Fuel pump idiot light?

[LaveyT]

My saddle fuel tanks are not well suited to gauges.after 1/2 tank the gauge just bounces a bit.I was thinking about wiring an idiot light off of the old fuel pressure warning switch from my old VRO junk.Its all removed and I have a electric pump now.Has any one done this or are most pepole using fuel pressure gauges?

[Techno]

If an idiot light comes on at a just below low pressure it would be fine. But if your running low fuel pressure (EFI) and the light isn't on yet your cooking the motor.

A fuel pressure gauge is a nice tool to have. If you have any performance problems it's sitting right there in front of you and short cuts the long trouble shooting thing.

Not sure if this gauge would eliminate your problem but it's electronic and is calibrated for your tank. You add a gallon then tell the gauge it's a gallon... So on and on till the tank is filled. Then it tells you in real gallons how much is left or used, percent and whole bunch of other simple stuff.
It might work with your fuel slopping around since it's electronic or smart, it may have a delay thing in it. It's digital and ugly as hell.

THey apparently have more now. When I bought mine there was only 1 to choose from.

http://www.cruzpro.com/tl25.jpg http://www.cruzpro.com/

[LaveyT]

I think alot of the problem is the approx 1'x1'x4 or 5' long gas tanks.strange stuff happens,today I had it backed up a very small incline and the pickup was out of the fuel so the Holley was just sucking air down thru the gas fill thru the fuel and out of the pump you could here it bubble when i turned the fuel pump on.Since there is no vent on the rear of the tank and I had the valve shut earlier the air pocket got hot and expanded and forced fuel out of the fuel fill cap/vent with only six gallons or so in a sixteen gallon tank.I just dont trust my sending unit much since the fuel can slosh around and give a half ass level reading but how much fuel?The tanks are like a pop bottle laying flat with fuel sloshing from end to end.

[Rickracer]

.....it has no float, but a pressure tube. They eliminate the gauge needle bounce.

[LaveyT]

I will have to check that out

[Rickracer]

I can save ya a few bucks. :cool:

[ShorePounder]

Sounds like a hydrostatic tank gauging setup. I'd be curious as to how accurate it is under varying conditions. I know Gaffrig doesn't play around so I'd hope it was relatively true.

[Techno]

I think you need a surge tank. It's more to rig but 1st pump fills a tiny tank and a 2nd pump sucks from this always full tank.
Your problem is only partially you don't know how much fuel is in the tank and mostly a supply problem?

A solution I came up with without tank modification for vent pumping is to rig the vent to a portable tank-runs to the tanks suction. The caps vent becomes the overboard vent. Extra fuel get pumped into and then sucked out of it when it cools at nite. May not be needed for your tanks.

[Liqui-Fly]

Chuck makes a unit that works off of an adjustable pressure transducer. You need a mechanical gauge to set it exactly where you want it but other than that mine has been great. You can set it as close as you want. The unit has a brite flashing LED that is about 1/2" in diameter.

David

[LaveyT]

I was thinking today of the need for an adjustable transducer.I have the old VRO piece out but it may not acctuate till one psi or some such low number.If you could set it to go off as soon as the system starts to lose pressure,say 4-5 psi it would give a little more warning.
Yes Techno the problem is really in knowing when the fuel is about to run out.The delivery is ok its just a mystery as to how much is left in the tank.I suppose I should remove the sending units and see if there is anything i can do with them.But I like the Idea of a warning if the pump fails for any reason.I was looking in Jegs today and noticed 15,30 and 50 psi warning light tranducers.Not to mention the lights themselves.
Thanx Fly,Chuck is da man!
What is Chucks website? (if he has one)

[fasteddie]

I have a 1 gallon aluminum purge tank that you are welcome to if you want it.I belive if we look hard enough we can probably find the mounting holes.I took it out due to the fact that I did not like running 2 fuel pumps.If you put a fuel PSI guage in your boat you will notice that below around 5 gallons, you will lose all fuel PSI upon decelleration.Let me know and I will try and find it if you want it.
Ed

[LaveyT]

Two fuel pumps ehhh? Sounds like I would need the 35amp flywheel for sure then.I will let ya know for sure,I am gonna test my ok vro switch today.I still have a can of Clippard stuff that I think includes a regulator and a mechanical gauge.I will have that motor back on the hose this week.

[Liqui-Fly]

Chucks number is 318-965-0201

The trasnducers is adjustable only for a particular range. Aids with accuracy I suppose. He'll set you up with what you need. When I rigged my 260 I was getting into all that fuuny bunny fuel pump surge tank trash. It got so ridiculous and the cost to do so was up over $500 and then I looked at myself in the mirror and said "get a grip". If you are racing and trying to carry as little fuel as possible I say go for it but otherwise..... Keep it simple.

I've run my tank very low a couple times and the light flickered and reminded me to take my foot out of it a bit. Very happy with the unit. Not to mention, when you buy something from Chuck, everything you need to install the unit is there. Not to mention the price isn't that much more than a transducer from JEGS.

David

[H2OPERF]

LT. If your talking about the pink switch from you r old vro system its a vacuum switch not pressure,its there to sound the horn if there is a restriction in the suction side of the punp.Go to napa they have low oil pressure warning switches for cars with all different settings.I have one on my water pressure,it turns a light on with low water pressure <3psi. great when haulin ass and not looking at the gages.Dave

[LaveyT]

thanx Dave,I just pulled the valve out of a box o parts,i never even considered it came from the supply side.NAPA sounds pretty good.Three psi sounds good also,I would think the sender would work ok with Gasoline?
Ed, was that surge tank out of the Lavey originally? Thanx Dave

[speedracer]

Wont work , call me and I'll tell you why.

[LaveyT]

Ol Speedracer didnt read all of the thread but Knew what I was trying to do.He wanted to tell me that that switch is on the supply side of the system and was vacuum.He agrees the Napa low pressure switch will work.
Thanx to all for the advice/help.I will keep ya posted,Dave