Choosing the right fuel sensor for your need will bring you important savings. In order for you not to waste time and money find below the 7 key criteria to compare Resistive fuel Sensors, Ultrasonic fuel Sensors, CANBUS Fuel Sensors and High Precision Fuel Level Sensors.
Let's begin.
Accuracy & Precision
"Success rely on fuel level sensor precision"
In the first place, there are diesel fuel sensors that installed on 120G tanks would reach a 20G error margin. In fact this happens because vehicle manufacturers have put this devices in place to advice the driver when to refuel. At the same time, there are fuel sensors available that will reach 1G error margin for the same tank. Usually the best provide +-0.8% error margin.
Fuel level Sensor Filtering
Due to:
- Inclination,
- Hard turning,
- Breaking,
- and hard accelerations,
fuel experience high G forces. Consequently, those G forces generates waiving in the tank. In order to avoid false draining alarms fuel sensor choosen must provide advance electronics to smooth fuel volume. As an ilustration, resistive fuel level sensors waiving in a 120G tank would be around 20G. In conclusion, it is a bad practice to add devices to read fuel volume from this fuel sensor. if someone challenges this would have to use long averaging at software level. Indeed when this path is taken 10 to 15 minutes averaging have to be activated at software level, which will decrease the possibility to detect draining. A High precision fuel control system usually provide fuel volume every 20 seconds in software without any averaging.
Dead Zones
In the third place you need to asure that the sensor choosen measures the whole tank. As a matter of fact there are many fuel sensors in the market which do not measure 10G at the bottom, neither 15G at the top. This deficiency is normally found in all fuel level sensors provided by vehicle manufacturer. To demonstrate just refill your vehicle full then drive 10 miles and notice that your gauge is still Full.
So, this deficiency is well known as top dead zone. Also bottom dead zone exist. This behaviour is usually derived from flotar pendulum.
In summary, fuel level sensors with dead zones wont be bringing any savings. In fact 12G draining when tank is FULL won't be detected.
Unfortunately many providers look desperately to mitigate this caveat using extenders. As a result extenders will bring more waiving and maintenance costs.
Fuel Level Sensor Mean Time between failures
Certainly is good to consider in the process durability and how long you should expected a failure having fuel level sensors operating under normal conditions. Also you should include Warranty term in your buying criteria. Given this points is important to notice that fuel sensors provided by manufacturer tend to fail shortly.
Important to realize is how often fuel sensor needs calibration because they involve cost of having the vehicle not operating. We strongly suggest to assure a fuel level sensor with a principle of operation that do not require any additional calibrations in its life spam.
In fact, all those companies operating in areas subject to EXPLOSION will require CERTIFIED EXPROOF Fuel level sensors. if this is your case of course you must include this in your buying criteria. Also some companies with high volume tanks will require CERTIFIED EXPROOF Fuel Level Sensors.
This could mean two things:
(1) Electrical and electronic components work in such low voltage and current that an spark won't be generated.
(2) Electrical and electronic components work in 12V or 24V so will be able to produce sparks but those electronics are fully isolated from environment.
Additionally, if you have large tanks you need a software capable of reporting fuel in large tanks and also fuel in vehicles. Also you will need sensors capable of reaching 2 or 3 meters.
Specifically if you purchase 10.000 Gallons you could be sure that those get delivered in your tank. Also you will be able to track how much fuel was transferred from that tank identify to which particular vehicle.
When fuel is not transferred to unauthorized recipients bottom line will be positively impacted.
For certain it would be important for you to do business with a provider with this capability.
In summary using one software to track fuel in vehicles and other software to track your large tanks will negatively impact traceability.
Turn key solution
Once the system is installed, having a software that integrates in one screen all information needed is a must. In fact your team will value seeing in one screen:
- Route,
- Voltage,
- Fuel Volume
- and Speed.
With these 4 variables it will be possible in a second to identify: draining, refueling, accumulator stolen, overconsumption and so on.
Service
At last, installing a fuel level sensors takes some hours. After that production begins, it could last 5, 10 or 15 years. if you have chosen fuel sensors which do not require periodic calibrations on vehicle maintenance won't be needed. Anyway, other important aspects will take relevance:
- Training,
- Support,
- Acompaniment to identify unauthorized behaviors.
- and time response.
Conclusions on How to chooose a Fuel Sensor
In essence if you follow these 7 criteria you will end up using Fuel Sensors that identifies:
Fuel Filling Lower than expected
Gas stations with meters not calibrated
Draining
Drop by Drop Draining
Finally, we invite you to evaluate by these 7 criteria Resistive Fuel Level Sensors, Ultrasonic Fuel Level Sensors, CANBUS Fuel Sensors and High Precision Fuel Level Sensors and find best technology for your need. Also you can fill the registration form above and start evaluating the cheapest fuel level sensors.
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