Flexible fill level sensor with analogue signal

elobau is expanding its reed-based product range for the level measurement of fuels, coolants, oil, water and other chemical media with the new 298A fuel level sensor. “Design engineers and developers will," it says, "benefit from the compact, flexibly configurable fuel level sensor with analogue output signal.”

Fuel level sensors like the 298A enable the measurement of a tank's content. Continuous level measurement can increase operational readiness and prevent unplanned machine downtimes, due to an empty tank. This is equally as applicable to coolant or oil tanks of hydraulic systems, as it is to vehicle fuel tanks.

Analogue output signal

“The main difference to its proven sister product, the 298 fuel level sensor, lies in the output signal,” adds elobau. “While the 298 generates a resistance output signal, the 298A uses an analogue output signal, either as a current signal within the range 4 to 20 mA or a voltage signal within the range 0.5 to 4.5 V DC. This simplifies the integration into the vehicle's electrics considerably, since additional components such as converters can be omitted.

The simplified output signal enables a complication-free connection to other vehicle systems, such as the fill level indicator in the cab.  The 298A level indicator also benefits from most of the advantages of the 298.”

High degree of flexibility

Thanks to the reed technology, the fuel level sensor is described as especially robust against external influences, has a working temperature range of -40°C to max. +110°C and protection class IPX7 DIN EN 60529 inside containers and outside containers IPX7 DIN EN 60529 and IP6K9K ISO 20653. The head and pipe are made of aluminium.

A stainless steel version is currently under development and will be available later this year. The sealing material optionally consists of fluorocarbon rubber (FKM) or nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). “The integrated electronics allow for an especially compact design, whereby the 298A fuel level sensor can be used in a wide range of tank and hydraulic applications, such as agricultural and construction machinery, but also in industrial trucks and other off highway vehicles.”

The mechanical connection is made either using an asymmetrical 5-hole flange or a symmetrical 4-hole flange. The developers are also already working on the connection option using a size G1.5" or G2" mounting thread. The pipe length of 187 to 1,210 mm enables the use in a wide variety of tank sizes.

elobau also supports its customers with a tailored, application-specific configuration, whereby the fuel level sensor can be integrated into almost any machine or vehicle.

Sustainability in focus

The 298A fuel level sensor and entire product range has been produced in a carbon-neutral manner since 2010. 96% of the purchased parts originate from the EU, and the company generates around 70% of the required energy itself in its production facilities. For the carbon footprint, according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, elobau also records and compensates for indirect emissions across the entire value creation chain: eg, commuting mileage and transport journeys.