Fuel Gauge Sending Unit Arm Length?

If I adjust the length of this sender to fit my 14 1/2" deep, 48 Ford F-1 gas tank, do I need to add length to the float arm accordingly? It seems that if I don't, the gauge will read full until the tank is about half empty...or am I missing something...

 

you are probably right. If you are to add to the length of the arm will that leave you showing 1/4 tank when you are empty? If you are going to have an inaccurate reading you want it on the full end of the scale. My Honda shows full for way longer than it is actually full,as built from the factory. If it were me I would be most concerned about being accurate on the empty end of the scale, you may not be able to have accuracy on both ends of the scale with a universal sending unit.

 

The arm is a fulcrum with a variable resistor at the pivot point. It is the arc traveled that determines the gauge reading. If your altered arm sits at true empty and travels the same arc, you should be ok.

 

Anyone else?...

 

When I set up my fuel sending unit in the tank I measured the depth of the tank and drew it out on my work bench, then hooked up the sending unit to the guage with a power sorce and adjusted the arm travel within the depth measurement. I kept adjusting until I had an accurate full, 1/2, and empty reading. It was spot on when installed in the tank.

 

try it if this works pleas reply, so i can modify mine i hate when my tank reeds full for ever then drops to 1/2

 

^ this. Measure the total height (max and minimum fuel level) of your tank. Now adjust the pivot point to the exact center of that height, and adjust the float arm length so that at the extreme positions, the float reaches the max full and max min levels, but doesn't go past. Presto.

This ***umes you have a uniform cross section tank. If you have an odd-shaped tank, you can "bias" the pivot point to compensate accordingly.

 

When all else fails, read the instructions. This is for cl***ic intruments, but they are all pretty close. page 27 to 30 http://www.cl***icinstruments.com/UserFiles/File/Installation Manual 101409.pdf

 

Thanks all, SO much, for the responses...they're appreciated. They answered my questions...