gas gauge

[danramey]

I purchased a new oem digital gas gauge for a 1998 yamaha 250 4 stroke. The new gauge has what looks like a vacuum line connection on the back. Does this have to be hooked up in order for gauge to work or can it be used without? the boat is a 1986 and I'm not
sure if the existing gauge was already on the boat or if they were put on with the 98 motor.
thanks so much for your help,
Dan

[fairdeal]

is this "digital gas gauge" by any chance also a speedometer?

[boscoe99]

It is a digital gas gauge with an added feature being the boat speed.

[danramey]

yes sir, it has several functions

[fairdeal]

so the hose barb is to connect to a "pitot speed sensor" tube
giving you speed through the water

you don't have to connect it - but of course then the gauge will show no speed

[danramey]

Fairdeal, thank you, I've been working on this boat for a
Little over a year. I'm a carpenter by trade and it really helps people like me to have someone to answer questions.

[Jason2tpa]

If the speedometer tube has already been run through the hull to the console, might as well hook it up to take advantage of this gauge function. However, if the speedometer tube has not been run I'd do without the hassle of running it. The speed reading can be unreliable and the pilot hole clogs with debris, becoming more of a pain in the ass than a valuable asset.

If you have a smart phone, download a free speedometer app. Because the app functions via GPS the speed reading is more accurate and reliable.

[danramey]

gas gauge

thanks guys