Sending unit

Doc Drinkwater

New Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2024
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Age
69
Model
Fisherman 204
I am restoring a 20' Haterus. The gas gauge is not working. Having trouble finding the wires to connect. To get to the unit, I am told I have to remove the helm. Any thoughts.
 

seasick

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
9,530
Reaction score
1,420
Points
113
Location
NYC
Good luck with the restoration.

The first step to trouble shoot a fuel gauge not working is to locate the sender unit which is typically at the aft end of the fuel tank. There should be a way to access that spot. Usually there is a deck ( or pie) plate over that area. There should be two connections for the sender but for now we are looking for the signal wire. If Grady used their standard wire colors way back, the signal wire will be pink. unplug that wire at the tank sender. Your gauge should read empty. Now run a wire from a known good ground like the black battery terminal and touch it to the end of the disconnected pink wire. Wait a bit and see if the gauge moves. It should eventually read full.

If those two tests work, most likely your sender is bad ( likely) or the ground at the sender is bad. If nothing changes with the above tests, you will need to get to the back of the fuel gauge and look for the pink wire. One step at a time:)

On another note, I am not sure what remove the helm means. I have never seen a Hatteras so I can only go by what can find on the internet. Isn't that a cuddy cabin style of hull?
Can you post a photo of the helm area and the space behind the helm in the cabin.
 

Doc Drinkwater

New Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2024
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Age
69
Model
Fisherman 204
Good luck with the restoration.

The first step to trouble shoot a fuel gauge not working is to locate the sender unit which is typically at the aft end of the fuel tank. There should be a way to access that spot. Usually there is a deck ( or pie) plate over that area. There should be two connections for the sender but for now we are looking for the signal wire. If Grady used their standard wire colors way back, the signal wire will be pink. unplug that wire at the tank sender. Your gauge should read empty. Now run a wire from a known good ground like the black battery terminal and touch it to the end of the disconnected pink wire. Wait a bit and see if the gauge moves. It should eventually read full.

If those two tests work, most likely your sender is bad ( likely) or the ground at the sender is bad. If nothing changes with the above tests, you will need to get to the back of the fuel gauge and look for the pink wire. One step at a time:)

On another note, I am not sure what remove the helm means. I have never seen a Hatteras so I can only go by what can find on the internet. Isn't that a cuddy cabin style of hull?
Can you post a photo of the helm area and the space behind the helm in the cabin.
Hi,
Thanks for the response. It's a center console walk around. No cabin. I will try and track down that wire and see where we get.
 

DennisG01

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Sep 1, 2013
Messages
7,189
Reaction score
1,341
Points
113
Location
Allentown, PA & Friendship, ME
Model
Offshore
So you don't have any access plates? Do some more research and/or contact Hattera and see if they can give you the diagram of the tank. That should show where the sending unit is relative to the tank dimensions. Can you see ANY part of the tank from ANYWHERE in the boat? Use a snake camera to find the sending unit.

After finding the location, cut a hole in the floor for an access plate.
 

seasick

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
9,530
Reaction score
1,420
Points
113
Location
NYC
I am restoring a 20' Haterus. The gas gauge is not working. Having trouble finding the wires to connect. To get to the unit, I am told I have to remove the helm. Any thoughts.
What is the boat model again?
There is no Grady Haterus. Is it a Hatteras? What year?

There is another thread on a 204 Hatteras restoration and that is a cabin boat
 

Doc Drinkwater

New Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2024
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Age
69
Model
Fisherman 204
As far as I know from the Hull number it is a 1978 20.4 Hatterus. It is a walk around helm, no cabin. Hull number is LTNK0464M78J

 

Doc Drinkwater

New Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2024
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Age
69
Model
Fisherman 204
What is the boat model again?
There is no Grady Haterus. Is it a Hatteras? What year?

There is another thread on a 204 Hatteras restoration and that is a cabin boat
1 minute ago
As far as I know from the Hull number it is a 1978 20.4 Hatterus. It is a walk around helm, no cabin. Hull number is LTNK0464M78J
 

DennisG01

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Sep 1, 2013
Messages
7,189
Reaction score
1,341
Points
113
Location
Allentown, PA & Friendship, ME
Model
Offshore
As far as I know from the Hull number it is a 1978 20.4 Hatterus. It is a walk around helm, no cabin. Hull number is LTNK0464M78J

Like Seasick, I've never heard of a "Hatterus" boat, either. I assumed you just didn't know how to spell "Hatteras". I suppose for this conversation it's a moot point - but, generally, it's important to be accurate.

Walk around helm... do you mean a center console?
 

Hookup1

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
3,035
Reaction score
855
Points
113
Age
70
Location
Cape May, NJ
Model
Islander
It sounds like GW did make this boat. Problem is confusion identifying what type of boat it is to cross check to what GW built.

Get some photos of the boat put up here. Also photos of the deck and pie plate access ports.

I doubt it's a complicated as this thread is evolving into. This is an old boat , improperly id'ed, little documentation and poor description of what we are dealing with. Help us help you!