How to Select the Correct Fuel Sensor for Your Vehicle

Having a fuel sensor shields you from the nightmare of running out of fuel at the most critical moment. Technology has made it possible to run generators and trucks or machines using fuel with certainty about the level of fuel. You do not have to open the tank and estimate or make calculations based on distance covered or running time. A good fuel sensor can measure the vehicle refueling and fuel consumption and thus to prevent the fuel theft, avoid resource waste, improve operating efficiency, enhance the traffic safety, and strengthen the operation and management of fleets. There are several options available in the market based on your needs. So how to select the correct fuel sensor for your vehicle? You can:

Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor

This is an intelligent sensor that can be installed on different types of tank. It allows you to sense a drop in fuel below a certain critical level. There are additional features that allow you to sense a sudden drop in the level of fuel. This is important in protecting you against fuel leaks. It is effective on fuel tanks of different sizes and shapes. It provides verifiable data in all instances to avoid false alarms. You will receive an alert on several platforms according to the settings to enable you take appropriate actions.

Features:
– High Accuracy:
The measurement resolution of the fuel level is 0.2 mm and the level accuracy is 3 mm. The sensor
automatically performs the temperature compensation in the range from -40℃ to 80℃. This ensures the measurement accuracy even when the environment temperature is extreme high or low.
– Better Long Term Stability
The fuel sensor adopts the method of ultrasonic measurement, a non-contact measurement that is
different from the current widely used direct contact method such as the fuel float sensor, fuel Pressure sensor and magnetic fuel sensor, so as to avoid corrosion and pollution by the fuel and keep excellent long-term stability of the measurement.
– Easy Installation and Maintenance
The sensor is installed at the bottom of the fuel tank, which requires no change to the original fuel
tank measuring system and the fuel tank. This allows the original vehicle fuel gauge to work undisturbed and no warrant issue.
– Environmentally Friendly
The non-contact measurement does not require making hole to the fuel tank or modifying the fuel
tank and thus avoids the fuel contamination.
– Reliability
It can work perfectly in harsh environments.

Disadvantages:
Suitable for tank within 1 meter depth, more than 1 meter, need to customize

Typical Applications:
Ultrosonic Fuel Sensor applies to various types of vehicles including logistics vehicles, taxis, buses and passenger cars. It can measure the vehicle refueling and fuel consumption and thus to prevent the fuel theft, avoid resource waste, improve operating efficiency, enhance the traffic safety, and strengthen the operation and management of fleets.

Capacitive Fuel Sensor

It works by measuring the capacitance as fuel level changes. You are allowed to set a critical level that will trigger an alert depending on settings. It will protect you against fuel siphoning, fuel theft and simplify the process of fleet management.

Features:
– High Accuracy:
Level accuracy can be 1 mm. The measurement range within 200-1500mm, any length available within this range
– Wide range of power supply: DC10V ~ 32V
– Application environment: diesel, biodiesel, gasoline, kerosene(Not applicable to conducting medium)
– Reliability
It can work perfectly in harsh environments.

Disadvantages:
This type of fuel sensor is susceptible to sticky grease stains and causes measurement error. It has
potential risk of producing electrical spark. Drilling installation causes pollution and warranty
issue.

Typical Applications:
Apply to various types of vehicles including logistics vehicles, taxis, buses and passenger cars.

Resistive Fuel Sensor

It uses the idea of resistance to measure fuel levels. The technology can be transferred to other areas including irrigation and sewerage systems. It is used on tanks of different sizes and will detect decline in levels. An alert will be sent if the critical level is passed. It cannot detect sudden drop in fuel levels. This is likely to expose you to leakage which can be catastrophic at times.

Features:
– Signal output with high precision
– Fuel suction and return
– High quality stainless steel
– Long using life, anti-vibration
– Options of different electronic connectors and fitting type
– Level alarm, temperature alarm
– Easily changable structures with short developing cycle

Disadvantage:
This type of fuel sensor uses mechanical method to measure fuel level. It is easy to get big measurement error and delay. It is vulnerable to corrosion and pollution because of long-term exposure to the fuel, which will lower the measurement accuracy. Drilling installation is used.

Typical Applications:
Widely used for light trucks, construction machines, yachts, etc

Fuel Flow Meter

Features:
This is a device that will enable you keep track of your fuel consumption. It can be used to measure consistency giving you certainty that your fuel will last over the intended period of time. It is wired to communicate in case the flow slackens or stops.

Disadvantage:
This type of fuel sensor is difficult to install as it has to truncate the original fuel pipe. It can measure the fuel consumption, but not the amount of refueling, which makes it inconvenient for measurement and management.

Reed Switch Fuel Sensor

Features:
This is a sensor designed to offer the exact amount of fuel available in the tank. Regardless of the shape, inclination or sloshing, it will give you an accurate measure of fuel quantity. It uses magnetic force to detect actual levels. Because it can work effectively in tanks of all sizes and shapes, it is preferred as an oil sensor to monitor the amount in small tanks.

Disadvantage:
This type of fuel sensor has low accuracy and is very easy to be influenced by the measurement media and temperature fluctuation caused by power voltage. Its components are vulnerable to magnetization. The measurement result is greatly influenced by fluctuations in the fuel level and grease. It is impossible for field installation according to the height of the fuel tank.

Fuel Float Sensor

Features:
A float sensor works by measuring the changing levels over time. Electric current is sends a message to the dashboard to indicate the fuel level. It can be set to send an alert when fuel goes below a certain level. This is a combination of manual and electric systems and is prone to error in case the floater gets stuck.

Disadvantage:
This type of fuel sensor can only be used for vague indication and cannot be used for fuel metering. It is vulnerable to grease stain, power supply, mechanical structure and lubrication, which will cause problem of stability to the output value.

Interested in TrackSec Technology, the professional manufacturer of GPS vehicle trackers, Fuel Sensors, 3G mobile DVR system and security solutions?
Check what devices available in here or contact us today to receive customized solution quotes, updates, and opportunities: https://tracksec.comcontact-us/