Inzane 17

Need help wiring up gas gauge

Started by Glaserbeam, Sun 20, Jan 2019, 21:34:59

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Glaserbeam

Sun 20, Jan 2019, 21:34:59
Installed Interstate tank on my Standard last year.  Made a cover for the gas gauge opening.  Now bought a gas gauge and can't figure out how to wire it up ... here are the components.  Any ideas?



Bighead

#1
Sun 20, Jan 2019, 22:16:18
Buy an Interstate  :coolsmiley:
1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing

Jess from VA

#3
Sun 20, Jan 2019, 22:32:31
I'm miserable at auto electric, but I do remember some old post here saying that any aftermarket gas gauge on the Valk must be hooked up reversing two sending unit wires from what the directions say to do.

Of course that would assume you have some kind of directions to begin with.

It would seem to me that with or without directions, the thing to do is to get a 12 volt power source and start bench testing.

I cannot read electrical wiring diagrams, but perhaps looking at the one for the interstate gas tank would be useful.

That's all I got.  

Full right up to the neck (and resetting the trip meter), my two interstates get 220mi to reserve with very good consistency.  

longrider

#4
Mon 21, Jan 2019, 00:05:34
C-2 autometer is programmable    Although I have not used it I read here a few times that it works well

DGS65

#5
Mon 21, Jan 2019, 01:52:07
It's a little tough to answer such a question but I will make a guess.  For starters it looks like you are missing a cable that would plug into the end of the sending unit cable.  Once you find this plug you will likely find the wiring instructions.   I'm  would assume that two wires from the five on the gauge harness get wired to the plug the red and black go to ingnition power and the remaining wire gets hooked up to the head light power so you can see it at night.

Glaserbeam

#6
Mon 21, Jan 2019, 02:13:30
Thanks DGS.  I hadn't thought about the headlight power.  That makes sense.  The missing plug/cable you referenced isn't available (the eBay seller knew nothing about it) so I'll just have to experiment.
Ken

The emperor has no clothes

#7
Mon 21, Jan 2019, 09:03:22
Quote from: Glaserbeam on Mon 21, Jan 2019, 02:13:30
Thanks DGS.  I hadn't thought about the headlight power.  That makes sense.  The missing plug/cable you referenced isn't available (the eBay seller knew nothing about it) so I'll just have to experiment.
Ken
You don't need it. Just get some bullet connectors. I remember others saying the interstate sender is setup backwards. I would use an ohm meter to test various levels on the bench. I would check that taped up wiring plug that came with your sending unit. That is not stock.

Jersey

#8
Mon 21, Jan 2019, 12:34:00 Last Edit: Mon 21, Jan 2019, 12:36:35 by Jersey
The 2pin Quick Disconnect plug is usually used for connecting a charger to the battery.
Here's a link on Amazon IF you want to use that.
https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Gauge-Quick-Disconnect-Harness/dp/B0057ZQJ12/ref=sr_1_10?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1548097758&sr=1-10&keywords=2-Pin+Quick+Disconnect+Plug

The electrical hookup is fairly straight forward from a math perspective:

Resistance Range of Tank      >>        Resistance Range of Meter
Empty - Full                                            Empty to Full

The confusing part is in matching the two ranges so they lineup.

1. What's the Resistance of the Tank float at Empty and at Full?
2. What the Resistance of the Meter?

You'll need to know these in order to determine the correct resistor you'll need to add to the circuit.

Here are some links that might help:
http://what-when-how.com/automobile/fuel-gauges-automobile/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjYEPOUx_M4

The 'backwards' comment is whether the gauge INCREASES as the tank float resistance INCREASES versus the gauge INCREASES as the Tank float resistance DESCREASES.


Here's another link regarding the Gauge Circuitry:
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-8/voltmeter-design/

Jersey

John Schmidt

#9
Mon 21, Jan 2019, 16:56:19
FWIW, I experimented with reversing the wiring internally on a spare sender, didn't make any difference. Was hoping it would so I could use an automotive gauge, the Honda sender works the opposite of the normal automotive sender. You can get around that but it's a bit involved so won't continue here. As for the # of wires coming off the gauge, seems strange to me cuz my C2 by Autometer sure didn't have all that. What brand is that in the picture? As for the wiring coming off the sender, someone has cut off the OEM connector and hacked in the one in the picture. Give us a clue as to the gauge wire colors are and if there are any instructions with it. I'd probably get a spare battery and a bucket of water set up on a bench and test that stuff first before installing it. And remember, when installing the sender in the tank, the wires MUST exit toward the rear of the tank or the float won't read right. It will test your patience but it will go in that way.

Glaserbeam

#10
Mon 21, Jan 2019, 20:05:50
I found the gauge manufacturer:

http://procycle.autometer.com/CatalogGaugeDetail.aspx?gid=218

It has two black wires and one each brown, purple, red, white.

I'll call the company and ask them for info on wiring it.  Should've thought of that in the first place!

Thanks to all.
Ken

Jess from VA

#13
Tue 22, Jan 2019, 01:52:05
Welcome. 

Savago

#14
Tue 22, Jan 2019, 11:44:41
@Glaserbeam: while doing the job, it would be nice to snap a few photos and share it in the forum (it will help the next person working on his/her valkyrie).
:cooldude:
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