2008 Lightning Gas guage not tracking levels correctly
08-12-2015 | 07:06 PM
#11
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 194
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From: Groton, CT.
Have to agree with all the above, 20+ year multiple fountain owner here, know your rough mileage at fast cruise, know what she holds and do the math. Err on the side caution / safety and top it off whenever possible. I have spent the $ and they will never be accurate. Nature of the beast I guess.
08-13-2015 | 12:26 PM
#12
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,169
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From: Henderson, KY
This is my process, as well. Full means full - anything else means its time to start a refill plan.
I would do a search on the Fountain Forum and you will get tons of examples of this. BUT my rule of thumb (learned the hard way)!!!
Fill it up! Now you know its full!!!
When it starts to move a little and "bounce" but stay close to full you have 3/4 tank. When it comes off of full you have 1/2 a tank or less. (start thinking about a fuel stop). When you are reading between 3/4 and 1/2 Stop thinking about filling up and GO fill up. When it gets to 1/2 or below your lucky if the engines are still running. This is just a rule of thumb that has helped me. I ran out at Lanier poker run and fried a starter thinking it had fuel. Lucky I didn't burn a fuel pump. Spent the rest of the day limping along on one engine. Ran it out of gas 100 yards from fuel dock. Now I fill up before every poker run to be sure. If I'm hanging at my local lakes I can go several times on a tank and not worry about it. BUT I ALWAYS KEEP IT IN MIND!!!
Fill it up! Now you know its full!!!
When it starts to move a little and "bounce" but stay close to full you have 3/4 tank. When it comes off of full you have 1/2 a tank or less. (start thinking about a fuel stop). When you are reading between 3/4 and 1/2 Stop thinking about filling up and GO fill up. When it gets to 1/2 or below your lucky if the engines are still running. This is just a rule of thumb that has helped me. I ran out at Lanier poker run and fried a starter thinking it had fuel. Lucky I didn't burn a fuel pump. Spent the rest of the day limping along on one engine. Ran it out of gas 100 yards from fuel dock. Now I fill up before every poker run to be sure. If I'm hanging at my local lakes I can go several times on a tank and not worry about it. BUT I ALWAYS KEEP IT IN MIND!!!
08-19-2015 | 12:19 AM
#13
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29
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From: Granite Bay Ca.
fountain fuel guage
08-19-2015 | 12:35 PM
#15
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,327
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From: Merritt Island, FL
I always thought it is because the tank is in the middle of the boat and shaped in a V.
No way will that be accurate unless you are on plain and then because of the shape still not linear.
Isn't that a issue with any V hulls? Or do others have flat bottom tanks?
No way will that be accurate unless you are on plain and then because of the shape still not linear.
Isn't that a issue with any V hulls? Or do others have flat bottom tanks?
08-19-2015 | 01:14 PM
#16
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 516
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From: Michigan
My dad and I were talking about this last weekend. I think it's a common problem depending on how the boat sits in the water (sitting still vs on plane). He has the same issue on a new Chris Craft Corsair. The only accurate way in my opinion is with Smartcraft or similar digital gauges that measure how much fuel you've added and consumed.
10-26-2016 | 06:06 PM
#19
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,325
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From: Northern NY
Having owned a couple Fountains myself, the rule I follow is ....
when she shows 1/2 fuel begin to think about fuel!
when she shows 1/4 fuel be very close to a fuel dock, or have a paddle!
it is just the way this chit works, you can try to out think it all you want. not going to work. Learn how your boat responds to the gauges. Every boat is different, had a Velocity that when one tank ran out, engine died, the other would idle along for 20 minutes, don't ask how I figured that out. But a Fountain that had gas towed me back to the dock.
when she shows 1/2 fuel begin to think about fuel!
when she shows 1/4 fuel be very close to a fuel dock, or have a paddle!
it is just the way this chit works, you can try to out think it all you want. not going to work. Learn how your boat responds to the gauges. Every boat is different, had a Velocity that when one tank ran out, engine died, the other would idle along for 20 minutes, don't ask how I figured that out. But a Fountain that had gas towed me back to the dock.
10-26-2016 | 06:36 PM
#20
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6
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From: Dublin, OH
Hey thanks for the info! I have heard the same and you are about spot on! My port gauge isn't registering anything but the gauge works so indef need to replace that one but the starboard motor does due to being out of gas when it was showing between 1/4 and 1/2 on the gauge. Figured I would replace the starboard while doing the port since it was that far off
