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601HDS - VDO Senders in LE Tanks (checking Ohm)

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mitch(at)HODGES.INFO
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject: 601HDS - VDO Senders in LE Tanks (checking Ohm)

Just getting ready to put the sender in the LE tank on the  left wing of my HDS.  Following the instructions, I've done the bend,  etc.  Now I'm trying to test the sender's Ohm readings.   Unfortunately, what I get are readings that bounces all over the place and never  settles down anywhere close.

  

 Now, being somewhat less than a daily user of a multimeter (I  think I've used one once before, and not sure I was successful  then) it is very possible its user error, so I thought maybe someone could  verify I'm doing this correctly.

  

 I have an ACTRON CP7672 multimeter http://www.actron.com/publish/2004/06/07/pdf_english_16157.pdf.   It is set to to 2000 on the Ohm/Resistance scale), although I've tried the  others.  

  

 The Red lead is plugged into the V(OHm)A plug, and the black  lead is plugged into the COM plug.  I touch both leads to the terminal on  the sender, but not to each other.  At both the Full and Empty settings, I  get just a wide swing in but no reading close to what it should be (although  they do pop up in the seemingly random numbers  generated).

  

 So, bad sender, bad method or bad  user?

  

 Thanks,

  

 Mitch Hodges

 N601MH  - Wings under Perpetual  Construction

 http://www.hodges.aero

   [quote][b]

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z601a(at)anemicaardvark.c
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject: 601HDS - VDO Senders in LE Tanks (checking Ohm)

On Sunday 20 September 2009 17:55, Hodges, Mitch wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Just getting ready to put the sender in the LE tank on the left wing of my

 HDS.  Following the instructions, I've done the bend, etc.  Now I'm trying

 to test the sender's Ohm readings.  Unfortunately, what I get are readings

 that bounces all over the place and never settles down anywhere close.


	


Which suggests either a faulty sender or a faulty measurement. 



Don't trust touching the leads to the terminals. Get some clip leads, with 

alligator clips on the ends. Clip one end to a terminal, and the other to the 

multimeter for each lead.



If it still bounces around, you probably have a bad sender. If not, trying 

moving the float up and down. The resistance should change, without wild 

fluctuations.



You can also try connecting the two multimeter leads together, and see if you 

get a zero reading. 



Assuming your VDO sender is similar to the one used in the XL, 2000 is much 

too high a setting. It seems to me the XL senders are in the neighborhood of 

70 ohms. A setting of 100 or 200 ophms would be closer to the ballpark.



-- 

=============================================

                Do not archive.

=============================================

                Jim B Belcher

    BS, MS Physics, Math, Computer Science

                  A&P/IA

     Retired aerospace technical manager

       Happiness is a belt-fed weapon

=============================================

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mitch(at)HODGES.INFO
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:49 pm Post subject: 601HDS - VDO Senders in LE Tanks (checking Ohm)

Thanks Jim, I'll try the alligator clips, that may do it. Also, I meant 200,

not 2000 on the setting.



I do notice that even when I just touch the probs together I'm getting some

fluctuation.  I'm going to take it into work tomorrow to have someone with

more experience than me try it.



Mitch



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davgray(at)sbcglobal.net
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:08 pm Post subject: 601HDS - VDO Senders in LE Tanks (checking Ohm)

Mitch

  

 For practice and checking the function of your  meter, try measuring several resistors with a known value.  The meter  should read very close without fluctuations.

 If you get the expected value with  fluctuation higher you probably have a loose wire connection in one of your  test leads.

 The VDO senders should read between 10 and 180  ohms(Empty-Full).

 Also, Practice voltage readings on batteries etc.  to gain experience.

  

 One more point for later,  a broken  wire or corroded connection from the VDO sender to the instrument panel  fuel gauge will be a higher resistance than 180 ohms which causes  the fuel gauge to show a very full tank indication when you actually have much less fuel in the tank.  Ten  ohms is an empty tank, 180 ohms is a full tank, and anything causing  resistance above 180 ohms will show a very full  tank.

 For this reason be sure to visually check your  tanks before flight and observe that the gauges are in agreement with the  visual.

  

 Gary Ray

 davgray(at)sbcglobal.net (davgray(at)sbcglobal.net)

  

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s.clive.richards(at)homec
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:41 am Post subject: 601HDS - VDO Senders in LE Tanks (checking Ohm)

Gary

                 I question your sense the VDO gauge senders supplied for the 701 are 70 ohms  Empty & 10 ohms FULL unfortunately the gauges supplied are 60/90 empty 0.5  ohms full. 

 The senders we bought & fitted to the HD  were 240 empty & 33 ohms full with matching gauges.

  You can check the sense by connecting the  gauge supply with sender disconnected I think you will fined it reads less  than empty. and shorting sender terminal to negative will give over  full.

 Clive

 G-CBDG 330 Hrs

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Mitch Hodges

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 45
Location: Powder Springs, GA

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:59 am Post subject: Re: 601HDS - VDO Senders in LE Tanks (checking Ohm)

Everyone,



Thanks for your responses.  After a little recommended testing, I believe a have a suspect multimeter.  I'm going to borrow one from work today and try it at next opportunity.



Jim, I was testing at 200, not 2000, that was a typo on my part, although I did try the other settings, just in case.



Clive, for the senders I have (sorry don't have the part# with me) the Ohms listed from Zenith are as Gary suggested (70 empty, 10 full) and the one I have enclosed in the right wing calibrated out that way.



Thanks again.

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_________________
Mitch Hodges
N601MH (Zenith 601HDS)
Builder Log at http://www.hodges.aero
Wings Under Perpetual Construction

naumuk(at)windstream.net
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:19 am Post subject: 601HDS - VDO Senders in LE Tanks (checking Ohm)

Mitch-

    I had a bad battery in my multimeter which wound up in all sorts of 

readings. I checked my gauge in true backyard mechanic style- I applied 12V 

from a battery eliminator and watched the needle when I moved the float arm 

before installing the tank.

                                                                Bill

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davgray(at)sbcglobal.net
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject: 601HDS - VDO Senders in LE Tanks (checking Ohm)

Clive

 I don't know which sender units are used on Zenith  701 aircraft.  I know VDO makes sending units with 0-90 and 240-33  ohms.  I did not know Zenith

 used different senders on different models.  I  am going to assume that your 240-33 ohm unit is reversed as the numbers are  reversed however for the 10-180 ohm unit

 it is set up so 10 ohms is empty and 180 ohms when  full.  The fuel gauges must match the ohms of the sending  unit.

  

 My 601XL kit came with the following:

 Mounting Kit with standard  VDO resistance, 10-180 Ohm, part number 226 002

 I used matching Autometer  fuel gauges.

  

Installation PDF (at) 

http://www.egauges.com/pdf/vdo/0-515-010-396.pdf 

Exerpt states: 

Fuel Level Sender Installation 

The Fuel Level Sender has a resistance rating of 10W when  the 

tank is empty and 180W  when full.   

So my original statement is correct.  The  gauge will show over full with any increase in resistance above 180  ohms. 

  

Gary Ray  davgray(at)sbcglobal.net (davgray(at)sbcglobal.net) 

  

  

 

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s.clive.richards(at)homec
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Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:11 am Post subject: 601HDS - VDO Senders in LE Tanks (checking Ohm)

Gary

               Thanks for info all gauges I have previously come across on cars always had  the lower resistance for full I assume electronics have changed things. The  senders on a 701 are off a V W Beetle.

 Clive

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