"All connections seem to be tight and clean."
Ted, Loosen and retighten all the connections in the off chance what seems clean and tight really has an invisible layer of metallic oxide insulating the connection. It usually doesn't to take much break though this thin layer of oxide. This is always a worthwhile first step in trouble shooting since it's free. The second thing would be to inspect or even test the crimp lugs. Way to often owners and technicians doing electrical work install crimp lugs improperly which leads a failed connection between the wire and terminal over time. If you ever see someone working on your wiring that crimps a lug and then pulls it by hand to see if it's ok then he/she is not the one you want working on your wiring. There is indeed a pull test used in the calibration and validation of a crimping process but it is done by a machine that pulls until the wire stretches to failure. The little hand jerk indicates he/she is unsure and is using the wrong tool for the crimp and wants validation it may have worked. Instead of seeing a hand jerk test you want to hear their crimp tool ratchet closed, knuckles go a little white, and then a click before it will release the crimped lug. This type of tool won't let a tired hand get away with a low pressure crimp that just barely grips the wire and is what you would expect a professional to use. The back-up to this, which is not nearly as good because solder wicking up inside a stranded wire reduces it's ability to withstand vibration, is to crimp, hand jerk, and then solder the lug on. Here they know they are doing they are doing the crimp wrong but are attempting to seal the crimp using solder. And the holly grail of crimping would be (what I use) are adhesive lined heat shrink insulated terminals applied with the specified ratchet crimp tool. Failing systems on a boat can risk lives. Phil Agur s/v Wing Tip Secretary/Treasurer Call Sign WCW3485 IC27/270A MMSI 366901790 <http://www.catalina27.org/> www.catalina27.org Vessel Doc# 1039809 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 7:37 AM To: [email protected] Subject: catalina27-talk: Fuel Guage repair I have an 82 with a 5411 diesel. The fuel gauge does not work. Does anyone have any experience with trouble shooting the problem? It could be the sending unit in the tank or the gauge itself. All connections seem to be tight and clean. Ted Pinelli 5082 Andiamo _____ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at <http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000437> AOL.com.
