98 EV Fuel Level Sensor

[LowRyter]

I wonder if anyone has a line on a fix or replacement of the fuel level sensor for a '98 EV?

It's pretty expensive and I was hoping for an innovative (i.e, "guzzi") solution.

Thanks.

[Wayne Orwig]

Has your thermistor been burned up from miswiring?

Kiwi Roy found thermistors that looked like they would work at one time. A search might find that.

Or maybe the thermistor from an 'in the tank pump' model is much cheaper and can be wired in.

[LowRyter]

I believe it was plugged to wrong terminal.  (I should've done it myself)  I took the tank off and plugged it in the other terminal and it still didn't work.

Anyway, what is a thermistor?  But anyway that could service or replace it and save $$ would be helpful.

thanks 

[oldbike54]

 Just another type of temp sensor , has less range than a thermocouple .

  Dusty

[Chuck in Indiana]

From KR..

I found a similar sensor by Panasonic for about $15 but you have to adapt it.
http://industrial.panasonic.com/lecs/www-data/pdf/AUD0000/AUD0000CE2.pdf

I think they burn out because guys mix the plug with the petcock putting 12V direct on the sensor, it's ok until the fuel runs low then they quickly get red hot and burn out. I tried experimenting with regular thermistors but would be too dangerous without the metal can.

[LowRyter]

Thanks for the info, CHuck. 

I am guessing that it screws in and out of the sensor unit once it's on the bench.  I'll do a little research.  According to Harper's the Sport and the EV have different part numbers but I'm guessing the thermoresistor would be the same panasonic part.  ERTLG12N7

[Kiwi_Roy]

I purchased a couple of the Panasonic ERTLG12N7s off a Chinese outfit DHGaate.com (they took over a month to arrive, came by ship I think) for about $15 each.
I fitted one to my buddies Triumph Tiger, it worked great.
Fitting it to the EV is a bit more work, you can't pull the existing sensor apart as the wires are potted after the fact so I made a new holder out of brass tubing. In hind sight I would have cut a couple of inches off the existing probe to access the wires then mounted the Panasonic to it.

If you cross the plugs over the thermistor will become red hot and burn out, it's installed inside a metal can to make it safe if that happens.

Another option is to use a reed switch and magnetic float, I think the pump-in-tank Guzzis use that.
The problem with the EV the hole in tank is so small it's hard to get a decent size float in there.

[LowRyter]

Thanks for the update KR. 

[twhitaker]

My '96 uses a reed switch with a float. I would presume it was made to fit in the same hole. ???

[normzone]

On an only vaguely related note, how do you disconnect that thing, without disconnecting anything else that needs to remain connected ?

[twhitaker]

The switch on my '96 has a short pigtail that's easily disconnected. Doesn't affect anything other than the low fuel light.