VX21 fuel gauge

[buck818]

Does anyone know a way to calibrate the fuel gauge? Not getting a very accurate reading.
Thanks

[KennyVexus]

They all suck. It is actually the crappy float sensor in the tank not the gauge that sucks. The gauge only displays what it is told.
Marine tanks are odd shaped and have no baffles to stop all of the sloshing. Also we are constantly tilting the tank in all directions.
Most sensors work like potentiometers. Like a volume knob. The more you turn it the louder the music. The higher the float the higher the reading on the gauge.
The best way to adjust this type of system is to have the boat in the water with a verified half tank of fuel. Then pull the sensor out of the tank and bend the rod and install it and keep doing this until it says 1/2 tank.
All this is usually impractical and may not even be possible on most modern bass boats. Even so, if the tank is odd shaped it will never be correct because 10" off the bottom may be 1/2 tank and 14" off the bottom of the tank may be full.
"Not getting a very accurate reading." is probably better than most of us are getting.

[unpaulie]

I use gallons burned on the left gauge. Easier to calculate additives as well.

[ifishinxs]

Vessel view mobil app keeps track of my fuel burn.

[zaprod71]

My gauge sux. Most times is reads 1/4 tank, regardless. Sometimes it works, it never gets "stuck" at anything but a 1/4 tank. What I mean is, it says 1/4 and is wrong, or it works accurately.

[Trent R]

My gauge is also piss poor. The fuel gauge on my electronics is pretty accurate if you reset it after getting fuel. If you have garmin electronics I will tell you were to look
.

[scgreg]

Same problem on my VX20. Concerned that as some new "long runs" head my way that the uncertainty will cost me time to refuel just to be safe.

[swimnfish04]

I have a DVX. I believe we have the same gauges. Mine has been accurate, but I believe I saw a procedure to calibrate the smart craft gauges in the smart craft manual.

[buck818]

Thanks for all the responses. I have not looked on the smart craft manual. I will do that and see what I find.

[Trent R]

Scgreg just far are you planning to run?
I am sure you can run 150 miles on a tank.

[ifishinxs]

A Fuel gauge in a boat is about as worthless a speedometer in a boat. Vessel view or the like is good. Maybe even a flowscan.

[scgreg]

Let's hope.....

[Trent R]

Scgreg, 211 miles, ran out a half mile short of the ramp. 300hp, pretty much wide open, garmin screen said I had 2 gallons left.

[scgreg]

Thanks Trent! Good info. Sorry it took so long to respond....been off the board fishing.