Sender for Smiths fuel gauge

[xb-60]

Me again.
I'm looking for info on the correct (electrically) sender unit for a Smiths Fuel gauge, part no. BF 2300/02
The gauge is an early MGB unit, modified (by me) from single vee bezel to double vee bezel to suit a replica early 289 Cobra.
I can't even find what resistance range it should be.
Can anyone help?

Cheers,
Glen

[Danr55]

Talk to Nick Action. He can even tell you how to calibrate the two.

[strictlypersonl]

Using an adjustable tube sender?

https://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.ph...experience.net

[Gaz64]

Glen,

I have a resistance box (0-10k in 1 ohm steps, 4 knobs 0 - 9999 ohms)

I use it to test gauges in many cars, and you could use one like this to see what ohms you need for full, half, empty etc.

Of course, they are so many others out there now:

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=d...w=1536&bih=676

Gary

[xb-60]

Thanks for the replies.

Dan, I am sure Nick could help me. We have corresponded regarding other Cobra issues several times, but I'll try local (Australia) first.
Bob, I don't know what type of sender I want/need at this stage.
Gary, I believe you that there are plenty of resistance boxes / gauge testers out there (I clicked on your link).


I'm new at this but I've read a little bit about how to setup a sender (mechanically) and tweak the calibration of the gauge.
What I don't know is whether there's a particular type of sender that I should be looking at that suits my MGB gauge, or is any sender able to be used, providing it's calibrated correctly?

From https://www.hotrodhotline.com/instal...r#.W3uS5egzaUl

"Installing A Fuel Gauge and Sender"

"Which Fuel Tank Sender Do You Really Have?
0-30 Ohms (GM Type '64 and earlier)
0-90 Ohms (GM Type '66 and later)
75-10 Ohms (Ford Type '86 and earlier)
16-158 Ohms (Ford Type '87 and later)
90-0 Ohms (Toyota and Nissan '85 and later)
240-33 Ohms (Standard Aftermarket)"

"Therefore it is important to use the gauge and matching sender in your project"


So, bottom line question....any sender is OK (providing its mechanical fit is correct) and calibrate it correctly, or do I need a specific type?


Cheers,
Glen

[strictlypersonl]

See down the link I posted. You should check, but it's likely your gauge is 20/220 ohms.

[xb-60]

Thanks Dan, Bob and Gary for advice. As it turned out, the fuel sender selection ended up being more straightforward than I initially thought.
Sourced the new sender from Gauge Works Gaugeworks - Specialist Gauge Supply, Advice & Calibration Services (Albert Park, Adelaide, SA) where I was told “just plug it in and go”
and that’s how it panned out.


Here’s the sender at quarter full and gauge at quarter full (note position of float):





Here’s the sender at full and gauge at full (float is at the top of its travel):




Can now continue with the tank installation.

I'll post this on the build thread as well.


Cheers,
Glen

[rsk289]

Just a tip: hold the sender next to the tank with the mounting flange as close as you can to the installed angle, and check that the float arm can move through its full arc without hitting any obstacles. Check inside the tank for baffles, too. And be sure to mount it in the correct orientation so it doesn't hit the sides!

Sounds obvious, but we've all been there...

Roger

[xb-60]

Roger, it's not a rotating arm and float. The float is donut shaped (ie hole in the middle) and it just slides up and down the shaft with the fuel level.
I thought I would have to setup the sender correctly and then adjust the gauge to suit at empty/quarter/half/full, but it really was just 'plug-and-play' with no adjustment required whatsoever on my MGB fuel gauge.

Most impressed

Cheers,
Glen

[rsk289]

Ah, sorry, I assumed it was the original MGB type (and Cobra). So you don't get the authentic 'full on right hand bends, empty on left hand bends' effect?

[xb-60]

Don't know....but hope not.
It seems that there are at least three compartments inside the tank, and the baffling looks that good that wild swings of the gauge needle would be abnormal.
The pickup is in a baffled cup as well so that should all but eliminate starvation.
Quite impressive design detail.

Cheers
Glen