gas gauge

[lgibson]

I have a std valkeryie that I put an IS tank on with a new sending unit. The sending unit has 2 wires and the fuel gauge I got from Joop has 3 wires. Help?

[John Schmidt]

Need more info than that. Did you get any instructions with it, any clue as to what the three wires are for? My guess is one wire is a ground, one is hooked to the sender in the tank, one is for 12v to illuminate the gauge. One wire in the sender from the tank is ground so only one sends signals.

[lgibson]

The sender has 2 wires. Is one of them ground?

[gordonv]

I know there is old posts about IS tank and aftermarket fuel gauge.

Also how some use "polarity" for showing whether full or empty.

[John Schmidt]

The sender has 2 wires. Is one of them ground?

Read the last line in my original reply. Re. your question; yes!

[Firefighter]

Haven't looked at the Valkyrie wire diagram, but most fuel gauges have a power (12 volt), a ground, and a sender wire and maybe a power and ground gauge light. Sending units have a ground and a sender wire. Gauge should be marked. Sender to sender, grounds to frame, and power to key on power source.  Firefighter

[Dorkman]

Honda ground wires are typically green.  Should narrow it down.

[joop angelier]

The gauge has 3 wires:
Red=positive 12 Volt
Black=negative ground (frame)
Yellow=signal from sender

The sender has 2 wires:
One to the frame or negative battery connection
One to the gauge.

Greetings Joop

[cogsman]

I have a few questions guys, can you help me?

Like the OP, I have an IS tank on my standard.



I intended to get a new sending unit (the one that I have has had the wires removed) and a gauge from motosens or Autometer. Before I spend any money, though, Questions:

1) Can I cut off the wire harness end on the new sending unit (the one that would normally plug into the IS plug) and splice wires onto those to run them where I need them?
2) If so, what size wire do I need to run this current (wire gauge)?
3) Will the gauge work even if I don't choose to illuminate it? I am asking because I have no idea how to tap into a 12V switched supply, and most of these gauges say that you need to fuse that connection. It's a bit beyond me, as I have never done any electrical jerry-rigging on this bike. So I'd be tempted to just cut that wire and not bother. I rarely ride at night and if I did, I doubt the lack of an illuminated fuel gauge would bother me. On the other hand...
4) Are there any step by step instructions on how one would tap into a 12V switched circuit on a Standard? If it's easy, I may give it a shot.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[gordonv]

I can't answer all the questions, but from what I see, you should be able to solder a new wire onto the sending unit. The other one, I would be sure is a ground. So a wire with a connector on it, bolted under one of those nuts should work.

1st, I would be remiss to say, who needs a fuel gauge? I've just had my GW for 3 years (sold it) with a fuel gauge, and I've missed having a petcock with a reserve that whole time. I do not drive by my fuel gauge, but how far I can drive before fueling up. Knowing how much fuel is in the reserve, how many miles I went to get to reserve, I know EXACTLY how far I should be able to go till empty. This is more value to me than what a gauge is telling me.

As for attaching the fuel gauge, follow the instructions that come with it. Most likely it will be new, so it should show you the proper info. Like said, 3 leads. Ground is easy. Power should be there, and would most likely have the fuse. The last lead is that one from the sender. I would think again that the instructions would tell you what gauge wire to use.

It will all be custom, so anything you have around, spade/bullet connectors, male/female, should work fine.

Find your gauge first if you're going ahead with it. Then come back with anymore questions you need answering.

[cogsman]

This is very helpful gordonv thanks!  When I look at that sensor, I see 3 connectors. One the centre, one to the left of that, and one that looks like a spade connector at the bottom. Any ideas on what's what?

I agree with you re mileage. I just figure if I have an IS tank why not take advantage of this feature.

[Firefighter]

The fuel senders I have worked with have all been the same. The spade will be a ground and needs to ground to frame. The other two wires one will be a sender wire that needs to connect to the sender lug on your gauge, the other wire will also be a ground.

If there is enough wire to see colors the book says one wire is a green and black and that one goes to ground, the other wire is a gray and black and I can't see where it goes but should connect to the sender on your gauge.

Gauge will have a ground, a sender, and 12 volt with key on and then light wires.

I would extend the wires and connect to your gauge and figure it out before you install either. Once you connect the wires to gauge and sender, short the sender wire to ground and the gauge should go full.

I have not worked with the IS fuel gauge, but this is how most simple fuel gauges work.

Let us know how it goes!

[gordonv]

Sorry, wasn't too clear. The one on the center round, pointing to the lower left bolt, that would be the sender. It's a variable resister. The one at 9 o'clock, is the ground. The one at 6 o'clock bottom, is the hold down for the wires from the sending unit. It bends down and "clamps" the shielding of the wires.

You should be able to soldier another wire onto that sender. Don't overheat it. I'm sure it's insulated from the metal, but you don't want anything else to melt, while doing it. Have the replacement wire ready, pre-tinned, melt it onto the wire, then have a very wet sponge close by to cool it off. You'll need to add heat shrink or something else to cover any bare wire.

I don't see a 3rd connector. Does the above fill in the answers?

My IS had the sender mounted incorrectly. The one in the pic is mounted correct, the wire hold down at that 6 o'clock position. Mine was at the 9 o'clock, and wouldn't work right, can't remember if it didn't read full, or wouldn't go past 1/3 full, but either one, it was quite useless. By the time I learned about it, the bike was gone. I find the gauge on the GW just wasn't clear enough to show how much fuel is left.

[Firefighter]

If there are only two wires then it is simple. The center is the sender and the 9 oclock is the ground.

[cogsman]

Gordonv and firefighter,  much thanks. I'll work on it over the next little while