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asarangan(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:17 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

The fuel tank is translucent. One can clearly see the fuel level by

eye. So, it occurred to me why not build a fuel level sensor that

attaches to the outside of the tank? I recently built such a unit with

LED illuminators and detectors, and it works like a charm. It even

shows the waves when the fuel is sloshing around. Only question is,

how does the translucency of the tank change with time? If it becomes

totally opaque in a few years, then this won't work. I can post

further details of the device if anyone is interested.

pete(at)lawless.info
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:41 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Hi Andrew



My tank is 12 years in use and you can still see through it.



Be very interested to see details of your design.  I have a flow meter 

and a tank float gauge but which would you believe if they disagreed?



Thanks



Pete

G-RMAC Classic #109



On 16/06/14 15:15, Andrew Sarangan wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 The fuel tank is translucent. One can clearly see the fuel level by

 eye. So, it occurred to me why not build a fuel level sensor that

 attaches to the outside of the tank? I recently built such a unit with

 LED illuminators and detectors, and it works like a charm. It even

 shows the waves when the fuel is sloshing around. Only question is,

 how does the translucency of the tank change with time? If it becomes

 totally opaque in a few years, then this won't work. I can post

 further details of the device if anyone is interested.

kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 1:53 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Andrew,



What to do about a fuel gauge has been a bone of contention for me.  I would 

very much appreciate your sharing how you made your device.



Only thing is, can your set-up be accomplished AFTER the fuel tank and 

module are installed?



Thanks



Kingsley in Oz.

--

asarangan(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 6:03 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

I will take some photos and write up some details in a few days.



The idea was based on what I accidentally observed one day when

holding a flash light to the fuel tank. When the flash light is held

below the fuel level, the entire fluid lights up. When the flash light

is above the level, the tank lights up. The contrast across the fluid

level is about 10x. This is due to light being trapped above or below

the level. See attached pictures.



So, I made a board with four LEDs in a column, and another board with

10 photodetectors in a column. Using a microcontroller, I am flashing

each LED in sequence, and then computing the liquid level based on the

measured contrast. The output is displayed on a 10-bar display. The

LED board will attach to the aft of the baggage bay bulkhead, with

four holes to allow the light to get through. The detector board has

to attach somewhere on the front side of the tank. This might be the

tricky part because I need to make sure it is secure, but also

removable and does not interfere with the controls.





On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 5:52 AM, Kingsley Hurst

<kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au> wrote:

[quote] 

 <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au>



 Andrew,



 What to do about a fuel gauge has been a bone of contention for me.  I would

 very much appreciate your sharing how you made your device.



 Only thing is, can your set-up be accomplished AFTER the fuel tank and

 module are installed?



 Thanks



 Kingsley in Oz.

 --

IMG_3404.JPG

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203.58 KB

Viewed:

12869 Time(s)

IMG_3395.JPG

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peterz(at)zutrasoft.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 6:37 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Ingenious! Truly slick and (mechanically) simple and non-intrusive. Patent it, quick! 

Would you be amiable to supplying code etc. to avoid duplication of effort?

Cheers and thx!

  Pete

A239

On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 10:02 AM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com (asarangan(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

  [quote]I will take some photos and write up some details in a few days.

 The idea was based on what I accidentally observed one day when

 holding a flash light to the fuel tank. When the flash light is held

 below the fuel level, the entire fluid lights up. When the flash light

 is above the level, the tank lights up. The contrast across the fluid

 level is about 10x. This is due to light being trapped above or below

 the level. See attached pictures.

 So, I made a board with four LEDs in a column, and another board with

 10 photodetectors in a column. Using a microcontroller, I am flashing

 each LED in sequence, and then computing the liquid level based on the

 measured contrast. The output is displayed on a 10-bar display. The

 LED board will attach to the aft of the baggage bay bulkhead, with

 four holes to allow the light to get through. The detector board has

 to attach somewhere on the front side of the tank. This might be the

 tricky part because I need to make sure it is secure, but also

 removable and does not interfere with the controls.

 On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 5:52 AM, Kingsley Hurst

 <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au (kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au)> wrote:

 > --> Europa-List message posted by: "Kingsley Hurst"

 > <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au (kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au)>

 >

 > Andrew,

 >

 > What to do about a fuel gauge has been a bone of contention for me. Â I would

 > very much appreciate your sharing how you made your device.

 >

 > Only thing is, can your set-up be accomplished AFTER the fuel tank and

 > module are installed?

 >

 > Thanks

 >

 > Kingsley in Oz.

 >

 >

 > --

nigel_graham(at)m-tecque.
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 7:07 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

I did a similar thing some years back when building an alloy tank. I 

used a series of solid-state liquid level sensors (data sheet attached) 

that incorporate a photo diode and photo transistor moulded into a 

polysulphone housing. The domed end uses the simple effect of total 

internal reflection to either switch the transistor on or off depending 

on whether it is immersed or not.

I mounted mine in tapped bosses on the surface of the tank, but these 

could easily be built into a "dip-stick" and mounted from the top of the 

plastic tank. Just another variation on a theme.

Nigel

On 17/06/2014 15:02, Andrew Sarangan wrote:

[quote] I will take some photos and write up some details in a few days.

 The idea was based on what I accidentally observed one day when

 holding a flash light to the fuel tank. When the flash light is held

 below the fuel level, the entire fluid lights up. When the flash light

 is above the level, the tank lights up. The contrast across the fluid

 level is about 10x. This is due to light being trapped above or below

 the level. See attached pictures.

 So, I made a board with four LEDs in a column, and another board with

 10 photodetectors in a column. Using a microcontroller, I am flashing

 each LED in sequence, and then computing the liquid level based on the

 measured contrast. The output is displayed on a 10-bar display. The

 LED board will attach to the aft of the baggage bay bulkhead, with

 four holes to allow the light to get through. The detector board has

 to attach somewhere on the front side of the tank. This might be the

 tricky part because I need to make sure it is secure, but also

 removable and does not interfere with the controls.

 On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 5:52 AM, Kingsley Hurst

 <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au> wrote:

> 

> <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au>

>

> Andrew,

>

> What to do about a fuel gauge has been a bone of contention for me.  I would

> very much appreciate your sharing how you made your device.

>

> Only thing is, can your set-up be accomplished AFTER the fuel tank and

> module are installed?

>

> Thanks

>

> Kingsley in Oz.

> --

XP4059_-_Liquid_Level_Sensor.pdf

Description:

Download

Filename:

XP4059_-_Liquid_Level_Sensor.pdf

Filesize:

71.29 KB

Downloaded:

446 Time(s)

Fred Klein

Joined: 26 Mar 2012
Posts: 503

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 7:37 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Andrew…I’m dazzled…you are indeed a very clever fellow…kudos…Fred

On Jun 17, 2014, at 7:02 AM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com> wrote:

[quote] I will take some photos and write up some details in a few days.

 The idea was based on what I accidentally observed one day when

 holding a flash light to the fuel tank. When the flash light is held

 below the fuel level, the entire fluid lights up. When the flash light

 is above the level, the tank lights up. The contrast across the fluid

 level is about 10x. This is due to light being trapped above or below

 the level. See attached pictures.

 So, I made a board with four LEDs in a column, and another board with

 10 photodetectors in a column. Using a microcontroller, I am flashing

 each LED in sequence, and then computing the liquid level based on the

 measured contrast. The output is displayed on a 10-bar display. The

 LED board will attach to the aft of the baggage bay bulkhead, with

 four holes to allow the light to get through. The detector board has

 to attach somewhere on the front side of the tank. This might be the

 tricky part because I need to make sure it is secure, but also

 removable and does not interfere with the controls.

 On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 5:52 AM, Kingsley Hurst

 <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au> wrote:

> 

> <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au>

> 

> Andrew,

> 

> What to do about a fuel gauge has been a bone of contention for me.  I would

> very much appreciate your sharing how you made your device.

> 

> Only thing is, can your set-up be accomplished AFTER the fuel tank and

> module are installed?

> 

> Thanks

> 

> Kingsley in Oz.

> 

> 

> --

peterz(at)zutrasoft.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 7:40 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Very nice sensor (I would go the paralled 'dipstick' tube route) - thx for the link!Â  I could not find any compatibility tables and wonder if any of the nasties (are there chlorinated solvents?) in auto fuel are a problem.

  



I guess the key to Andrew's eloquent solution of actually using the tank as the optical refractor is that there is no fuel contact with any sensors, nor any additional plumbing required. 

Cheers & thx,

  Pete



On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 11:07 AM, Nigel Graham <nigel_graham(at)m-tecque.co.uk (nigel_graham(at)m-tecque.co.uk)> wrote:

  [quote]I did a similar thing some years back when building an alloy tank. I used a series of solid-state liquid level sensors (data sheet attached) that incorporate a photo diode and photo transistor moulded into a polysulphone housing. The domed end uses the simple effect of total internal reflection to either switch the transistor on or off depending on whether it is immersed or not.

   I mounted mine in tapped bosses on the surface of the tank, but these could easily be built into a "dip-stick" and mounted from the top of the plastic tank. Just another variation on a theme.

   

 Nigel

 

 On 17/06/2014 15:02, Andrew Sarangan wrote:

 [quote] I will take some photos and write up some details in a few days.

 

 The idea was based on what I accidentally observed one day when

 holding a flash light to the fuel tank. When the flash light is held

 below the fuel level, the entire fluid lights up. When the flash light

 is above the level, the tank lights up. The contrast across the fluid

 level is about 10x. This is due to light being trapped above or below

 the level. See attached pictures.

 

 So, I made a board with four LEDs in a column, and another board with

 10 photodetectors in a column. Using a microcontroller, I am flashing

 each LED in sequence, and then computing the liquid level based on the

 measured contrast. The output is displayed on a 10-bar display. The

 LED board will attach to the aft of the baggage bay bulkhead, with

 four holes to allow the light to get through. The detector board has

 to attach somewhere on the front side of the tank. This might be the

 tricky part because I need to make sure it is secure, but also

 removable and does not interfere with the controls.

 

 

 

 

 On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 5:52 AM, Kingsley Hurst

 <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au (kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au)> wrote:

 [quote] --> Europa-List message posted by: "Kingsley Hurst"

 <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au (kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au)>

 

 Andrew,

 

 What to do about a fuel gauge has been a bone of contention for me. Â I would

 very much appreciate your sharing how you made your device.

 

 Only thing is, can your set-up be accomplished AFTER the fuel tank and

 module are installed?

 

 Thanks

 

 Kingsley in Oz.

 

 

 --

peterz(at)zutrasoft.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:25 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

(since "it's only sofware"  .....



Â I could see using two banks of LED's and sensors, one for each side of the saddle, which would provide for very easy and quick self-check/fault detection (when above reserve), as well as L/R reserve levels when getting that low on fuel.

  



That is truly cool.



Cheers,

Pete



On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 11:37 AM, Fred Klein <fklein(at)orcasonline.com (fklein(at)orcasonline.com)> wrote:

  [quote]--> Europa-List message posted by: Fred Klein <fklein(at)orcasonline.com (fklein(at)orcasonline.com)>

   

 Andrewâ€¦Iâ€™m dazzledâ€¦you are indeed a very clever fellowâ€¦kudosâ€¦Fred

 

 On Jun 17, 2014, at 7:02 AM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com (asarangan(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

 

 > I will take some photos and write up some details in a few days.

 >

 > The idea was based on what I accidentally observed one day when

 > holding a flash light to the fuel tank. When the flash light is held

 > below the fuel level, the entire fluid lights up. When the flash light

 > is above the level, the tank lights up. The contrast across the fluid

 > level is about 10x. This is due to light being trapped above or below

 > the level. See attached pictures.

 >

 > So, I made a board with four LEDs in a column, and another board with

 > 10 photodetectors in a column. Using a microcontroller, I am flashing

 > each LED in sequence, and then computing the liquid level based on the

 > measured contrast. The output is displayed on a 10-bar display. The

 > LED board will attach to the aft of the baggage bay bulkhead, with

 > four holes to allow the light to get through. The detector board has

 > to attach somewhere on the front side of the tank. This might be the

 > tricky part because I need to make sure it is secure, but also

 > removable and does not interfere with the controls.

 >

 >

 >

 >

 > On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 5:52 AM, Kingsley Hurst

 > <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au (kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au)> wrote:

 >> --> Europa-List message posted by: "Kingsley Hurst"

 >> <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au (kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au)>

 >>

 >> Andrew,

 >>

 >> What to do about a fuel gauge has been a bone of contention for me. Â I would

 >> very much appreciate your sharing how you made your device.

 >>

 >> Only thing is, can your set-up be accomplished AFTER the fuel tank and

 >> module are installed?

 >>

 >> Thanks

 >>

 >> Kingsley in Oz.

 >>

 >>

 >> --

wdaniell.longport(at)gmai
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:39 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Yes very cunning indeed.Â  Im Deeply impressed too On 17 Jun 2014 11:30, "Peter Zutrauen" <peterz(at)zutrasoft.com (peterz(at)zutrasoft.com)> wrote:[quote] (since "it's only sofware"  .....



Â I could see using two banks of LED's and sensors, one for each side of the saddle, which would provide for very easy and quick self-check/fault detection (when above reserve), as well as L/R reserve levels when getting that low on fuel.

   



That is truly cool.



Cheers,

Pete



On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 11:37 AM, Fred Klein <fklein(at)orcasonline.com (fklein(at)orcasonline.com)> wrote:

   [quote]--> Europa-List message posted by: Fred Klein <fklein(at)orcasonline.com (fklein(at)orcasonline.com)>

    

 Andrewâ€¦Iâ€™m dazzledâ€¦you are indeed a very clever fellowâ€¦kudosâ€¦Fred

 

 On Jun 17, 2014, at 7:02 AM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com (asarangan(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

 

 > I will take some photos and write up some details in a few days.

 >

 > The idea was based on what I accidentally observed one day when

 > holding a flash light to the fuel tank. When the flash light is held

 > below the fuel level, the entire fluid lights up. When the flash light

 > is above the level, the tank lights up. The contrast across the fluid

 > level is about 10x. This is due to light being trapped above or below

 > the level. See attached pictures.

 >

 > So, I made a board with four LEDs in a column, and another board with

 > 10 photodetectors in a column. Using a microcontroller, I am flashing

 > each LED in sequence, and then computing the liquid level based on the

 > measured contrast. The output is displayed on a 10-bar display. The

 > LED board will attach to the aft of the baggage bay bulkhead, with

 > four holes to allow the light to get through. The detector board has

 > to attach somewhere on the front side of the tank. This might be the

 > tricky part because I need to make sure it is secure, but also

 > removable and does not interfere with the controls.

 >

 >

 >

 >

 > On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 5:52 AM, Kingsley Hurst

 > <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au (kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au)> wrote:

 >> --> Europa-List message posted by: "Kingsley Hurst"

 >> <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au (kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au)>

 >>

 >> Andrew,

 >>

 >> What to do about a fuel gauge has been a bone of contention for me. Â I would

 >> very much appreciate your sharing how you made your device.

 >>

 >> Only thing is, can your set-up be accomplished AFTER the fuel tank and

 >> module are installed?

 >>

 >> Thanks

 >>

 >> Kingsley in Oz.

 >>

 >>

 >> --

asarangan(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 9:17 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

One could easily make two sets of these boards and install on both

sides of the saddle.



There is a major caveat to this method - if the tank is full to the

brim, the sensor will not be able to detect the edge, so it will give

an error. Similary, if the level is below the lowest photodetector, it

will read an error. Now, there might be a way to detect those

conditions too, by checking the light intensity and color, but I

didn't go that far.



The chip is Atmel ATTiny40 and the code is in C. I can provide that so

one does not have to redevelop it.



I will post details after this weekend.

On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 12:24 PM, Peter Zutrauen <peterz(at)zutrasoft.com> wrote:

[quote] (since "it's only sofware"  .....



  I could see using two banks of LED's and sensors, one for each side of the

 saddle, which would provide for very easy and quick self-check/fault

 detection (when above reserve), as well as L/R reserve levels when getting

 that low on fuel.



 That is truly cool.



 Cheers,

 Pete

 On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 11:37 AM, Fred Klein <fklein(at)orcasonline.com> wrote:

>

> 

>

> Andrewâ€¦Iâ€™m dazzledâ€¦you are indeed a very clever fellowâ€¦kudosâ€¦Fred

>

> On Jun 17, 2014, at 7:02 AM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com> wrote:

>

> > I will take some photos and write up some details in a few days.

> >

> > The idea was based on what I accidentally observed one day when

> > holding a flash light to the fuel tank. When the flash light is held

> > below the fuel level, the entire fluid lights up. When the flash light

> > is above the level, the tank lights up. The contrast across the fluid

> > level is about 10x. This is due to light being trapped above or below

> > the level. See attached pictures.

> >

> > So, I made a board with four LEDs in a column, and another board with

> > 10 photodetectors in a column. Using a microcontroller, I am flashing

> > each LED in sequence, and then computing the liquid level based on the

> > measured contrast. The output is displayed on a 10-bar display. The

> > LED board will attach to the aft of the baggage bay bulkhead, with

> > four holes to allow the light to get through. The detector board has

> > to attach somewhere on the front side of the tank. This might be the

> > tricky part because I need to make sure it is secure, but also

> > removable and does not interfere with the controls.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 5:52 AM, Kingsley Hurst

> > <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au> wrote:

> >> 

> >> <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au>

> >>

> >> Andrew,

> >>

> >> What to do about a fuel gauge has been a bone of contention for me.  I

> >> would

> >> very much appreciate your sharing how you made your device.

> >>

> >> Only thing is, can your set-up be accomplished AFTER the fuel tank and

> >> module are installed?

> >>

> >> Thanks

> >>

> >> Kingsley in Oz.

> >>

> >>

> >> --

peterz(at)zutrasoft.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 10:07 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Cool!Â  I'll be looking forward to having some fun in C 

The Full/empty condition could be accomplished with an intensity check (as you have suggested) in parallel with keeping the recent historical data/trend for context (ie full vs empty)

  

thx!



Pete





On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 1:16 PM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com (asarangan(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

  [quote]--> Europa-List message posted by: Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com (asarangan(at)gmail.com)>

   

 

One could easily make two sets of these boards and install on both

 sides of the saddle.

 

 There is a major caveat to this method - if the tank is full to the

 brim, the sensor will not be able to detect the edge, so it will give

 an error. Similary, if the level is below the lowest photodetector, it

 will read an error. Now, there might be a way to detect those

 conditions too, by checking the light intensity and color, but I

 didn't go that far.

 

 The chip is Atmel ATTiny40 and the code is in C. I can provide that so

 one does not have to redevelop it.

 

 I will post details after this weekend.

 

 

 On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 12:24 PM, Peter Zutrauen <peterz(at)zutrasoft.com (peterz(at)zutrasoft.com)> wrote:

 > (since "it's only sofware"  .....

 >

 > Â I could see using two banks of LED's and sensors, one for each side of the

 > saddle, which would provide for very easy and quick self-check/fault

 > detection (when above reserve), as well as L/R reserve levels when getting

 > that low on fuel.

 >

 > That is truly cool.

 >

 > Cheers,

 > Pete

 >

 >

 > On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 11:37 AM, Fred Klein <fklein(at)orcasonline.com (fklein(at)orcasonline.com)> wrote:

 >>

 >> --> Europa-List message posted by: Fred Klein <fklein(at)orcasonline.com (fklein(at)orcasonline.com)>

 >>

 >> Andrewâ€¦Iâ€™m dazzledâ€¦you are indeed a very clever fellowâ€¦kudosâ€¦Fred

 >>

 >> On Jun 17, 2014, at 7:02 AM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com (asarangan(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

 >>

 >> > I will take some photos and write up some details in a few days.

 >> >

 >> > The idea was based on what I accidentally observed one day when

 >> > holding a flash light to the fuel tank. When the flash light is held

 >> > below the fuel level, the entire fluid lights up. When the flash light

 >> > is above the level, the tank lights up. The contrast across the fluid

 >> > level is about 10x. This is due to light being trapped above or below

 >> > the level. See attached pictures.

 >> >

 >> > So, I made a board with four LEDs in a column, and another board with

 >> > 10 photodetectors in a column. Using a microcontroller, I am flashing

 >> > each LED in sequence, and then computing the liquid level based on the

 >> > measured contrast. The output is displayed on a 10-bar display. The

 >> > LED board will attach to the aft of the baggage bay bulkhead, with

 >> > four holes to allow the light to get through. The detector board has

 >> > to attach somewhere on the front side of the tank. This might be the

 >> > tricky part because I need to make sure it is secure, but also

 >> > removable and does not interfere with the controls.

 >> >

 >> >

 >> >

 >> >

 >> > On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 5:52 AM, Kingsley Hurst

 >> > <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au (kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au)> wrote:

 >> >> --> Europa-List message posted by: "Kingsley Hurst"

 >> >> <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au (kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au)>

 >> >>

 >> >> Andrew,

 >> >>

 >> >> What to do about a fuel gauge has been a bone of contention for me. Â I

 >> >> would

 >> >> very much appreciate your sharing how you made your device.

 >> >>

 >> >> Only thing is, can your set-up be accomplished AFTER the fuel tank and

 >> >> module are installed?

 >> >>

 >> >> Thanks

 >> >>

 >> >> Kingsley in Oz.

 >> >>

 >> >>

 >> >> --

tonyrenshaw268(at)gmail.c
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 2:25 pm Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Hi Andrew,

Its probably not worth worrying about either of the scenarios, too much or too little fuel. In both cases you know why, so possibly that is irrelevant. It’ll come good when the level drops from full, and there is a really big indicator out the window if the fuel gets too low.

TR



On 18 Jun 2014, at 3:16 am, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com> wrote:



[quote] 

 

 One could easily make two sets of these boards and install on both

 sides of the saddle.

 

 There is a major caveat to this method - if the tank is full to the

 brim, the sensor will not be able to detect the edge, so it will give

 an error. Similary, if the level is below the lowest photodetector, it

 will read an error. Now, there might be a way to detect those

 conditions too, by checking the light intensity and color, but I

 didn't go that far.

 

 The chip is Atmel ATTiny40 and the code is in C. I can provide that so

 one does not have to redevelop it.

 

 I will post details after this weekend.

 

 

 On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 12:24 PM, Peter Zutrauen <peterz(at)zutrasoft.com> wrote:

> (since "it's only sofware"  .....

> 

> I could see using two banks of LED's and sensors, one for each side of the

> saddle, which would provide for very easy and quick self-check/fault

> detection (when above reserve), as well as L/R reserve levels when getting

> that low on fuel.

> 

> That is truly cool.

> 

> Cheers,

> Pete

> 

> 

> On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 11:37 AM, Fred Klein <fklein(at)orcasonline.com> wrote:

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> Andrew…I’m dazzled…you are indeed a very clever fellow…kudos…Fred

>> 

>> On Jun 17, 2014, at 7:02 AM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com> wrote:

>> 

>>> I will take some photos and write up some details in a few days.

>>> 

>>> The idea was based on what I accidentally observed one day when

>>> holding a flash light to the fuel tank. When the flash light is held

>>> below the fuel level, the entire fluid lights up. When the flash light

>>> is above the level, the tank lights up. The contrast across the fluid

>>> level is about 10x. This is due to light being trapped above or below

>>> the level. See attached pictures.

>>> 

>>> So, I made a board with four LEDs in a column, and another board with

>>> 10 photodetectors in a column. Using a microcontroller, I am flashing

>>> each LED in sequence, and then computing the liquid level based on the

>>> measured contrast. The output is displayed on a 10-bar display. The

>>> LED board will attach to the aft of the baggage bay bulkhead, with

>>> four holes to allow the light to get through. The detector board has

>>> to attach somewhere on the front side of the tank. This might be the

>>> tricky part because I need to make sure it is secure, but also

>>> removable and does not interfere with the controls.

>>> 

>>> 

>>> 

>>> 

>>> On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 5:52 AM, Kingsley Hurst

>>> <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au> wrote:

>>>> 

>>>> <kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.au>

>>>> 

>>>> Andrew,

>>>> 

>>>> What to do about a fuel gauge has been a bone of contention for me.  I

>>>> would

>>>> very much appreciate your sharing how you made your device.

>>>> 

>>>> Only thing is, can your set-up be accomplished AFTER the fuel tank and

>>>> module are installed?

>>>> 

>>>> Thanks

>>>> 

>>>> Kingsley in Oz.

>>>> 

>>>> 

>>>> --

kingsnjan(at)westnet.com.
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 2:48 pm Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Many thanks Andrew, much appreciated.  Oh to have a knowledge of 

microprocessors and all that stuff!  My only experience with electronics was 

in the discrete component age in the early 60's when a flip flop was on a 42 

pin module.  I thought that was marvellous at the time!!



I await further updates from you.



Cheers

Kingsley



do not archive



--

paul.the.aviator(at)gmail
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 2:52 pm Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Andrew, since you are writing code you might like to incorporate compensation tables for the shape of the tank so you get a linear scale.



The system I have is a variant of Tony K's that weights the fuel with a 0 ~ 1" pressure transducer. The fuel sloshing and tank shape compensation is done with a PIC Micro.  It has worked flawlessly for 10 years.



Cheers, Paul 



--

asarangan(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:13 pm Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Regarding the fuel indicator, I made a brief video to show how it

works. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zagLfErDOQI

On Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 6:51 PM, Paul McAllister

<paul.the.aviator(at)gmail.com> wrote:

[quote] 



 Andrew, since you are writing code you might like to incorporate compensation tables for the shape of the tank so you get a linear scale.



 The system I have is a variant of Tony K's that weights the fuel with a 0 ~ 1" pressure transducer. The fuel sloshing and tank shape compensation is done with a PIC Micro.  It has worked flawlessly for 10 years.



 Cheers, Paul



 --

peterz(at)zutrasoft.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:45 pm Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

An ingenious solution, and perfectly executed. Kudos!

You could sell it easily to the other builders like me, or at least the board layout, and code....(which I'd like to duplicate for each saddle, and add some software error checking etc).

Thanks for the great vid!!

Cheers,

Pete 

A239

[quote] On Jun 22, 2014, at 10:12 PM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com> wrote:

 Regarding the fuel indicator, I made a brief video to show how it

 works. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zagLfErDOQI

 On Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 6:51 PM, Paul McAllister

 <paul.the.aviator(at)gmail.com> wrote:

> 

> 

> Andrew, since you are writing code you might like to incorporate compensation tables for the shape of the tank so you get a linear scale.

> 

> The system I have is a variant of Tony K's that weights the fuel with a 0 ~ 1" pressure transducer. The fuel sloshing and tank shape compensation is done with a PIC Micro.  It has worked flawlessly for 10 years.

> 

> Cheers, Paul

> 

> --

asarangan(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:21 pm Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Will be happy to send you the board layout, schematics and the code.

Let me clean it up a bit so it is a more readable.

On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 10:45 PM, Pete <peterz(at)zutrasoft.com> wrote:

[quote] 

 An ingenious solution, and perfectly executed. Kudos!

 You could sell it easily to the other builders like me, or at least the board layout, and code....(which I'd like to duplicate for each saddle, and add some software error checking etc).

 Thanks for the great vid!!

 Cheers,

 Pete 

 A239

> On Jun 22, 2014, at 10:12 PM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com> wrote:

>

> 

>

> Regarding the fuel indicator, I made a brief video to show how it

> works. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zagLfErDOQI

> On Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 6:51 PM, Paul McAllister

> <paul.the.aviator(at)gmail.com> wrote:

>> 

>>

>> Andrew, since you are writing code you might like to incorporate compensation tables for the shape of the tank so you get a linear scale.

>>

>> The system I have is a variant of Tony K's that weights the fuel with a 0 ~ 1" pressure transducer. The fuel sloshing and tank shape compensation is done with a PIC Micro.  It has worked flawlessly for 10 years.

>>

>> Cheers, Paul

>>

>> --

Fred Klein

Joined: 26 Mar 2012
Posts: 503

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:48 pm Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Andrew…how outstanding…well done…I salute you for your skill and understanding of a realm in which I fear to tread…Fred

On Jun 22, 2014, at 7:12 PM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com (asarangan(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

[quote]Regarding the fuel indicator, I made a brief video to show how itworks. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zagLfErDOQI[b]

rlborger(at)mac.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 3:35 am Post subject: Noncontact fuel level indicator

Andrew,



It is one fantastic idea!  



Question: Since you are looking at diffused/scattered light not transmitted light, does it require 2 boards or could the whole thing be done with a single board?  LED’s down the left side & detectors down the right.  Perhaps a light barrier between the emitters & detectors. Less wiring complication that way?



Blue skies & tailwinds,

Bob Borger

Europa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop (50 hrs).

Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP

3705 Lynchburg Dr.

Corinth, TX  76208-5331

Cel: 817-992-1117

rlborger(at)mac.com

On Jun 22, 2014, at 9:12 PM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan(at)gmail.com> wrote:






Regarding the fuel indicator, I made a brief video to show how it

works. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zagLfErDOQI

On Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 6:51 PM, Paul McAllister

<paul.the.aviator(at)gmail.com> wrote:

[quote] 

 

 Andrew, since you are writing code you might like to incorporate compensation tables for the shape of the tank so you get a linear scale.

 

 The system I have is a variant of Tony K's that weights the fuel with a 0 ~ 1" pressure transducer. The fuel sloshing and tank shape compensation is done with a PIC Micro.  It has worked flawlessly for 10 years.

 

 Cheers, Paul

 

 --

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