NeilP
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 posted on 25/9/06 at 09:10 PM |
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Is there a simple detector...
...that I can stick on top of the (ali) fuel tank to tell when the tank is full? The fuel gauge is calibrated correctly but I was concerned about
having the ignition on whilst refuelling. Picture coming next illustrates set up - If I wait for the fuel to click off then I guess that fuel level
will be somewhere in the pipe connecting the tank to the fuel flap (and hence will run out of the overflow). Pipe is not a straight vertical
therefore can't see the level. Trying to avoid having to drain, drill and then clean out the tank (again). Thought that there must be something
magnetic, inductive, sonic, etc. that I can use and guessed that one of you would know. Am I mad?...
If you pay peanuts...
Mentale, yar? Yar, mentale!
Drive it like you stole it!
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NeilP
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| posted on 25/9/06 at 09:12 PM |
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[img][/img]
If you pay peanuts...
Mentale, yar? Yar, mentale!
Drive it like you stole it!
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Alfa145
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| posted on 25/9/06 at 09:25 PM |
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I have a similar problem but I have no fuel guage to help me, I was just going to raise the overflow a bit but still trying to think of other options
before I go down that route
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russbost
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| posted on 25/9/06 at 09:28 PM |
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Could you not increase the height/length of the overflow pipe using a see thro' plastic & placing it somewhere you could see whilst filling?
This would give you a visual height as the fuel reached the top of the tank.
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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dmottaway
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| posted on 25/9/06 at 09:53 PM |
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don't know if it works with gasoline, but there is a stick-on detector typically put on propane tanks that somehow works off of temperature
differences. it is a simple tape that is stuck onto the side of the tank and, apparently, the portion of the tank that is in contact with the liquid
inside the tank is colder, the level showing up as a difference in color on the detector.
if you can see the side of your tank, perhaps this would work.
hth
dave
Somewhere, in Texas, a village is missing its idiot.
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stevec
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| posted on 25/9/06 at 10:10 PM |
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When the fuel starts to climb the filler tube the fuel will stop because of the auto cut out on the petrol station handle thingy.We have all had the
click when we try to overfill.
Steve.
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Peteff
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| posted on 25/9/06 at 10:18 PM |
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Am I mad?...
Probably yes, as soon as the nozzle feels resistance it will shut off as Steve says, even air pressure if you fill too fast will click it off in a
restricted neck. I haven't got a gauge I just zero the mileage when I fill up.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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the_fbi
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| posted on 25/9/06 at 10:20 PM |
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Wire up a microswitch using its normally open connections to a position which is held closed when the fuel filler cap is on.
Wire up the switch so that when the cap is removed the gauge has power and reads the fuel level.
Failing that, find out what resistance your fuel sender gives for a full tank and wire up the microswitch and a LED so that the LED lights when the
resistance = max fuel and fuel cap is off.
No idea what components you'd need for the 2nd option though, something which would let through power at 100 Ohms, but not till then. A
microprocessor would do this, but there must be a simpler way.
If you are happy taking the fuel sender out, then secure an intrinsicly safe microswitch onto the sender, operating on the float arm, so that it
triggers at full level. Then drive the LED again via the cap switch.
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Chippy
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| posted on 25/9/06 at 11:14 PM |
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Just leave the ignition switch on, and stop when the gauge reads full, I do and it works fine. I earthed my fuel filler to the tank, and the tank to
the chassis, so no build up of static to make a spark. atb Ray.
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tinsnail
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| posted on 26/9/06 at 02:39 AM |
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Am i the only one who is wondering why he has an overflow pipe on his petrol tank?
I didn't know there was any regulation about that. a breather pipe i can understand, but then a preather pipe wouldn't have to exit lower
than the tank.
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dave r
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| posted on 26/9/06 at 07:03 AM |
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it should be a breather, not an overflow. it bends overand back to bottom level to stop the fuel running out in the event of rolling over. the loop
just needs to go higher, which is the hard bit in a 7!
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nitram38
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| posted on 26/9/06 at 07:04 AM |
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There are a few options.
Just shorten the overflow pipe and cable tie it to the mainpipe up to the filler and put a two way non-return breather valve from think auto motive
or extend the pipe up so the bend is close to the filler neck.
The fuel level will not rise higher in the overflow, but overall it is a bad idea to have one.
If you tank is full, on hot days the fuel will be pushed out due to expansion.
My best advice is block it off and put a cap on the tank with a breather built in.
[Edited on 26/9/2006 by nitram38]
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DarrenW
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| posted on 26/9/06 at 08:59 AM |
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Ive used a one way valve in the end of my breather and fitted the breather pipe as high as poss in the boot area.
Bought the valve from aquarium supplies place. It is suitable for Marine tanks (salt water) so has corrosion resistance properties (plastic!).In
normal use air can enter the tank but when inverted the valve shuts off.
Filling with fuel is a pain when filler is on back panel. I have to watch inside the neck when tanks starts to get full. Careful filling prevents
spillage but its taken some practice. Reminder to self - must get small maglite for key ring so i can see inside better.
If filler was on the top im sure it would fill much faster and when nozzle shuts off will probs be full enough.
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DarrenW
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| posted on 26/9/06 at 09:25 AM |
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In answer to your question, i recall seeing a demo by Festo i believe that had sensors that could be mounted on a plastic tank, no holes cut, that
could sense when a fluid or similar was present just inside. Cant remember the term used for such a sensor. I know it is a form of proximity sensor
but seen to remember there were several types (inductive, conductive etc). They were linked to PLC's (Allen Bradley, Siemens etc) in industrial
control applications.
Im wondering if you could glue such a sensor to the top of the tank and have a small led just to the side of the filler that only operates when
ignition is off. Having done a quick search i dont think it would be cheap.
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NeilP
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| posted on 26/9/06 at 07:06 PM |
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Thanks all - Concluded that I am entirely mad and always make my life way, way more difficult that it should be.
Am going to use a combination of the very sensible suggestions posted.
Cheers...
If you pay peanuts...
Mentale, yar? Yar, mentale!
Drive it like you stole it!
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Liam
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| posted on 26/9/06 at 09:10 PM |
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As a few others have suggested, I can't see why you can't use the same clever system that all production car manafacturers have been using
for years - the auto cut-off of the fuel pump nozzle! Just need a restriction in the filler neck so the nozzle just fits in and it'll work
fine.
Liam
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