Fuel Guage Earth (no drill method) what type of wire?

[mountainmummy]

Hi

Sorry if this is a really stupid question

I'm going to have a go at the no drill fuel guage earth (guage only showing half full when we have a full tank). I'm completely non techie/DIY but trying to learn (in fact last week I managed to replace a mixer tap in my kitchen by following a you tube vid my dad would have been proud of me!!).

Anyway, drilling holes is way too scary for me so I had a look underneath the van, located the fuel tank and found the pre drilled hole in the lip and the other on the chassis.

Going to go off tomorrow and buy the wire, connector and nuts and bolts.

My stupid question is, what type of wire should I buy (does it come in different guages?) and what guage of ring connector? Also where would I buy this? Maplins?

Thanks as ever for your help.

Sara

[wonkanoby]

any bit of wire will do you have lying around

crimp a round terminal each end

just be sure to get down to bare metal not paint for the contact

maplins would be fine

do you not know some one has odd bits lying around

[briwy]

Better if you can solder the connections as well as crimping or you will soon be back to square one and make sure to get down to bare metal on the tank. Bit of copper grease on as well.

[dreamwarrioruk]

as an electrician i had 100m of 10mm earth cable in van, used that on mine but slightly excessive, any wire will do, but best to use stranded flexible cable ie a bit of flex or cable out of an extension lead. Using solid copper may cause problems in a few years with vibration etc. mines been fine for the last 6 years tho.

[mountainmummy]

Well I visited Maplins today, explained what I needed and a young lad sold me some connectors and what he said was the correct wire.

Got home eager to fix the van only to find I've been sold 6.4 ml eyelets and 6 ml wire. The wire is way too thick for the eyelet and a quick check of the packet shows I need 0.4 to 1 ml cable.

Back to maplins tomorrow.

Should I change the connectors or the wire though?

Sara

[nicstrike]

I would change where you shop! I went to maplins for a 12v resistor. I didn't know EXACTLY what I needed so I asked for help. the guy scratched his...umm...chin...and said he didn't know. I asked who would know given that there was an 10' long sign on the wall saying "technical help" , only to be told "no one"!!! grrrrrreat. personally I would back the lot and go to your local motor factors or even one of the diy sheds , you will probably get more help there.

[Simon Jones]

You'd have had more luck asking for some tartan paint, as like a 12v resistor, it doesn't exist. Resistors are measured in Ohms and are available in different Wattage or power ratings. No wonder the chap was struggling

[wonkanoby]

do you have a crimping tool to crush the connector

you can cut some strands of the thick wire away until it fits then crimp it

[mikeonb4c]

You'd have had more luck asking for some tartan paint, as like a 12v resistor, it doesn't exist. Resistors are measured in Ohms and are available in different Wattage or power ratings. No wonder the chap was struggling

Somebody get Simon a job in Maplins - please.

[Simon Jones]

I think 4 years at college & university studying electrical & electronic engineering education may rule me out from their recruitment criteria

[nicstrike]

oh it was a 12v something or other...might have been a doo-dah...it was a while ago. whatever it was a so-called specialist electronics store should have been able to help!

[mountainmummy]

Hi again.

Had a trip back down to Maplins, they've now given me the correct connectors and kindly crimped them on the wire for me.

Off to try and attach this to van now - fingers crossed.

Thanks for your help.

Sara

[mountainmummy]

Yeehah

It seems to have worked.

[Bob]

Well done, Sara.

[nicstrike]

happy camper...great stuff. it is an easy fix really. well done.