Belite Fuel Level System
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 5:16 am
by Skippydiesel
I would like to contact any one experienced in the Belite Fuel Level System.
https://www.radiantinstruments.com/prod … obe-system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xyC8iw-iGU
http://www.sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2868
https://vansairforce.net/community/show … p?t=128605
My son (mainly) & I have worked out most if not all of the deductions contained in the above.
We think we know what the solution is (a second pressure sensor T’d off the tank breather) BUT not sure of the most cost effective way of achieving this ($263US + delivery from Aircraft Spruce is a tad steep for a sensor )
Float Sensor Instead
Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2023 4:55 am
by GordonTurner
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I read all I could find about the belite sensor a year ago, and the numerous complaints about the quality and inherent limitations of the Princeton probe. Decided to go with a modern float system. Went to KUS manufacturing (located in Florida), got their basic stainless steel marine unit. It’s a vertical shaft (I got either 8.5”inside the tank (from the top), the only moving part is the donut shaped float. Quality seems very high and it should program easily with typical resistance ohm settings. To install it required something like a 1.125” hole for the sensor, and the five bolt SAE pattern. I purchased stainless bolts that are something like 1.5” king. I ground flats in the pointy end of each bolt to grip with pliers, then ran each one through a die to fix the threads. This allowed me to install the bolts through the center hole with the heads inside the tank, and tighten from the outside. I cut a hole in the aluminum Glareshield something like three inch diameter. In my installation I am installing an abs Glareshield over the top of all this, but I would accept the aesthetic penalty of the sensor and bolts to have the reliability and accuracy I expect to get from the float system, and no problems with changing fuel types 
Re: Belite Fuel Level System
Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2023 7:22 pm
by Skippydiesel
Thanks for that Gordon - I may have to go down your path, if I don’t find a cost effective solution to the Belites inability to compensate for tank internal pressure fluctuations, likely due to tank breather pressurisation.
It seems to me that the Belite fuel level sensing system, is actually being sold under false advertising, in that it would seem not to be fit for purpose.
Re: Belite Fuel Level System
Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2023 10:07 am
by GordonTurner
Probably works great in ultralights. Haven’t really studied them but I think they may tend to have more upright “jug” type tanks with vented caps…brought probably works great there.
Re: Belite Fuel Level System
Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2023 7:23 pm
by Skippydiesel
GordonTurner wrote:Probably works great in ultralights. Haven’t really studied them but I think they may tend to have more upright “jug” type tanks with vented caps…brought probably works great there.
From the research I and my Son have conducted, there are no successful (as in on going flying) Belite fuel tank level systems - The idea is great, it just doesn’t seem to work in the real world. A lot more work needs to be done before anyone one can claim this system has persistent reliable accuracy (in an aircraft). At this stage it would seem that anyone selling it should be subject to a claim for refund, as the product does not meet the “fit for purpose” standard ie its a “con”.
Like you I have decided to change track & go with a system that has a good performance track record.
Thanks for the KUS recommendation - will check them out.
Re: Float Sensor Instead
Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2023 7:41 pm
by BRS
GordonTurner wrote:… Went to KUS manufacturing (located in Florida), got their basic stainless steel marine unit. It’s a vertical shaft (I got either 8.5”inside the tank (from the top), the only moving part is the donut shaped float. Quality seems very high and it should program easily with typical resistance ohm settings. To install it required something like a 1.125” hole for the sensor, and the five bolt SAE pattern. I purchased stainless bolts that are something like 1.5” king. I ground flats in the pointy end of each bolt to grip with pliers, then ran each one through a die to fix the threads…
Good looking sensor.
How will you keep fuel from leaking up around the bolt threads?
As an alternative installation idea. Make a donut plate and tap it for the bolts. Then cut it in two (2 bolts and 3 bolts) and slip these through the center hole. Would be easy then to add some proseal on top of the plate around the bolts to make sure they seal up nicly. A bit of loktite or even safety wire the heads would keep the bolts from turning.
Re: Float Sensor Instead
Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2023 10:56 pm
by Skippydiesel
[Good looking sensor.
How will you keep fuel from leaking up around the bolt threads?
As an alternative installation idea. Make a donut plate and tap it for the bolts. Then cut it in two (2 bolts and 3 bolts) and slip these through the center hole. Would be easy then to add some proseal on top of the plate around the bolts to make sure they seal up nicly. A bit of loktite or even safety wire the heads would keep the bolts from turning.[/quote]
Good idea - may have to go down this track sooner rather than later.
Re: Belite Fuel Level System
Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2023 11:15 pm
by Skippydiesel
[quote=“GordonTurner”]
Hi Gordon - how;
well does the KUS sensor handle slop/agitation?
accurate have you found it to be?
Re: Belite Fuel Level System
Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2023 8:04 am
by GordonTurner
I don’t know, but it’s for boats so it probably has damping built into the electronics.
No sign of leaks, passed the soapy water test. The bolts have washers on the head end, and the nyloc nuts are snugged up pretty good. The main gasket is cork. I have more confidence in that whole system than I do in the oops fittings in the bottoms of the tank.
Re: Belite Fuel Level System
Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2023 9:39 pm
by Skippydiesel
What thinks The Forum about Capacitance Fuel Tank level Sensors - Would seem they have no moving parts and at least some can be trimmed to length/depth to suit each tank.
Examples:
https://www.reventec.com/product-catego … l-sensors/
https://kus-usa.com/product/capacitance … ensor-cls/
https://gtsgauges.com.au/products/tll13 … 7232876711
https://www.totemtek.com/totem-news/cap … ation.html
Re: Belite Fuel Level System
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2023 12:42 am
by Jerry09w
I have a capacitive gauge and I found it way more accurate then the Belite I tried. One drawback is that it can be calibrated for either auto fuel with ethanol or no ethanol fuel, any mix will be WAY off. Any gauge mounted in the rear of a Sonex tank will be very sensitive to pitch, the indication changes about a gallon for a 1/2 inch change in level. Zenith has a float sender that can be mounted on the back of a tank without access to the interior. I have thought of but not yet tried mounting an oops fitting in the center of the tank and moving my probe there. Being an old guy, I still find a watch and knowing your fuel flow is still the least expensive and most accurate way to go.
Jerry
Re: Belite Fuel Level System
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2023 6:44 pm
by Skippydiesel
[quote=“Jerry09w”]I have a capacitive gauge and I found it way more accurate then the Belite I tried. One drawback is that it can be calibrated for either auto fuel with ethanol or no ethanol fuel, any mix will be WAY off. Any gauge mounted in the rear of a Sonex tank will be very sensitive to pitch, the indication changes about a gallon for a 1/2 inch change in level. Zenith has a float sender that can be mounted on the back of a tank without access to the interior. I have thought of but not yet tried mounting an oops fitting in the center of the tank and moving my probe there. Being an old guy, I still find a watch and knowing your fuel flow is still the least expensive and most accurate way to go.
Jerry
Hi Jerry,
What capacitive sender do you have? and what system is reading it for you?
Re: Belite Fuel Level System
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2023 8:34 pm
by Jerry09w
I have the standard Sonex/Princeton system. The display is on both a GRT4000 an old 0-5 volt indicator as a backup.
Re: Belite Fuel Level System
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2023 10:32 pm
by Skippydiesel
Princeton Capacitance Fuel level Probe
Couldn’t find anything on the Sonex web site.
Google provides some information - USA off line at the moment, so may get more later.