Shenzhen Dianyingpu Technology Co., Ltd.

Professional in sensor products development and manufacture

Thanks for you purchase our ultrasonic fuel level detector. Please read
these instructions carefully before you use and keep them well after
reading for future reference.

Ultrasonic fuel level detector

Item#: DS1309

Physical map

Patent number: 201320654211.8

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一、 Description:
This ultrasonic fuel level detector uses the ultrasonic detection technology to measure the height of fuel level
in container and output a standard electrical signal after through circuit processing. Ultrasonic sensors outer
adheres on the bottom of the fuel tank and no need directly to contact with the fuel level that could be
real-time detection the height of fuel level. It could be widely used in various types of vehicles for fuel measuring
and monitoring, also could be combined with GPS/GPRS communication technology, through the computer
software management platform to achieve scientific management vehicles, prevent fuel theft behavior and save
the vehicle operating cost.

二、 Features:

1、 Measuring precision. The measurement resolution is 0.1mm and measurement accuracy is ±0.5%.
Ultrasonic sensor makes the temperature correction in -40 ℃ to +80 ℃ and make sure it could run
under the high or low temperature external environment and to collect accurate data.
2、 Good stability. It uses the newest ultrasonic non-contact technology, compare with the traditional
measuring method of direct contact 、float-type 、pressure-type 、magnetic system of sliding, it
does not contact with fuel level directly and could be sure its stability and long-life.
3、 Easy installation. You need to install it on the bottom of fuel tank and no need to change the original
tank structure, without punch or change the fuel tank and could measure the fuel capacity directly
so that could be saving the cost of installation;
4、 Simple application. When we designed this product before, we had taken into account to butt joint
with all kinds of communication product data. When you choose it you could find it could be directly
combined with the common GPS/GPRS transmission module thus to reduce the secondary
development of users’ and to achieve the correct and manage the height of liquid level;
5、 Strong antistatic ability (EMC). It could eliminate most of the auto parts produced by electrostatic
interference, even the lightning electromagnetic interference.
6、 With standardization data interface. There are analog voltage (1-5V) and current (4-20mA) output,
digital output of RS232 and RS485;
7、 Alarm output. It could be external horn and achieve alarm when the fuel level rapid
declines or the wire was cut;

三、 Usage:
1) Fuel level measurement of various kinds of vehicles (for current fuel capacity, refuel, fuel consumption and
anti-theft fuel);
2) In industrial: Measuring liquid displacement, thickness, distance, liquid level, material level …it is suitable for
measuring the level of medium, liquid gas medium height measurement;

四、 Technical parameters:

Data Processor
Operating Voltage DC9V-36V

Power supply ripple Less than 100mV

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Operating current Less than 55mA

4cm to 100cm;
Measuring distance
pressure-bearing range: -0.1MPa~32MPa

Resolution 0.1mm

Measurement accuracy 0.5% (see note 3)

Temperature compensation range -40 ℃- +80 ℃

Output mode:
Voltage output
1-5V (corresponding 0-100cm)
(default)
Analog output
Current output
4-20mA (corresponding 0-100cm)
(optional)

RS232(default)
Digital output See the “communication protocol”
RS485(optional)

need external connection a alarming horn to achieve

Anti-theft alarm output
alarm

Install method bottom of fuel tank/can, water tank

Material of tank/container Iron plate、aluminum、stainless steel (see note 4)

Thickness of material Within 5.5mm

Operating temperature -40 ℃ - +80 ℃

Storage temperature -50 ℃ - +100 ℃

Size 102*84 *25mm (with mounting holes)

Ultrasonic transducer
Operating temperature -40 ℃ - +80 ℃

IP grade IP66

Cable length 8m, with shield

Gross weight(G) About 7 70g

Notice:
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1) If no a ny requireme nt we’ll de livery the goods to you as the default output

mode: ana log output: 1 -5V + digital output: RS232; If you need other output
modes please advise us in advance;

2) The liquid measure is default as the diese l, the distance of the inter nal output is
calculated by the propa gation velocity of voic e in the diese l. If you want to
measure other liquid please advise us in advance;

3) The measurement accuracy is 0.5%, w hich is based on the liquid and the liquid
level is calm w ithout shaking , the material of f uel tank is iron, for the
measuring accuracy whi ch has 0 -5mm de viation as different mater ial a nd
thickness of fue l ta nk;

4) The measurement distance is based on the mater ial and thickness of tank, the
default testing tank is aluminum mater ial and the thick ness is 5.5mm; If test the
Iron plate and stainless steel, the real distance will be about 80cm; If the thickness of tank is
more than 5.5mm please also adv ise us in advance before purchasing;

五、 Instructions:

This detector has two types communication interfaces, they are digital output and analog output, which are
optional. The default communication interface is RS232, if you need RS485 or 4-20mA you'd better to advise us
in advance. Meantime each ultrasonic fuel level detector includes an analog voltage output, you could check the
output voltage by the common multimeter, the output voltage values representatives the corresponding height
of fuel level so could determine the installation is successful or not.

5.1 User interface instructions:

RS232 interface instruction:

The top left corner is Tout (TX); The top right corner is Rin (RX);
The lower left corner is Vout(voltage output); The lower right corner is GND;

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RS485 interface instruction:

The top left corner is A; The top right corner is B;
The lower left corner is Vout(voltage output); The lower right corner is GND;

Voltage output interface instruction:

The computational formula is: Distance = (Vout -1) * 250, the drive current of Vout is about 5mA; Such as the
measured voltage is 2.2V and the height of liquid level is 300mm.

4-20mA output interface instruction:

Current output adopts three-wire system, the power supply terminal connects with the power supply and lead
to the Iout and GND from the interface. It must be external a 250R resistance when measuring. The
computational formula is: Distance = (Iout - 4) * 62.5.

5.2 Product accessories:

1) Data processor X 1pcs;

2) Ultrasonic transducer X 1pcs;

3) Power wire X1pcs, length is 2m;

4) Abrasive paper (11cm X 14cm) X2pcs (crudeness x 1pcs, fineness x 1pcs );

5) The cable of RS232 or RS485 interface X 1pcs, length is 30cm;

6) Ultrasonic couplant X1pcs (could not be delivered by air);

7) AB glue X 1pcs (could not be delivered by air), we could offer 1pcs for testing sample, but could
offer 1pcs for each 20sets in mass production;

8) Ribbon(small) X 15pcs (5 X 200mm);

9) Ribbon (big) X1pcs (9 X 1200mm);

10) The cable of 4-20mA (optional) X 1pcs, length is 30cm;

11) Alarming horn (optional) X 1pcs;

12) Testing display board (optional) X 1pcs;

Reference as following:

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Power wire: Cable of 4-20mA The cable of RS232 and Ribbon (small): Ribbon (big):
interface (optional): RS485 interface:

Data processor: Ultrasonic transducer: Testing display board (optional):

Alarming horn (optional): Ultrasonic couplant: AB glue:

5.3 Instruction of system indicator light:

It has one system indicator light to illustrate the current system working status, as below:

1) After power-on, the system indicator light will flash each 0.5s, which means the ultrasonic transducer
connection is not successful or the installation is fail;

2) When it is in normally working, the system indicator light will flash each 1.5s, which means the fuel surface
is calm and without shaking;

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3) When it is in normally working, but the system indicator light will flash each 0.5s, which means the fuel
surface is shaking badly or inclined;

5.4 Instruction of alarm function:

This detector with an alarm function, need to connect with the alarming horn, and the operating voltage of horn
must be same with the processor’s. The alarm function takes effect after processor powers on one minute.
When the fuel level rapid declines more than 30mm within 30s or the wire of ultrasonic transducer was cut, it’ll
alarm 60 seconds. Users could set up the alarm threshold by themselves.

5.5 Adaptability instructions:

In order to ensure that adapt to all kinds of bad environment, the computation element of inside product is
integration of a variety of mathematical algorithms, details are:

5.6 For temperature influence issues:

The propagation velocity is affected by the temperature when the acoustic wave is in the medium of air, liquid,
solid and etc. So this product which surface of the ultrasonic transducer is integrated the temperature sensor.
When in actual use it is contacted with the container of measured liquid level surface closely, could accurately
measure the temperature of the measured object and calculate the acoustic velocity according to the formula at
different environment temperature and be sure the measured value is not affected by temperature.

5.7 Slosh effects issues:

When in actual use the accuracy of measurement of ultrasonic transducer is affected by the issues like road
roughness results in shaking, while accelerating 、slow down 、parking in slope. For these issues, the
computation element of inside product is integration of a variety of mathematical algorithms and be sure the
measured value is very close to the true value even if the data beating a lot when the car is shaking. When it is in
shaking the measurement accuracy could be sure in ±6mm and made the measured data achieving to the linear
relation.

5.8 The issues of vehicle parks in the slope:

When the vehicle is parking on the slope, the measurement accuracy of ultrasonic transducer is affected by the
slope, the steeper a slope is, the measure value is bigger than the true one, and the sensitivity of measurement
signal will be reduced. So for the vehicle is parking in the slope issues, the computation element of inside
product is integration of a variety of mathematical algorithms, the data will not be bigger or smaller, also won't
exist the false alarm even if the vehicle is parking in the slope. User should avoid long time parked his car on the
slop.

六、 Installation instructions:

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Outsole of fuel tank

Ultrasonic transducer

Front of probe

6.1 Installation steps:

1) Parked the car on a horizontal ground and make sure the allowance of level tank could not be less than 7cm
and then estimated the height of fuel level;

2) Choose a flat position on the bottom of tank/container’s partition where is far from the fuel float, fuel
delivery and return pipe, swash-plate. You had to use the crudeness sandpaper to grind the rough surface and
then use the fineness sandpaper to grind and make it smooth. For the circle tank you had to install it on the
section where is perpendicular to the surface of liquid, see image 6.1.1

Square tank circle tank

liquid

The section where is

Grind place perpendicular to the
surface of liquid Flat and smooth

3) Coated with coupling agent to the front of ultrasonic transducer and choose the good position for placing the
ultrasonic transducer and then press it so that ultrasonic transducer could contact with the bottom of fuel tank
closely, please see below image 6.1.2;

4) Connect the data processor to the electricity supply and check whether the indicator light flickers is 1.5

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seconds each time or not (recording light).Recording light means the installation is successful. You also could
use the multimeter to measure the voltage from analog voltage output and check whether the value is close
with the estimated height or not. Please see below image 6.1.3 which voltage from the analog voltage
output is 3.542V, according to the formula: Distance = (Vout-1 )* 250 we know the height of liquid level is
635.5mm. Or you could combine with the display board. If the indicator light flickers is 0.5 second each time
or the measured value from the analog voltage output is vary widely with the true value means the
installation is fail and you had to return to the step 2) and refind the suitable position.

5) In the step 4 if the estimated height is close to the true one you need to use the cleaning cloth to rub away
the ultrasonic acoustic couplant where is on the surface of ultrasonic transducer and bottom of fuel tan,
make sure it is clean and then smear the AB glue to replace it (repeat step 3). You had to mix the AB glue as
1:1 proportion to stir it evenly (this proportion is suitable for our AB glue only). It could not exist any air
bubble on the face when you smear the AB glue, and had to evenly smear it on the ultrasonic transducer
(make sure the whole face with the AB glue). AB glue will be fixed within 2-3 minutes, you had to press the
ultrasonic transducer tightly and could not move it. The operation will be finished within 5 minutes. Please
see below image 6.1.4;

6) After the glue fixed (need to press and fix the ultrasonic transducer about 1 minute) and re-up electricity to
the data processor, measured the voltage value from the analog voltage output, if the value is close to the
estimated one means the installation is successful; on the contrary you had to return and repeat above
steps. When you finish the installation you have to turn off it and then re-up electricity, recheck if the data is
normal or not. In normal you could drive the vehicle after the glue is caky (need to wait in 15-20minutes);

Suggestion:

1) At the time of installation, you’d better to use the multimeter or display board to check the data and
check if exists any block contents;
2) You had to find out the power supply during in the installation process (you'd better to take one of
your own storage battery, you could install the ultrasonic transducer to the fuel tank directly), you
need to fix the ultrasonic transducer firstly and then finish other operations;
3) The extension cord need to be fixed firmly and the junction must be tightened;
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6.2 Images of installations:

七、 Notes:
1) The cable length of ultrasonic transducer is default as 8 meters, users could not lengthen it any more, due to
the signal of ultrasonic transducer is affected by the length of cable (signal decay);

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2) Need to be sure the vehicle is stopped on the flat ground and the fuel/liquid level in tank could not be less
than 7cm before installing it;

3) You had to smear the ultrasonic coupling on the surface of ultrasonic transducer to find a suitable installation
position before installing it;

4) You could not pull up the ultrasonic transducer when it is in turn on status or the data will turn into “0”, and
the voltage will turn into “1V” which used to judge the ultrasonic transducer has trouble with the wire;

5) When you want to test the alarm function you need to wait for one minute after power on;

6) The processor need to be re-up electricity after installation, and then check the status of system indicator
light, if it flicker slowly more than 10s means the installation is successful or it is fail;

7) For RS232 and RS485 output modes which outputs signal automatically, you could find a correct data until the
installation is successful or will output a data is “0”, and output voltage will be “1V”;

八、 Trouble removal:
Problems Solutions

1. Check the probe of ultrasonic transducer is properly installed or not;

The measured analog voltage is very small and does

2. Check the interface of ultrasonic transducer is bad contact or loose;
not conform to the actual height of fuel level voltage.

3. Had to avoid the barrier when you choose the installation position;

1. Check the bottom of fuel tank and see whether is it flat and the surface
of bottom is bright or not;

2. The optimal installation position is the mounting point must be in the

center of the bottom of the fuel tank;

3. Have you clear up the oil paint where is on the bottom of tank;
There is not voltage output after finishing installation
and the system indicator light is fast flicker.
4. Have you parked the vehicle on the flat ground (not on the inclined
one);

5. The liquid if includes many mixture in the tank/container;

6. Be sure mix evenly and without air bubble when you smear the
ultrasonic coupling/AB glue;

九、 After-sales service:
1) It will be implemented by the state wrapped policy, one-year free warrant and maintenance for
lifetime;

2) During in the period of one year warranty, the shipping cost will be charged by the shippers;

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