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01-05-2017, 08:14 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bowie MD
Posts: 886
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Cost effective binary fuel pressure sensor?
I have two 5gal aux tanks that will pump into my main wet wings. Been running all over the internet looking for a low pressure fuel switch that I can T into the feed line to tell me when the line pump runs the aux tank dry. Just some simple "there is pressure/there isnt pressure" switch that I can hook an idiot light to, to tell me to shut the pump off. Not at all keen on a diaphram/contactor style sensor as is typical for oil pressure switches. Just seems like an explosion waiting to happen when used with fuel/fuel vapor.
I also looked at optical sensors, but they are some $200+ per, and the economical plastic Honeywell ones are metric threads so no joy on a T (though I could hog one out of brass if I have to).
Anyone got any ideas?
__________________
Mani
Busby MustangII (FoldingWing) Pending DAR.
Don't be a hater; I'm a cousin with thin wings! 
N251Y (res)
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01-05-2017, 08:20 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Aurora, OR
Posts: 843
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Greg Hughes - Van's Aircraft - Community, Media, Marketing
Van's web site | Instagram | Facebook
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Building RV-8A since Sept 2014 (N88VX reserved)
Dual AFS 5600, Avidyne IFD 440, Whirlwind 74RV, Superior XP IO-360
VAF build thread - Flickr photo album - Project Facebook page
Aurora, OR (EAA Chapter 105)
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01-05-2017, 08:27 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bowie MD
Posts: 886
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Thats a piezo electric transducer, I'm pretty sure. It'll put out a varied voltage for a given pressure. I have no idea how to make that be a binary on/off 12v signal. I'm not a circuit guy or for sure I'd do it.
__________________
Mani
Busby MustangII (FoldingWing) Pending DAR.
Don't be a hater; I'm a cousin with thin wings! 
N251Y (res)
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01-05-2017, 09:02 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 821
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Diaphragm type switches are reliability used in aerospace applications. Stewart Warner/hobbs switches are used in many GA airplanes for fuel and oil pressure. Might give them a try.
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Dan Morris
Frederick, MD
PA28-140
Hph 304CZ
RV6 built and sold
N199EC RV6A flying
Learn the facts. "Democracy dies in darkness"
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01-05-2017, 09:17 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bowie MD
Posts: 886
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Like the Honeywell contactor units, the Stewart Warner 5000 series only list oils and Jet fuels, not gasoline or combustible fuels. Maybe I'm being overly cautious, but I dont get a warm fuzzy about using them in a 100LL line.
__________________
Mani
Busby MustangII (FoldingWing) Pending DAR.
Don't be a hater; I'm a cousin with thin wings! 
N251Y (res)
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01-05-2017, 09:35 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pocahontas MS
Posts: 3,884
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That's a knockoff of the Kavlico; available in many different pressure ranges. Zero to ~4.5volts output at full scale. Google 'voltage comparator' to find a circuit that you can set to trip at the voltage of your choice.
Or, find an oil pressure sender for a car that uses an 'idiot light' instead of a gauge. But you'll need to run your transfer line at similar pressures to an oil pump on an engine.
Optical sensors aren't always $200.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEMS-ELS-950...AAAOSwh2xYB90M
But...I contemplated doing it that way. If you insert it in a T fitting, the sensor T will probably need to be just above horizontal, so the fuel can cover the sensor cone while flowing, and drain away from it when the line empties.
Charlie
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01-06-2017, 05:46 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bowie MD
Posts: 886
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canadian_JOY
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Ah, now were talking. Thanks for this. These guys are using the metal GEMS sensor that I see thats well over $200 on Mouser, but in a package deal, esp the T arrangement. Might just do the trick.
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Looks like these guys had at one time (2003) a controller for the Facet cube pump to do exactly what I'm talking about, but Facet changed the pump design, so Pillar went with a more generic "controller" ala their existing off board set up.........
Thanks again to DR and VAF for a great info resource.
__________________
Mani
Busby MustangII (FoldingWing) Pending DAR.
Don't be a hater; I'm a cousin with thin wings! 
N251Y (res)
Last edited by maniago : 01-06-2017 at 06:08 AM.
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01-06-2017, 06:47 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Port Orange, FL
Posts: 54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maniago
I have two 5gal aux tanks that will pump into my main wet wings. Been running all over the internet looking for a low pressure fuel switch that I can T into the feed line to tell me when the line pump runs the aux tank dry. Just some simple "there is pressure/there isnt pressure" switch that I can hook an idiot light to, to tell me to shut the pump off. Not at all keen on a diaphram/contactor style sensor as is typical for oil pressure switches. Just seems like an explosion waiting to happen when used with fuel/fuel vapor.
I also looked at optical sensors, but they are some $200+ per, and the economical plastic Honeywell ones are metric threads so no joy on a T (though I could hog one out of brass if I have to).
Anyone got any ideas?
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You may find something here that will work:
http://www.omega.com/subsection/opti...FdgKgQodiQ4BoA
__________________
Pahan Ranasingha
Spruce Creek Airport 7FL6
Port Orange, FL
RV-7A N705RV (Sold)
Lancair IV-P N530P
RV-14A (Under Construction)
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