Remote oil tank wiring

Discussion in 'Outboards' started by CarbonFootprint, Jul 9, 2020.

  1. CarbonFootprint
    Joined: Nov 2009
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    Location: Northern Scotland

    CarbonFootprint Ill-Advised Boat Modifier

    Hello,

    I have an OMC type remote oil tank that has some sort of level sensor inside it;
    IMG_20200709_105343856_HDR.jpg

    It looks like a simple on/off level sensor, but inside the square cap (LHS of picture) is a load of electronics, potted in green resin.

    The sensor end seems to be a rod inside a cylinder, which moves up and down, making/breaking contact across the two brass rods; the resistance between the wires is always open-circuit, though.

    Can anybody tell me how to wire up the alarm circuit? Does anybody know what all the electronics in the cap is doing?

    Any help will be very much appreciated,

    Thanks
    :)
     
  2. jehardiman
    Joined: Aug 2004
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    Location: Port Orchard, Washington, USA

    jehardiman Senior Member

  3. CarbonFootprint
    Joined: Nov 2009
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    Location: Northern Scotland

    CarbonFootprint Ill-Advised Boat Modifier

    Thanks for that.
    No, I haven't tried it with oil, but it's not giving me the behaviour I'd expect without oil, so I think the sensor electronics may have failed...
    What mystifies me is, if it just grounds to alarm (thanks for that info!), what does all the circuitry in the cap do? As it's hidden in resin, I can't see it well enough to figure it out...
    Thanks for your help. :)
     
  4. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
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    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    I am not a fan of relying on electronics to monitor fluid levels.
    Gasoline, diesel, oil, etc. If the sensor fails, or is inaccurate, you're screwed.
    So, my solution is simple:
    Don't use it, visually inspect either with a sight glass, dipstick, or simply pop the cap and have a look.
    Not for everybody, but that's my input.
     
  5. CarbonFootprint
    Joined: Nov 2009
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    Location: Northern Scotland

    CarbonFootprint Ill-Advised Boat Modifier

    I quite agree - having blown up an engine partly due to a faulty temperature sensor, checking fluids etc before heading off into the wild blue yonder is only sensible...having working sensors as well, though, can't hurt :)
     
  6. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
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    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    It can hurt if you're relying exclusively on electronic sensing for low oil indicating...
    Water temp sensing is a whole different matter.
    You can't look and see your water temperature like you can a fluid level.
     

  7. CarbonFootprint
    Joined: Nov 2009
    Posts: 60
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    Location: Northern Scotland

    CarbonFootprint Ill-Advised Boat Modifier

    Quite so.

    If anybody can point me in the direction of a wiring diagram for the alarm circuit, I'd be grateful.

    I think, whatever the circuit in the cap is, it's dead and, being set in resin, it's also non-fixable, but I'd be grateful to see if I'm wiring it up right before I bin it...

    Thanks for any help.
     
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