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Tech Edge "MODA" Fuel Level Probe

 
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billhuntersemail(at)gmail
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 9:02 am    Post subject: Tech Edge "MODA" Fuel Level Probe Reply with quote

Hi All,

I've been working like crazy on my project and am getting ready to fly soon!!!

One obstacle (among many) is a solution to my header tank fuel level sensor. I have a 5 gallon fiberglass header tank that the two wing tanks gravity flow into and then the engine uses this header tank as its sole source of fuel so it is good to know if this header tank is full. It had an ON/OFF float switch however that switch is no longer working and I tried to unscrew the float switch to replace it however it is so tight that I am worried the plastic body/hex nut will break off so it is best at this point to just leave it installed as a "plug" and pursue another solution.

Has anyone used a MODA tank sensor kit from tankedge.com ?

https://tankedge.com/accessories.html

It is a sensor that attaches to the outside of a fiberglass tank with dual parallel strips of aluminum and copper tape. Somehow it measures the resistance between the two strips and determines the fuel quantity on the other side of the tank wall.

Since I have a fiberglass header tank I am interested in this system...IF...it will integrate with my Dynon Skyview. It seems like it should work just fine because it puts out a variable voltage from zero to 5.0 volts.

Naturally I want it to work but I also want it to be durable in the long run so if anyone has any experience with this unit please do share.

Here is a quote from a cyber friend who used it however he is not running a Dynon:

Once it is set-up you give the sensor 12 volts, and then reads the blue wire for voltage based on the tank level from 0-5 V. Here were my values during my initial test:
Voltage provided - 12.4 V
Empty - 1.1V
1 Gal - 2.7 V
2 Gal - 3.8 V
3 Gal - 4.5 V
4 Gal - 4.7 V (didn’t measure beyond this value)
Moving metal objects nearby (like an aileron bell crank) can change the voltage by as much as .15V. It also responds well to moving the tank around attempting to simulate flying conditions with low fuel in the sump and sloshing fuel.

.

As always THANKS FOR YOUR HELP and I will report back if I get this airplane to fly!!!

Bill Hunter


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nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 8:56 am    Post subject: Tech Edge "MODA" Fuel Level Probe Reply with quote

At 11:01 AM 1/2/2018, you wrote:
Quote:
--> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "William Hunter" <billhuntersemail(at)gmail.com>

Hi All,

I've been working like crazy on my project and am getting ready to fly soon!!!

One obstacle (among many) is a solution to my header tank fuel level sensor. I have a 5 gallon fiberglass header tank that the two wing tanks gravity flow into and then the engine uses this header tank as its sole source of fuel so it is good to know if this header tank is full. It had an ON/OFF float switch however that switch is no longer working and I tried to unscrew the float switch to replace it however it is so tight that I am worried the plastic body/hex nut will break off so it is best at this point to just leave it installed as a "plug" and pursue another solution.

Has anyone used a MODA tank sensor kit from tankedge.com ?

https://tankedge.com/accessories.html

It is a sensor that attaches to the outside of a fiberglass tank with dual parallel strips of aluminum and copper tape. Somehow it measures the resistance between the two strips and determines the fuel quantity on the other side of the tank wall.

This is probably an adaptation of the 'capacity
sensor' widely used on touch pads for manual controll
inputs. It senses a change in capacity. The two
electrodes attached to the outside of the tank form
a capacitor in which the dielectric is composed of
tank material and air.

When fuel fills up the air space, the capacitance
goes up sharply and the electronics senses this. For
metal tanks, they need to penetrate the tank wall
to get at the change in air-to-fuel capacitance.



Bob . . .


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jim(at)PoogieBearRanch.co
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:58 am    Post subject: Tech Edge "MODA" Fuel Level Probe Reply with quote

How about using this:
http://www.beliteaircraftstore.com/bingo-liquid-detector/

It was designed for this exact purchase, and Jim Wiebe (designer/owner)
created it to indicate when a specific "bingo" (low fuel) level occurred
in header tanks and in-wing fuel tanks, as a backup to the fuel gauges.
(He has some pretty terrific fuel level sensors, as well for the
experimental crowd.)

You install this detector at whatever level in the fuel tank you choose,
and it alerts you when the liquid level drops below that point. The LED
indicator is normally green when the level is above the "bingo" level,
and if/when it drops below that point, it flashes red for 10 seconds,
then goes solid red.

Installation seems dirt simple, and it seems to work with just about any
liquid. There's a video demonstrating it on that page also. Currently
on sale for $69.95.

Jim Parker


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rene(at)felker.com
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 11:49 am    Post subject: Tech Edge "MODA" Fuel Level Probe Reply with quote

I have a system similar to that in my RV-10. 1 in each tank at the 3 gallon level. Only really use it when I want to run a tank dry. If the tank sloshes, then I do get some false alarms when it is bumpy. I use my float gages to alarm at 5 gallons left.

Rene'
801-721-6080

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