Capactive Fuel Sensor

Capacitive Fuel Sensor length can be trimmed to fit tanks of varying heights. With capacitance as the sensing element, CLS (Capacitive Liquid Sensor) sensor series continuously detects the fuel level with resolution less than 1mm. It serves as an excellent solution for GPS fuel tracking applications with its high resolution. With a wide range of power input, and easily adjustable length, Capacitive Fuel Sensor is easy to setup and works for a wide range of applications.

1. Capacitive Fuel Sensor Technical Specifications:

2. Capacitive Fuel Sensor Mode of connection:

Pin1: VCC;

Pin2: Output (0.5~4.5V or 0~5V);

Pin3: GND;

Pin4: Connect to calibrator;

Pin5: Connect to calibrator;

Pin6: Connect to calibrator;

3. Capacitive Fuel Sensor Calibrator:

A calibrator could be used with multiple sensors. Requires 12V/ 23A battery.

Red light is the power light. If the light isn't on when turned on, battery replacement is needed; Green light is the calibration light. Full/ Empty button is showed in above picture.

Note: Calibration is necessary before using the sensor due to different fuel types;

How to Cut Capacitive Fuel Sensor?

Capacitive Fuel Sensor Length adjustment and Calibration:

       Adjustment of fuel level sensor length

Aluminum tube can be trimmed shorter from the bottom according to different requirements from customers. Steps are as follows:

1. Customer specifies the sensor length according to needs;
2. Cut the unwanted part with steel saw;
3. Remove the burrs and the debris at the cutting area with blade or screwdriver to avoid short circuit.
4. Remove the filter unit, take out the plug, and assemble the plug on the aluminum tube, then assemble the filter.

       Calibration of the fuel level sensor

Calibration of the fuel level sensor is required to accurately detect the full and empty level. The fundamental principle is to allow the customer to define a full value and an empty value on the fuel sensor where the tank is full and empty. The electrical signal changes as the fuel level changes, calculating the height of the fuel level.

Note: When the fuel level sensor is shortened, it needs to be recalibrated. Calibration to empty level and full level is related to the medium and the liquid level, instead of volume of the tank; this operation can be operated in room (make a container to simulate a tank filled with diesel). First, calibrate full level, then the empty level, or else the sensor could not enter the setting mode.

       Calibration of full level

Fill the tank to desired full level, put capacitive fuel sensor into the tank, wait for about 30 seconds until the aluminum tube of the fuel level sensor is filled with fuel, then press and hold on to the “Full” button on the calibrator for 5 seconds till the green LED light slowly flickers. This indicates that calibration for full level is in progress. The green LED light will turn off after about 10 seconds, indicating that the calibration of the full level is complete.

       Calibration of the empty level

Remove sensor from the container/tank. After liquid is drained from the sensor, press and hold on to the “Empty” button for about 5 seconds until the green LED light starts to flicker. This indicates that calibration for empty level is in progress. The green

LED light will turn off after about 10 seconds, indicating that calibration of the empty level is complete.

       Calibration completion

Disconnect the calibrator after calibration is done. Connect Pin 1on sensor to power and Pin 3 on sensor to ground; calibration becomes effective when sensor is power on.

Note: If the wrong button is pressed during operation, you can switch off the calibrator and exit the mode and readjust.

       Inspection

When calibration of the full level and empty level is done, inspect the output signal of the sensor:

If the output signal meets the values listed above, it means capacitive fuel sensor calibration is OK and the fuel level sensor is functioning normally. Otherwise, please check the mode of connection and recalibrate it.