850T Tank Part Mystery

[swooshdave]

I notice this "thing" under the tank. There no wires coming from it. I don't think it measures fuel level. There no reason for a drain. What is it?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Maybe the tank is off of a Convert. Convert had a fuel level sender in that location.

[fotoguzzi]

Maybe the tank is off of a Convert. Convert had a fuel level sender in that location.

Yep, that's what it looks like.

[rodekyll]

Yes, fuel light sender.  Wire terminals are recessed In the little collar.

[swooshdave]

Yep, that's what it looks like.

Was it just a light that went on to tell you that you were low?

[atavar]

On my G5 the light went on and it dropped the fuel gauge to the bottom to incentivate you to get gas.

[rodekyll]

Was it just a light that went on to tell you that you were low?

No, the engine would also backfire and stop.   

[swooshdave]

Since there are no surviving Converts there'll be no way to know how to wire up a light to the thingy on the tank and make it work. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Since there are no surviving Converts there'll be no way to know how to wire up a light to the thingy on the tank and make it work. 

You're kidding, right? Plenty of fully functional Converts out there. Plus, it was also used on G5s IIRC. The Convert wiring diagram would show how to wire it up as well.

IMO, it's not worth the trouble - it probably won't work right anyway. Many times the float fills with gas and then the light is on all of the time. Sometimes the contacts get dirty and the light doesn't come on at all. Converts came with an electrovalve on the left side, so I guess the warning light was to tell you to expect to have to turn the right-side "reserve" petcock on at any time. Your T likely has two petcocks with reserve positions (or can be made that way inexpensively), so there's really no need for a low fuel light.

I'd remove it and plug the hole:
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_tonti_fuel_level_sensor_plug.html

[Groover]

Greg Bender may be able to create something for you...

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/for_sale_wiring_harness_tonti_v1000_i_convert.html

Also, on the same page he has those dual terminal bulb holder you need for the LEDs on your dash.

[Tom]

 :1: on plugging it.  Not needed. 

[swooshdave]

You're kidding, right? Plenty of fully functional Converts out there. Plus, it was also used on G5s IIRC. The Convert wiring diagram would show how to wire it up as well.

IMO, it's not worth the trouble - it probably won't work right anyway. Many times the float fills with gas and then the light is on all of the time. Sometimes the contacts get dirty and the light doesn't come on at all. Converts came with an electrovalve on the left side, so I guess the warning light was to tell you to expect to have to turn the right-side "reserve" petcock on at any time. Your T likely has two petcocks with reserve positions (or can be made that way inexpensively), so there's really no need for a low fuel light.

I'd remove it and plug the hole:
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_tonti_fuel_level_sensor_plug.html

Yes, I was kidding about the surviving Converts. 

Yes, I have two taps with reserves on each. And honestly with a tank that size is there really an excuse for running down to reserve? (Joking again) 

[swooshdave]

:1: on plugging it.  Not needed.

Why do you need to plug it? Can it leak?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Why do you need to plug it? Can it leak?

The sender is made of plastic, so yes, it could potentially leak. I've seen two that cracked along the edge and began leaking.

[lazlokovacs]

this is a timely thread...

I just recieved an old footnall shaped tonti tank, mine has the hole and no sender... obviously it needs plugging. Greg's links are helpful... but this particular one leads nowhere... anyone got the thread sizes?

cheers as ever,

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

this is a timely thread...

I just recieved an old footnall shaped tonti tank, mine has the hole and no sender... obviously it needs plugging. Greg's links are helpful... but this particular one leads nowhere... anyone got the thread sizes?

cheers as ever,

?? Link takes me right to a source with part no.

Thanks to Wayne Guntzel for sourcing this plug with the correct thread size and pitch as a suitable replacement for the original fuel level sensor.

Plug: New Holland / Case IH part number 10278301
Copper crush washer: New Holland / Case IH part number 10282260

[lazlokovacs]

^^
agreed,

and then searching the part number on either site leads to 'no results for this search'.....

[lazlokovacs]

^^^
^^^
hey charlie, don't worry I've found it, and close to home...

OP, sorry for the thread hijack

....as you were gents....

[chuck peterson]

Ummmm....Italian electrics wiring the gas tank to make a bomb....no, don't do that

[Sasquatch Jim]

  It is just the detonator, pay it no mind and hope that it doesn't work.

[swooshdave]

  It is just the detonator, pay it no mind and hope that it doesn't work.

No wonder there are no surviving Converts! 

[Chuck in Indiana]

  It is just the detonator, pay it no mind and hope that it doesn't work.

Italian electrics? Not to worry. 
That said, the low fuel sender was just a float that either was on or off. As the fuel level lowered, the light would flash on and off as the fuel sloshed around in the tank.. a royal PITA.

[Rich A]

Curiously, the fuel sensor on my convert still works. But thanks for the info--I get a plug in anticipation for when it fails.

Rich