REFLECTOR: optical low fuel sensor
Dave Philipsen
velocity at davebiz.com
Thu Jun 22 12:46:08 CDT 2006
Dean,
I wasn't able to find the specs on your sensor but another thing you
might want to be careful about is the amount of current your annunciator
will draw. Most of these optical level sensors use a solid-state switch
inside that can only sink maybe 50 to 200 milliamps of current. That's
fine if your annunciator is an LED. But if it's an incandescent lamp,
you'll want to make sure the current draw is less than the rating of the
level switch.
Here's a rough idea of what the circuit would look like. The -|<-
symbol is an LED but could just as easily be an incandescent bulb.
--- |--- +12vdc
|-----| |--- +12vdc
Sensor |-----------------------|<----|
|-----|
--- |--- Ground annunciator LED (fuel low)
If this diagram looks weird, you may want to copy it and convert to a
fixed-width font.
Dean May wrote:
> Well, after further examination, I discovered that the wiring diagram is
> printed onto the sensor body. There was no diagram in the instructions
> included, and the sensor itself was the last place I thought to look.
>
> Dean May
> STDRG
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Brian Michalk" <michalk at awpi.com>
> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
> Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 12:26 PM
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: optical low fuel sensor
>
>
> I think others may have answered your question as well, but here is a
> different response.
>
> +12v to sensor
> gnd to sensor
> ------
> +12v to instrument panel annunciator
> from annunciator to sensor
>
> Dean May wrote:
>
>> Ok I purchased this optical level sensor, but now how do I wire it in?
>> The
>> old mechanical sensor had two wires and this has three. Any ideas?
>>
>> Dean May
>> N474MA STDRG
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Brian Michalk" <michalk at awpi.com>
>> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 10:49 PM
>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: optical low fuel sensor
>>
>>
>> McMaster-Carr, 4949K43, $79.65
>> http://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/112/gfx/large/4949kp1l.gif
>>
>> Control the liquid level in your tank without a float—an infrared light
>> beam does all the work. When the tip is immersed (or exposed), the beam
>> refracts (or stops refracting) and activates the sensor output. Sensors
>> have an LED signal to indicate when output is on. Sensors are sensitive
>> to light, so they need to be shielded or used in an enclosed tank.
>> Maximum output is at the input voltage. Polyamid housing is best for use
>> with solvents, polysulfone housing will stand up to most acids and
>> bases, and carbon steel housing is the choice for high-pressure
>> applications. Output when wet sensors activate when the tip is immersed;
>> use to empty a tank. Output when dry sensors activate when there is no
>> liquid present; use to fill a tank.
>>
>>
>> Check out
>> http://www.tvbf.org/gallery/index.php?dir=Sump%20Tank%20-%20FG%2F
>> I've got three pictures at the end of my installation.
>>
>> I tried testing it in a foam cup. It didn't work. I think the signal
>> was bouncing around the cup and re-entering. It worked just fine at
>> engine start. I'm not yet flying.
>>
>>
>>
>> Robin Wesley Ream wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Do you have an installation picture of this on-line somewhere?
>>> Robin
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "michalk" <michalk at awpi.com>
>>> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 10:44 AM
>>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: optical low fuel sensor
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> I bought mine from McMaster Carr. It's cheaper than the Gems sensors.
>>>> I'll try to remember the model number.
>>>>
>>>> The float type didn't work. I ended up drilling it out because it
>>>> wouldn't come out. I then inserted a brass bushing in it's place and
>>>> installed this new optical sensor.
>>>>
>>>> Dr. Golf wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Does anyone know the supplier and part number for the
>>>>> optical sensor?
>>>>> Joel
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>
> _______________________________________________
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>
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>
> _______________________________________________
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>
> Visit the gallery! www.tvbf.org/gallery
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>
>
--
Dave Philipsen
N171SP
soon-to-be N83DP
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