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Fuel Flow Sender

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 3:57 pm
by Barnstormer
Gentleman

Where can I obtain a fuel flow sender, except for MGL.

MGL does mention that you can use an automotive fuel flow sender, but I can't find one at any of the local parts, diesel or Bosch centers.

Also, which type of level sender would you recommend? You get the type with an arm and also the tube type. I think the latter would be more accurate?

I'm just weighing options at this stage.

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 4:34 pm
by Morph
IMHO the resitive tube type levels are the best. The capacitive ones are krap and the lever ones move around too much. However this all depends on the shape of your tank. If tall tubes are best, if flat levers are best

Why don't you want to use the MGL fuel flow sender?

Flow Meter

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 5:04 pm
by ZULU1
Try RS Components, they courier and have a serious quantity to choose from:

http://www.rssouthafrica.com

Try part # 185 9982

Failing that try Farnells (Google it) and the local agent is Mantech, for costing take the £ price and multiply x 17 for ZAR.

Eish Zulu1

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:17 am
by Barnstormer
Thx Morph!

Tube will thus be best for my tanks.

I do not have a problem with the MGL sender. However, they mention that a normal automotive unit can be used. I thought there would be a good reason why they mention this. Price maybe? But, yep there is almost always a but, finding said sender at a automotive supplier seems to be something of a mystery (misery).

Thank you for the reply! I was hoping YOU would. :D 8)

Also, thank you for pointing out that resistive is the way to go.

Mr Zulu!

One of the other distinguished gentleman I was hoping to get a response from!

I appreciate your advice and will follow it.

Greetings!
:P

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:41 am
by Morph
Here are some options

Optifuel http://www.optifuel.co.za

Floscan http://www.floscan.com/html/blue/aviation.php

I cant find any references to automotive units which is probably why Rainier from MGL made his own

Fuel level senders are available from VDO's local distributor or your nearest spares shop. (Control Instruments http://www.control-instruments.com) Call them, maybe they have fuel flow senders as well

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:29 pm
by Byron
Aiden from Solo Wings has just replaced the one in my tank. I'm pretty sure it is of the automotive variety. Maybe give him a call.

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:43 am
by Morph
Byron,

I think you are referring to a fuel Level sender not a fuel Flow sender. :)

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:07 am
by Barnstormer
Hi Guys!

The following places do not stock fuel flow senders and can't get their hands on it either. (Any type we can use)

Control Instruments
Autozone
Bosch Centres
5x Diesel and Auto Electrical places I tried.

I am still to try Elpar. Control Instruments does the complete range of VDO. The friendly gentleman there advised me to try Elpar for a better price on a VDO fuel LEVEL sender, as Elpar might buy bigger quantities. As Morph said, they also recommend the tube type above the float type.

I even contacted a friend at BMW. The cars do not use fuel flow sender to calculate fuel consumption, they use more advanced and fancy methods which I am not capable of explaining. Basically it is about pressure, flow of mixed gas, amount of air etc.

Greetings and thank you for the comments.

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:22 am
by Morph
A lot of fuel injector cars use the electronics of the fuel injectors to measure fuel flow so thus don't need a standalone unit.

So I guess it's back to MGL or Optifuel,

MGL are cheaper and work incredibly well.