Propane level sensor

[Gardner Yeaw]

Does anyone know how to trouble shoot the propane level sensor in
a '78 FC? Mine always says full. I ran out of propane a couple of days
ago so I know it wasn't really full. The other sensors on the panel
work OK so I am hopeing the circuit board is not the problem. Any
help/suggestions would be appreciated.

Gardner
78FC33

[ebirder2000@...]

Gardner,
From memory, there is a small gauge on the propane tank itself. There is
a wire from that sensor to the panel. Make sure the connection is good. The
gauge on the tank is adjustable by backing off the very small screws that
hold the indicator and turning the indicator. It appears to be a magnetic
pickup
of the float inside the tank.

Steve Anderson
1979 FC 35
Poulsbo Wa.

In a message dated 11/24/2006 6:40:15 PM Pacific Standard Time,
gcyeaw@... writes:




Does anyone know how to trouble shoot the propane level sensor in
a '78 FC? Mine always says full. I ran out of propane a couple of days
ago so I know it wasn't really full. The other sensors on the panel
work OK so I am hopeing the circuit board is not the problem. Any
help/suggestions would be appreciated.

Gardner
78FC33








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[dthollis1961]

Gardner,


Take the wire off of the sensor at the propane tank and ground the
wire. Panel light should show "E" if circuitry other than sensor is
OK. Sensor works 2 ways. There is a magnet inside the tank that
moves the needle on the gauge according to the propane level.
Magnet in tank could be stuck. Electical portion of sensor is 90
Ohms resistance when full and 0 ohms when empty. I just found out
about all of this last week. My needle moved, but the panel stayed
at full. I've got a part number if you need it and a supplier too.
Propane places here looked at me like I had just flown in from
Mars. Lots of propane places don't like selling to the general
public too. You can remove this gauge(sensor) from the tank without
losing any gas.

David Hollis 84 FC35 Springfield,IL


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> Does anyone know how to trouble shoot the propane level sensor in
> a '78 FC? Mine always says full. I ran out of propane a couple of
days
> ago so I know it wasn't really full. The other sensors on the panel
> work OK so I am hopeing the circuit board is not the problem. Any
> help/suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>

[Gardner Yeaw]

David,
Thanks, that makes it real easy to seperate the sensor from the
electronics. My mechanical guage needle works so at least I have a
way to keep an eye on the level. Do you know of a site with
instructions/diagrams on how to replace the sensor? I don't want to
take out the wrong screw.

You are correct about the propane dealers, they don't seem to be on
the same wavelength. Every question I asked when I had it filled
yesterday seemed to get a shrug. I think they don't give advise
because as it goes, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Also I suspect the lawyers may have something to do with it.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dthollis1961"
wrote:
>
> Gardner,
>
>
> Take the wire off of the sensor at the propane tank and ground the
> wire. Panel light should show "E" if circuitry other than sensor
is
> OK. Sensor works 2 ways. There is a magnet inside the tank that
> moves the needle on the gauge according to the propane level.
> Magnet in tank could be stuck. Electical portion of sensor is 90
> Ohms resistance when full and 0 ohms when empty. I just found out
> about all of this last week. My needle moved, but the panel
stayed
> at full. I've got a part number if you need it and a supplier
too.
> Propane places here looked at me like I had just flown in from
> Mars. Lots of propane places don't like selling to the general
> public too. You can remove this gauge(sensor) from the tank
without
> losing any gas.
>
> David Hollis 84 FC35 Springfield,IL
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
> wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone know how to trouble shoot the propane level sensor in
> > a '78 FC? Mine always says full. I ran out of propane a couple
of
> days
> > ago so I know it wasn't really full. The other sensors on the
panel
> > work OK so I am hopeing the circuit board is not the problem. Any
> > help/suggestions would be appreciated.
> >
> > Gardner
> > 78FC33
> >
>

[Gardner Yeaw]

OK, It is the sensor. It moves with a magnet but the resistor is
open, so it always says full. Grounding the lead returns the display
to 'E' so the electronics are working.



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> Does anyone know how to trouble shoot the propane level sensor in
> a '78 FC? Mine always says full. I ran out of propane a couple of
days
> ago so I know it wasn't really full. The other sensors on the panel
> work OK so I am hopeing the circuit board is not the problem. Any
> help/suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>