Calira 330 Diesel gauge
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 400
Forum Description: 400 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15361
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:41
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Calira 330 Diesel gauge
Posted By: Captain Cook
Subject: Calira 330 Diesel gauge
Date Posted: 12 September 2025 at 20:49
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The diesel gauge on my Calira 330 panel is showing zero when the tank is full. Since my standard advice to other users of this forum is to use the advanced search before troubling the other members with questions which already have been answered multiple times, I naturally consulted the myhanse fountain of wisdom before writing this. Therefore I have checked that there is good negative ground connected to the tank, I have opened the inspection cover to visually check the measuring sensor, I have removed/reinserted the power cable on the back of the Calira (even when the “Service” main switch is off, the Calira 330 still has power), and I have put new spade terminals on the blue(-) and white(+) wires connected to the sensor. When I press the tank button, the needle moves ½mm, and for a moment just after pressing the button, I can measure 1,0-1,1 V between the white and blue terminals, and this voltage is then slowly decreasing until it shows 0,17-0,19 Volt. This seems to be a sort of stand-by voltage. As mentioned, the tank is full, so I have not tried to put my hand/arm into the tank. Any suggestions?
------------- Freya H400 #27 (2006),2-cabin, 40HP 3JH4E, 3-blade Flexofold, Aries LiftUp Windvane, Exturn 300, Jefa DD1,Simrad NX40,Icom M603(VHF)+M802(SSB) |
Replies:
Posted By: Mark_J1
Date Posted: 15 September 2025 at 22:17
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Given you’ve already been into the tank this may not apply, however the sensor on Grey Goose’s tank did once jam (at 3/4 full). It wasn’t obvious even on visual inspection. I had to pull the whole swing arm out of the tank and free it up. There was some play in the mechanism which I remember having to sort. Put an ohm meter on it to be sure you’re getting the full range. Mark ------------- Hanse 400e "Grey Goose" Hull #31 |
Posted By: Captain Cook
Date Posted: 16 September 2025 at 18:08
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Hi Mark My sailing season isn´t over yet, so I will burn some diesel, so it will be possible to unmount the sensor. Well, I do in fact own a special tube which can move diesel from the inspection cover into a canister, . If everything fails, I will have to buy a replacement sensor. I guess that the lifespan of the sensor may be approaching. Just like myself, Freya is 20 years older than the happy day in 2006 when I recieved a brand new boat. As for sailing season, I discovered last week in Skillinge (Sweden), that the harbour fee was lowered by 33% in the low season. Nice gesture! :Kjeld ------------- Freya H400 #27 (2006),2-cabin, 40HP 3JH4E, 3-blade Flexofold, Aries LiftUp Windvane, Exturn 300, Jefa DD1,Simrad NX40,Icom M603(VHF)+M802(SSB) |
Posted By: Merinalle
Date Posted: 23 September 2025 at 18:09
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Hi Kjell, You asked suggestions, so here are some ideas! I upgraded our fuel gauge system some years ago. The main reason was that the original one was quite unpractical. The “gauge” was located to the Calira panel, it was not accurate because it was made of four led lamps, and somebody had to press a switch in order to read those lamps. The only way to correctly estimate the moment when stop filling the tank was keep an ear close to the air ventil. Because on our boat it is located inside the cockpit, it was not too difficult. However, missing the timing meant that we had some diesel on our teak floor. That motivated not overfill and pollute the sea. Our new system is totally different, take a look to these pictures. Changing the sensor was surprisingly easy at least at our 2008 Hanse 320. Just unscrew the 5 screws and remove the old sensor, measure the needed length, and buy and install a new sensor.   I installed the new gauge to a port/after locker so that it is easily visible when filling the tank (when the locker is opened). The protective collar around it was made from a leftover air inlet connector.  ------------- 320#166 |
Posted By: Captain Cook
Date Posted: 23 September 2025 at 20:30
Well, the sensor is 19½ years old, so maybe I have to renew it  ------------- Freya H400 #27 (2006),2-cabin, 40HP 3JH4E, 3-blade Flexofold, Aries LiftUp Windvane, Exturn 300, Jefa DD1,Simrad NX40,Icom M603(VHF)+M802(SSB) |
Posted By: DJgun
Date Posted: 17 November 2025 at 03:12
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I have recently found an excellent replacement for the fuel level sensor. It is made by Holley and is a Lidar sensor (Holley Easy Level Universal Fuel Sensor) at a very reasonable cost. The big advantage is the Holley unit allows you to select the resistance range needed for you boat, but more especially you can adjust the full, empty and intermediate points to suit your gauge. The price is only slight more than a genuine VDO marine float arm type fitted by Hanse. ------------- DJ.....Sailor Ordinaire HIN DE-HANJ0331J708 |
Posted By: Captain Cook
Date Posted: 19 November 2025 at 16:17
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I just returned from the harbour, where I went to measure the needed lenght of a Wema sensor. The old VDO sensor is supposed to show 0-190 ohm between the terminals, but today I measured 240 Kiloohm (the tank is full). I measured 0,1V between the wires when they were removed from the sensor. I will order a Wema SAE/5 bolts sensor with a lenght of 25 cm, because the VDO sensor is old technology, and the price of the Wema is less than 50% of the VDO.
------------- Freya H400 #27 (2006),2-cabin, 40HP 3JH4E, 3-blade Flexofold, Aries LiftUp Windvane, Exturn 300, Jefa DD1,Simrad NX40,Icom M603(VHF)+M802(SSB) |