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fuel gauge not working Offish Topic

Posted by Expat Stu <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Expat+Stu' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 11, 2023, 7:09 pm

Nearly completed repairing / restoring / rebuilding the Sally the Citroen, but the battery gauge does not move. I have googled but cant find an answer. Does anyone know how to test it?

2CV based van.

Re: fuel gauge not working Offish Topic

Posted by Leon Novello <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Leon+Novello' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 12, 2023, 12:38 am, in reply to "fuel gauge not working Offish Topic"

If it is connected to a fully-charged battery and not moving, then it might work if you can open it and spray some contact cleaner into it, disconnecting the battery first of course.
Otherwise, take it to an instrument maker for repair.

Leon Novello

Re: fuel gauge not working Offish Topic

Posted by Stuart <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Stuart' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 12, 2023, 3:25 am, in reply to "fuel gauge not working Offish Topic"

Hi Stu,

"fuel gauge" of the thread title or "battery gauge" of your first post?

If really "battery gauge", what are its units - Volts or Amps?

Re: fuel gauge not working Offish Topic

Posted by Leon Novello <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Leon+Novello' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 12, 2023, 4:17 am, in reply to "fuel gauge not working Offish Topic"

As Stuart says, also, if the fuel gauge, check the float switch in the petrol tank.

Leon Novello

PIllock!

Posted by Expat Stu <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Expat+Stu' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 12, 2023, 8:26 am, in reply to "Re: fuel gauge not working Offish Topic"

What a knob I am!

Sorry, it is the "battery condition" gauge. I think it must read voltage.

Re: PIllock!

WATT?

Leon Novello

Re: PIllock!

Posted by Tonupdave <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Tonupdave' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 12, 2023, 9:29 am, in reply to "Re: PIllock!"

Not an electrician but would have though it is mutch like an Ameter so a wire wound coil around a magnet attached to the pointer ..so would check with a meter that there is continuity between the terminals if not might be a broken wire also check the needle is free..

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: "battery condition" gauge

Hi Stu, Dave,

>would have though it is mutch like an Ameter so a wire wound coil around a magnet attached to the pointer

Yes and no:-

. Voltmeter is connected between +ve and -ve so it's an electrical resistance, "check with a meter that there is continuity between the terminals" is "check with an Ohm-meter or multi-meter set to Ohms", that should show - correctly - there is measurable resistance (Ohms).

. Otoh, Ammeter is never an electrical resistance, because it's never (correctly) connected between +ve and -ve, "check with a meter that there is continuity between the terminals" should show there is (virtually) no resistance.

>"battery condition" gauge. I think it must read voltage.

As connecting specifically an Ammeter between +ve and -ve will "let the smoke out", as well as checking with a meter, are there any indications on the gauge:-

. numbers between, say, 10 and 16 probably indicate a Voltmeter, higher numbers probably indicate an Ammeter (unless Citroen fitted Lucas motorcycle alternators to 2CV?);

. multi-coloured scale, red at the top likely indicates a Voltmeter (high Volts likely warning of a regulation failure, as well as being bad for bulbs); otoh red at the bottom likely indicates an Ammeter (low Amps being bad for electrics longevity)?

Otoh, connecting a Voltmeter in line between one battery terminal and the rest of the van's electrics will cause the van's electrics either to function badly (dim bulbs) or not at all, because a Voltmeter is an electrical resistance and, so connected, is 'in series' with all the other resistances (ignition coil, bulbs, etc.).

Hth?

Regards,

Re: "battery condition" gauge

Need my son rewiring an early 356 he's restoring

A bit confined as he's 6foot eight..

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: "battery condition" gauge

Posted by Lannis <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Lannis' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 12, 2023, 12:29 pm, in reply to "Re: "battery condition" gauge"

Look at the size of that hammer! I've been doing my electric wiring wrong, I can tell.....

Lannis

At no time in history have the people forcing other people into compliance been the good guys.

Re: PIllock!

Posted by Greeves Rider <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Greeves+Rider' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 12, 2023, 10:32 am, in reply to "PIllock!"

Connect it direct across the battery, if it still does not work its US, so you need another one.

Re: PIllock!

Mmmm ... if it's an Ammeter, connected direct across the battery, he'll "need another one" anyway.