Most older and less expensive fuel tank
sensors work on the principle of as float on an arm. The
float goes up and down and the arm adjusts a rheostat that sends a
signal to the gauge. Problem? Every time the boat rolls or
goes up and down, or for that matter moves any which way the fuel
moves around and moves the float. Newer sensors use a
float surrounding a tube. There is a sealed coil in the float
and a electronic circuit in the tube (which is also sealed) that
senses the position of the float through induction. The float
is less prone to going up and down due to sloshing of the
fuel so it’s more accurate. The latest technology
does not have a sensor “in” the tank. It is on the
outside of the tank. Some sort of sensor senses the fluid level
inside the tank. It also has a brain, that is it can sense
the movement of the fluid up and down due to sloshing, and average
the level of the fluid, so it’s even more accurate. But
it’s also more expensive. The largest manufacturer of
tank level sensors is WEMA
http://www.wemausa.com/tank_sensors/tank_level_sensors.htm#Fuel_Water_Tank_Sensors.
But there are others. Panbo
http://www.panbo.com/archives/2005/11/offshore_systems_3271_the_perfect_fuel_tank_sensor.html
Here are some of the older style with floats
http://www.iboats.com/Fuel_Tanks_Systems/dm/category_id.238164--view_id.238164
Here’s a good article from BOAT US on
fuel tank gauges.
http://www.boatus.com/foundation/Findings/findings40/links.htm
-------------------------
Ike
"Don't tell me I can't. Tell me how I can!"
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10/25/2007 03:05:04 PM
