Having just found that the Seimens VDO website is absolutely useless for getting a basic specification for their dip-tube fuel gauge senders, I thought I'd ask the experts...

Basically, I'm trying to find

* The resistance range (resistance when full, and when empty);

* Dimensions of the mounting plate;

* What lengths of dip tubes are available;

* Whether any special connectors are required.

I'm trying to replace a Smiths/CA lever sender, as I can't find a position in my tank that doesn't foul the tank side or baffle!

rgds,

David

David,

I also need to know if they are available in 10 ohm (empty) to 180 ohm (full) range. So please let me know if you find out!

Cheers

If you do a search for VDO you'll find my recent post on this exact topic!

Smiths swing arm sender 18 - 180 Ohms

VDO sender 0 - 90 Ohms

The VDO figures are what I remember from the discussion with Gary at Merlin Motorsport. Anyway the Smiths gauge is not directly compatible with the VDO sender.

However the VDO dip tube has the same bolt pattern as the Smiths sender (at least one standard works). So it was a stright swap with the smiths sender. The connections are the same too i.e. signal wire to the gauge and an earth.

For depth you just specific the tank depth when ordering.


[Edited on 15/7/05 by bimbleuk]

Just did a fairly quick search on the net and now I have a better idea of the Ohm range for the VDO sender.

The range is from 0 to 90 Ohms for the longest dip tube. So my tube being 166mm (the shortest length I've seen) is actually 0 - 60 Ohms. The longest tube is just over a 1000mm long. Try this URL....

http://www.siemensvdo.com.au/files/2388_VDO%20CATALOGUE.pdf

I'm following up a couple of leads at the moment: Bryn at Allyfab made my tank, and he aimed me at a bloke in LowTension Ltd. They can make up a VDO dip tube to meet my needs. They told me that VDO senders come in various resistance ranges, and 10 - 180 is one of the standard ones.

Also I'd sent an e-mail to CAI (a.k.a. Smiths) and I got a reply from SpeedyCables who are also based in Caerbont - apparently they can make up a sender as well.

I'll follow both of these up on Monday, and pass on whatever I find out.

regards,
David

Any news David? I still need a 10 - 180 ohm sender.

Cheers

Best I've managed so far is Lowtension Ltd, Tamworth (01827 250004) - all they need to know is the depth of the tank.

The down-side is the cost - £49.99 + £5.00 P&P, and I don't know if that includes VAT either!

I think I'll have to go for it regardless - I can't get my lever-arm sender to work consistently (sometimes it jams on the side of the tank or baffle, sometimes it doesn't).

rgds,
David

I dont think you'll regret it.

I've got some basic baffles in my tank but they aren't quite enough on track. With the column sender I can now use baffle foam pushed in the opening too which should help