Is there a fuel gauge expert out there?

Tailwheel Rick

Tailwheel Rick

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Joined
Dec 28, 2019
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35
Location
Ridgeway, VA
After 18 months, I finally got the thrill of putting 10 gallons of fuel in each of the tanks of my 79 7GCBC Citabria. I notice that my gauges read different levels. One was reading nearly full, the other half full. I never understood how the gauge indicator works. 4 screws hold the indicator onto the base, but there is no mechanical or other "connection to the float and lever obviously inside the tank. Is it magnetic? Also, any insight from anyone about how to calibrate so they match and are accurate. The plane likely was not perfectly level but I wouldn't expect with a slightly unlevel stance it would have this much variation. I have attached a couple of photos showing left and right indicators. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.
 

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From my understanding the float in the tank interacts magnetically with the guage itself. Call Dale Gauger at ACA, he can answer all your questions.
 
Get a good dipstick and a watch. As I understand it,fuel gauges are only required to be accurate at "empty."
 
Yep, I think that was lesson #1 when I got my PP 30 years ago: never trust the fuel gauge.

Having said that, I find the best way to calibrate is to note the gauge reading before you fuel, then top up and compare how much you put in to what the gauges said you had left.
 
I believe the fuel gages on the KCAB, ECA and GCBC is strictly a mechanical setup...no magnets involved.
You might have a bad gage or a partialy sunk float.

Chris
 
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