEIVE COMMISSIONS! They were a pleasure to deal with.

[FJH1]

Thanks Fuzzy and Miksup. I called them today and am going to have them cut and calibrate a sender for me also. This thing really sounds like the ticket to accurate gas tank readings. Again, thanks for the update.

Best Regards,

FJH

[The Great Guide]

How much is this unit? Can an all thumbs mechanic, like me, install this unit? Thanx. TGG

[fuzzy]

The probe was $59, it cost $8 for them to cut and calibrate it, plus tax and shipping. I had them send mine UPS next day. It was very easy to install. I removed the center floor panel from my boat which exposed the gas tank. The old float and sensing unit is mounted to a round metal plate which screws into the top of the gas tank (threaded inserts). The round plate was about 2 3/4" diameter with 5 screws. The Livorsi probe had a round plate with a new gasket and identical hole pattern. The only thing I had to do was get some longer SS screws because the new probe mounting plate is thicker. The other thing you have to do is run a new 12 +wire from the battery to the probe, but this was very simple since the probe is located only about 4' from the cranking battery on the ProV and with the floor board off it was easy to route the wire into the battery compartment from the probe. It was quite easy and highly recommend the change. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

[The Great Guide]

Thank you. Heading for Canada today. I'll look it to this when I return. TGG

[Mark W.]

Come see me if you need the longer ss screws, we got em....:-)

Set the Hook!!

Lundman

[BATMAN]

Fuzzy,
I have a 1997 1775 Pro-V deluxe with the
same problem with the screwy gas gauge. If
I call Livorsi Marine, do I need to know
the depth of my gas tank? What model of
Pro-V do you have, and how long was your
probe. The gas gauge has been so annoying.
The only way I can tell how much gas I have
is by stopping, turning of the engine, then
turning key part way. If I have to measure
the probe distance in the tank, could you
tell me how you made your measurements.
Thanks, Batman

[miksup]

It's best if you remove as much if not all of the fuel remaining in your tank for safety reasons. Disconnect all battery leads in the boat. Remove the sender unit completely from the tank. Use a wooden or plastic 12 inch ruler. Measure from the top flush surface of the tank straight down to the inside bottom of the tank. Call Livorsi with this information. While you're waiting for the shipment to get to you find a way to run a switched hot lead to where the sender unit is. G'luck. Mike.

[BATMAN]

Thanks, I disconnect all power, removed the
the flange and inserted a wood dowel. It measured
6 inches. I ended up ordering a 5 1/2" calibrated
probe. I was told the probe will probably work
well with my OMC gauge. They (Wages was his name)
was slightly concerned that our canadian gauges
are different than US gauges. I got them to send
unit UPS next day as you did. Your comment on gas
level, I'm at half a tank. Did you completely
empty your tank? I plan to get my tank level down
to 1/4 or less this weekend before the probe
arrives. What if any other safety conerns should
I have in installing new probe?
Thanks, BATMAN

[fuzzy]

I did not empty my gas tank, although it is probably a good idea. The extra wire you have to connect from the new probe to the battery should be connected at the probe first, then the battery just in case you get a spark. My tank was also 6" deep and I got a 5 1/2" probe. I think this is a good idea since you should still have a little gas left when your gage shows empty. Good luck, I don't think you'll be disappointed, mines' still working great.

[BATMAN]

Thanks for the reply,

With the capacitance probe I still expect to
see a high reading in the gas tank while running
at high speed since the probe is at the back of
the boat. The tank is so long a quite shallow.
The gas would typically pile up at the back of
the tank . The probe should work well at slow speeds. I expect your experience is that the probe provides good dampening (Reduces gage bounce). I'm looking foward to believing my gauge.

BATMAN

[Fin Addict]

A full tank would be far safer than one nearly empty. It's the fuel that is mixed w/ the air that is explosive. I had the same problem w/ my Lund gas guage. I have seen numerous posts re poor guages on Lunds. I replaced mine too. You would think they would simply put an adequate unit in in the first place.

[Bronco]

Unbelievable-- Not only can't Lund build a livewell that doesn't leak, now they can't even measure gas in a can. When are fisherman going to to say they have had enough and tell Lund to shape up. The Lund quality is no longer there- tell them to hire engineers that go fishing and understand what fisherman need. Lund has gone down the tubes. Wake up Lund!!!! I hope these posts will put enough pressure on Lund to change their poor quality ways and improve the quality in their products.

[Lindyrig]

I ordered the replacement sending unit that has been suggested. Im preparation for installing I ran a new hot wire from my fuse box. My existing sending unit that came with the boat has two posts, one with a blue wire attached and the other has two wires coming off of it, a black and a green. My questions, do all three of the existing wires get connected to the new unit along with the new hot wire? I think the blue is for the guage, the black is ground, what is that green wire for? Any help from you guys that installed yours would be appreciated.

[miksup]

Look at the back of your gauge. I believe the blue wire goes to the "S" term or sending unit. The black and green are ground wires. Hook them to any good common ground. G'luck, Mike.

[BATMAN]

Mikesup,
I just finished installing the new probe on my
boat. It appears to be reading dead on. Only
one question, the instructions did not say whether
or not it was normal operation for the gauge to
read full for a split second then move to the
correct level on the gauge. Sorry about using up
your air time on this, but you have been a great
help. Thanks

To: Lindyrig
The the green and black wire were on a ground lug
on my float assembly. They are now on the NEG
center post of the new prob. Last commment, you
said you ran a new hot from your fuse panel. Make
sure it is a fuse panel that is only powered when
you turn your key. On my boat normal operation is
as follows: 1. If the main power switch is turned
on (Lights, bilges, livewells etc) the gas gauge
does not come on. 2. The gauge only operates
when you either turn you ignition key part way
(just to check gas level) or all the way to start
and run engine. One other thing, make sure you
buy (5) #10 - 1 inches bolts to make up for the
thicker mounting assembly of the new probe.

Good Luck, I was pleasantly surprised to see
that these probes are replacement units for high
performance offshore boats where they drivers
demand accuracy from their gauges.

BATMAN (One more satisfied customer)

[Tom]

Hey Bronco, Sorry to dull that axe that you have been grinding but Lund is a year ahead of your post. The 2000 Lunds have all been fitted with a new style non pivoting float and this dealer has not had a complaint on a 2000 gas gauge yet. Keep Cool Tom

[Bronco]

Tom-- Thanks for the reality check. I guess when you spend close to $30,000.00 for a boat rig you start to expect things like a gas gauge that works and a live well that doesn't leak. Sorry I was bringing you down with my own frustations.

[Bronco]

Tom-- Sorry that I'm bummed out about the Lund problems. I guess when you spend close to $30,000.000 for a boat rig we kind of expect the gas gauge to work and the live wells not to leak. Sorry for the bad vibs but I've always been a Lund champion for their quality and this is a little disheartening.

[miksup]

That's the correct operation Batman. There is a moment when you first turn on the key that I suppose there is a surge of power to the gauge. I've had three of them on different motors and they all do that. Glad you like the way it works. Mike.

[FJH1]

Tom, don't take it wrong, but I have a 2000 1800 Pro V SE with a pivoting style gas float that needed to be replaced. Mine was from very early production, so it is possible that it was left over from the 1999 stock, but not "all" 2000 Lunds were fitted with the newer style floats. I'm probably going to replace the float again after reading this thread. The sending units from Livorsi seem like the ticket to accurate readings.

Best Regards,

FJH