1020 Fuel gauge issue

Hotflashjr · Aug 17, 2017

I recently replaced the fuel gauge on my 1020 gas with a new gauge from this website. Yes, made in India. I couldn't bring myself to spend $100 for a NOS one I found on flebay. Sending unit is 30 ohms (tested), gauge "should be" 30 ohms based on the original part # it is replacing. Old gauge did not require a ground wire, new gauge has a spot for one. With a full tank of fuel the with ground wire installed the gauge read empty. Took off the ground wire and gauge read full. Ok easy fix. Now I have sprayed 2 acres of pumpkins 3 times since then and no movement on the gauge. Ohm reading is 20 from the sending unit so gauge should be approaching half full. The gauge is pegged at full. The needle does go to empty when the tractor is turned off. Is there anyway to test the gauge to make sure it is a 30 ohm gauge? Do I have something backwards?

Lee B · Aug 17, 2017

Only thought I have is maybe next time hook up sender to gauge before putting it in tank to see if the gauge actually works with the sender while you can test both against each other easily. Easy being the key point here.

This is what you need to do now, but it's not so easy. I'm suspicious of the sender terminal being grounded by wrong construction of the sender somehow, when it's grounded (and it should be) you now have direct connection to ground instead of going thru the resistance coil and that's not right.

And that's all just a guess, don't have one or any direct experience with that gauge system. I will defer instantly to a more informed opinion.

M-MAN · Aug 18, 2017

This is one of those times- coulda, woulda, shoulda. They make units that read from 30 ohms full to 0 ohms empty AND they vice versa with gauges to match. Aftermarket ones can be several times that for either part.

You know the gauge works. You know the sending unit works. What you need is a half a tank of gas(measuring stick,lol) and a potentiometer(variable resistor). Hook the potentiometer inline and turn the dial untill you read 1/2 tank. Glue the knob in place. If the gauge falls as you use more gas you're good to go. If it climbs as you use more gas you're up the creek. It all works well you can measure the resistance of the potentiometer and switch it out with a fixed resistor of that value or use it like it is.

1020 Fuel gauge issue

Hotflashjr

Well-known Member

Lee B

Member

M-MAN

Well-known Member

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