CiES Mooney Fuel Level Senders - A Digital Fuel Sensor with Analog Outputs

Today we delivered 2 sets of CiES Mooney Fuel level senders for late mode M, R, S, & TN Mooney aircraft.

So we now have fuel level senders for the popular Mooney Bravo, Ovation, Eagle & Acclaim. 

We are now adding a new aftermarket general aviation platform every week.  

In addition CiES is adding a new OEM or commercial application every month.


Unique to CiES Fuel Level Senders:

• Set 1 - was set up for a Mooney Bravo with a voltage output for interfacing to a JPI 900 
• Set 2 - was set up for a Mooney Acclaim with a resistive output for the factory G1000 system.

CiES has the unique capability of supporting multiple platforms with the same sender design.  This sender design physically plugs into the same mounts in the aircraft.

While the float remains - CiES's method of measurement is lightyears away from the traditional potentiometer or resistive sender of the past.   CiES senders utilize a patented magnetic field technology that has more in common with the digital compass in your flight instrument or your cellphone.

Like a compass that always points north, the CiES fuel level sender always points to the float.  The sensor is precise enough to measure the angular position of that float down to tenth's of a degree and that precision is repeatable over time, temperature and vibration. 

Cessna Cardinal 177 & 177 RG Fuel Level Sensor

Well we produced another configuration of our fuel level sender for a very popular Cessna Aircraft model with a rabid and enthusiastic following.

---- Yes the Cessna Cardinal 177 ----

We had sought out common aviation fuel level sensors to copy into our format and we had a few mixed results, for example owners of Cessna 177's would send in the sensors per our request,  but the part numbers of the units supplied only matched up to another model Cessna Aircraft and did not match any of the Cessna Fuel Level drawings we have on hand.  

Finally, last year we got what we were looking for - Senders from an aircraft that matched the P/N for the aircraft. 

Note:  When you get involved in this small segment of aviation - It becomes very clear why fuel level in aviation has a very low reputation.

A Cardinal Aircraft owner tells a better story: 

Anyway, I saw the mention of CiES on one of the Cardinal Flyers Digests and gave them a call.  I spoke with Scott Philiben, who said that they could build them for me, and it would interface correctly with the JPI.  JPI confirmed this.  This was last FEB 2014 when I initially purchased the JPI, based on that answer.  

I had to wait till July 1 to start install, both due to the cold weather here, and because that was my annual date  (I also wanted to install an Oilamatic Pre-oiler and an Alpha Systems AOA Gauge).  

What Scott didn't tell me initially, was that I was to be the guinea pig for them getting a TSO sender for Cardinals as this minor variation needed to be sent to the FAA and approved - they had predicted an October delivery.

Scott & company finally came thru with fully TSO'd senders in late Nov, but I then encountered the passing of my Mom, which has led to further down time - anyway, FINALLY got the senders installed last Saturday.

CiES Above - Competitor Below

I was quite impressed on the substantial difference internally between CiES senders and the Electronics International ones.  The electronics in CiES look great, and based on the digital freq meter I have, they work VERY smoothly. I am also impressed with the machining on the fuel senders.

For JPI's part, their wire harness to the wing has three wires - +5V, Ground, and Signal. The JPI diagram says NOT to connect the +5V for CiES, but what they didnt say, and I didnt know until early Nov (when I mentioned that to Scott at CiES) is that the CiES units need +12V!! Turned out not to be an issue - the JPI harness has a "Y" connection in the harness shortly after the harness leaves the JPI box enroute to the wings - I unpinned the +5 wire that comes from the JPI and capped it off, and instead ran a +12 supply from one of the Circuit Breakers (dont remember which at the moment) into the same pin spot. (There is NO interface box as there is with some other senders. Not sure if my JPI is any different internally - JPI could answer though.) Works great (again, on my digital freq meter out at the sender)

One thing I particularly like about the CiES is that the float arm wire is 3x as thick as the one from Cessna, BUT the CiES float arm easily disconnects from the sender, making installation MUCH MUCH MUCH easier. I placed a long tie wrap on the fuel sender arm (in case I dropped the float/arm combination into the tank while working the sender into position) and then after the sender was connected and small cotter pin inserted, the tie wrap was removed. The senders come with a new rubber gasket, and there is no chance of leakage in the middle (like Cessna supplied Rochester, Stewart Warner, or Leigh senders) as there is no pass-thru screw terminal.  CiES uses a 3-pin connector with a twist lock shield. VERY easy to plug in.

At first, Scott and his engineers were concerned about MIN/MAX settings, but they had an epiphany one night and realized that all measurements are relative. They were worried about setting hard "stops" these are the little metal tabs on Cessna original equipment fuel senders that limit the float arm travel.   Turns out the CIES senders have the capability to move thru-out an almost 180 degree range from straight down to straight up.  The original equipment Cessna fuel sender contained a 60 degree potentiometer which limited the angle range allowed by these senders.   The calibration in the JPI is what establishes the fuel level limits and the physical limits of the fuel tank are the physical limits of the sender.

Scott Philiben's phone number is 541-408-1095 - they are in Oregon, so there is a 3hr time difference for me. His email is scott.philiben@ciescorp.com I still have the prototype sender/float combination that we used for testing and verification that this new simpler configuration would not hit any internal ribs/structure. Can't see internally, but externally it looks exactly like the ones with the TSO labels on them!

Update - Installed and calibrated - first impressions are good 

Tecnam Fuel Level Sensor

A few blog post ago we talked about our  UNIVERSAL AIRCRAFT FUEL SENDER and the opportunities that this would open up for us in the aviation market.

Today we will be delivering units for several applications and customers.

Tecnam after first trying to utilize Capacitive Fuel Level Sensors for their aircraft and not being satisfied with their performance decided to try CiES. 

Our success on the Cirrus platforms - Both SR2X Series and the Jet warranted a close look at our technology and capability.

This is the first pair of Tecnam Fuel level sensors.

Magneto Resistive is an excellent technology to apply to fuel level solutions.

It is robust, non-contact, reliable and very accurate.


Let us know about your critical fuel level challenge -
  

A Universal Aircraft Fuel Sender

A UNIVERSAL FUEL SENDER

When we started manufacturing fuel level senders,  we had a specific customer in mind.   

In order to maximize our customers benefit for this technology, we made this sender nearly exclusive for that customers application. 

We received quite few inquiries for this fuel sender and most of them related to will it interface to our existing system.  

Sadly because we had tailored the sender to a particular aircraft and avionics interface,  we had to turn good business away.  

So step forward 3 years nearly to the day,  we had an opportunity to reinvent the fuel sender product and add new features:

First:   We have utilized a unique circuitry design to create a universal output:
                         - We can supply:  Resistance
                                                      Voltage
                                                      Frequency 

Second:  We can supply a  Fuel Temperature Output.  This feature is helpful for Jet A applications  where Pounds Fuel is the unit of measure.

Third:  We have supplied a pigtail to allow installation in tight spaces and flexibility in the Fuel Sender connection. 

We are trying to remove any barrier for you to have a more reliable technology for fuel level in your aircraft.

Contact Us for more information.

CiES Fuel Sender - In the News - March 2014 Aviation Consumer

In the March 2014 Issue of Aviation Consumer the CiES Cirrus Fuel System Retrofit is reviewed.

As we have talked about in previous blog posts - Cirrus G1 / G2 retrofits are a challenge.  The results and review were favorable and represent what can be obtained on the early series aircraft.   Later model Cirrus G3's can achieve nearly perfect results.

Please look to 

aviationconsumer.com

for more information and other informative articles

Anisotropic Magneto Resistive - The future of fuel and fluid level detection

A major milestone occurred in 2011 -  the first commercially successful application of Anisotropic Magneto Resistive (AMR) technology applied to fuel level sending.    

We made our technological introduction a critical test for the sending unit as we choose to apply this sender to the most popular GA aircraft built.  It was a gutsy move to use aviation as our launch vehicle, but by all measure and after two years of flawless performance, we can say that this methodology for measuring fuel level has been overwhelming success.

The CiES Fuel Level Sensor is a magnetic, non-contacting angular position sensor that converts rotary motion of the float arm into an electrical signal.
This signal provides an accurate fuel level measurement and enables reliable Multi-Function Display or Fuel Gauge readout.  

Our compact, modular design utilizing the familiar SAE 5 bolt mounting allows a wide range of applications and our calibrated output signal compensates for component and assembly variations.  Our unique design using our patented AMR technology enables dependable performance and durability.


The CiES Fuel Level Sensor's linear output - either Frequency, Voltage or PWM Current Mode  is directly proportional  to the position of the float in the tank.  The we derive this location by the measurement of the magnetic field direction.  This method  allows for wide mechanical tolerances and sensor placement.  Just like a compass in your hand - no matter where or how you move the compass, it will continue to point North - our sensor continues to point at the float.

Noncontact performance is made possible by state-of-the-art  programmable Anisotropic Magneto Resistive (AMR) technologies. Rotating magnets generate a voltage with a paired sine wave response signal.   The sensor operates in a combined linear region of this  sine wave response signal.

Benefits 

• Low cost with electrical interface that powers and reads AMR effect output signal
• Modular and common interface help achieve competitive cost
• Can be easily modified to meet specific customer requirements
• Protection against contamination and fuel exposure
• Lower drive current minimizes system power consumption
• High resolution output signal with low hysteresis for improved system performance

Typical Applications 

The CiES Fuel Level Sensor is ideally suited for a wide range of aviation, automotive, heavy equipment, commercial vehicle, rail in-tank applications for Gasoline, Avgas, Jet A, Propane, Alcohol & Flex Fuel blends.  The non contact measurement method is immune from attack from any sulfur based, water based or solid contaminates.  This method of fuel measurement allows for a single fuel sender  to be applied to a wide variety of fuel types, including different fuels utilized in the same tank, providing the identical output response.

Performance Advantages

The CiES Fuel Level Sensor features a proven technology that has been used in high volume absolute position sensor applications, like brake by wire, throttle and accelerator positioning, for more than 10 years.

The non-contacting design of the sensor maximizes product life by eliminating fuel level signal deterioration due to contact wear, resistive ink failure or dendritic growth.  Our low current draw with high resolution output signal may be calibrated for the angular travel of a specific application and allows us to  compensate for any assembly or tank variations.