fuel sight gage

[michaelj]

I have fuel sight gages with three LEDs bonded to the base of each. In the same package are two units that I'm not sure what they are ( I'm the fourth owner of this project). They are red, about an inch long and have three wires protruding from one end (red,blue,yellow). Does anyone know what they are?

[macleodm3]

Can you post a picture?

[michaelj]

Hope this worked.

[Aiman]

My guess (and that's all it is) is that it's some sort of 'low fuel' level indicator or something. Could also light the liquid fuel so you can see the level easier.

 

Also could be (unlikely) some sort of low level sensor as well.

[michaelj]

I'm assuming that you didn't mean "ignite" the fuel so that you can see the level easier.

[Aiman]

Illuminate....

 

Maybe that's why we have had so many tank fires. It's not the static.. it's THESE!

[TMann]

My guess is it;e for illumination only. Did they come with a level indicator?

Red ball or something?

 

The other two sensors near the bottom appear to be a level warning but I have'nt seen these on other site guages so it may have been a builder mod.

 

Most likely they came from Vance Atkinson. He's the only guy I know that makes these.

 

There have been some changes to these. A fitting (I think it's a pop rivit without the shaft) has been added to the new kits which helps keep the system open and ensure accurate readings. If the lower hole gets obstructed, you could get a false reading of full which happened to John Slade.

[Wayne Hicks]

There are sensor-based systems out there that passively sense "low level." Typically, you'll see these as two sensors placed on opposite sides of the site glass about an eighth to a quarter ways up the site glass from its empty level. On the system we installed in my buddy's Long-EZ, the sensors were wired into an electronics box. The box tied into two "low level" warning lights that would illuminate whenever the fuel level reached the sensors.

 

This is not to be confused with LEDs that are there simply to illuminate the site glass when flying at night.

 

....and no, I no longer remember the name of the system or from where we got it.

[michaelj]

This is the best educated guess that has appeared. Wayne nailed the description. I had installed Vance Atkinsons sight gages before I realized that I had these. I'm going to keep Vance's gages and add LEDs to the exterior.

[TMann]

..... another option would be to install these guages as a secondary just inside the strake. Makes for a pretty direct view angle.