REFLECTOR: Low Fuel Warning Sensor False Reading: SOLVED?

[Dave Philipsen]

Yeah, my old float sensor was junky.  I think the avgas eventually eats away the plastic innards. I, too, replaced mine with an optical sensor...stainless steel and glass.  The original sensor had been just glassed in to the sump. When I did the repair on my sump I glassed in some brass threaded bosses for the optical sensor, both lines from the strakes, the line to the fuel pump, the vent line, and one spare.  I now have the sensor connected to my Dynon as well as two capacitive fuel level sensors *and* the sight gauges. I've flown it down as low as maybe two or three gallons in each strake but I've never tripped the optical sensor in flight (check it when I do the annual).

Dave Philipsen
Velocity STD FG
N83DP

> On Apr 28, 2014, at 5:14 PM, Scott Baker <scottb33333 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> On a recent sump tank installation, found float switch to be unreliable (false signals).  Replaced with optical sensor, same result.  Then installed both!  Low fuel alarm must "pass" float switch and optical sensor "test".  No more false signals.
> Overkill?  Yes, maybe.  Happy with results?  Yes.
> Scott B.
> 
> 
>> On 4/28/2014 5:11 PM, Dave Philipsen wrote:
>> Just a thought:  You might wanna just cover the sump with something temporarily to block the light.  A few years ago I had to do some troubleshooting/repair work on my sump and the fact that it was *not* painted was helpful in that I could roughly see the fluid level and then when I did the repairs I didn't have to strip off any paint.  Just an idea...
>> 
>> Dave Philipsen
>> Velocity STD FG
>> N83DP
> 
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