Why don't suggest ultrasonic fuel sensor

“Ultrasonic fuel sensor or traditional capacitive fuel sensor?”

This is a common question from the clients who need fuel monitoring solution.  

Ultrasonic fuel sensor is a relative new technology product.

The key advantage is the new installation way, avoid to drill the hole on the fuel tank.  

However, we still don’t suggest use the ultrasonic fuel sensor. Our suggestion is not from the book, is from the practice after several years observations.   

The ultrasonic fuel sensor has some limitations. These limitations are compared with the capacitive fuel sensor AS10 (CLS2)      

1. Ultrasonic fuel sensor installation way is not solid or easy to be loose. The probe of ultrasonic fuel sensor is fixed by glue and the holder on the fuel tank bottom. However, this way is not very reliable, especially as the usage time increases, the probe has higher possibility to be less touch with the fuel tank. The ultrasonic fuel sensor’s output value becomes error then.

First time to install the capacitive fuel sensor, the client may feel it is not easy. However, guided by the capacitive fuel sensor video and user guide, the learned skills can be copied for future other vehicle’s fuel sensor installations. Most important, after proper installation, the output value is very stable during the capacitive fuel sensor whole lifetime.  

2. The ultrasonic fuel sensor has blind zone (0-3cm) which can’t be detected well by the ultrasonic fuel sensor. Our experience is that the firmware of ultrasonic fuel sensor can’t deal with it well, it is possible stuck at the blind zone for a time period, then, the output result becomes false time to time.

By contrast, the capacitive fuel sensor firmware is very reliable, no any problem.   

3. The universality of ultrasonic fuel sensor is less.

There are different type materials fuel tanks. For example: the iron fuel tank, aluminum alloy fuel tank, the plastic fuel tank. Also the thicknesses of these fuel tanks are different. The ultrasonic fuel sensor’s performance is associated with the fuel tank materials and thickness, some fuel tanks may be not suitable for the ultrasonic fuel sensor. 

The capacitive fuel sensor is universal, suitable for different vehicle’s fuel tanks, the performance no difference.            

4. The ultrasonic fuel sensor’s durability also is a doubt point compare to the capacitive fuel sensor. This is also associated with the new technology, the ultrasonic fuel sensor is less product iteration.

On the other hand, the capacitive fuel sensor has been proved during past 20 years, the client can expect it works well for 5 years or above.

Fuel sensor is for good and stable output sensor value, the capacitive fuel sensor is much better to achieve this goal.