FIFOTRACK ULTRASONIC FUEL

SENSOR USER GUIDE

V1.3

Model: TUB01
Version: V1.3
www.fifotrack.com
fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide

Copyright and Disclaimer

 All copyrights belong to Shenzhen fifotrack Solution Co., Ltd. You are not allowed
to revise, copy or spread this file in any form without consent of fifotrack.
 is trademark of fifotrack, protected by law.
 Please read this user guide carefully before installation to avoid any possible
personal injury or property loss.

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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide

Document History
Version Revision Date Author Detail
V1.1 Oct 15, 2016 Vito Hu Initial Version
V1.2 June 16, 2020 Vito Hu Installation way updated
V1.3 Oct 12, 2020 Vito Hu Add descriptions of fuel
theft threshold value
smaller than 3cm

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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide

Contents

Document History .................................................................................................................... 2

Contents ................................................................................................................................... 3

1 Product Overview ....................................................................................................................... 4

2 Applied Model.............................................................................................................................. 4

3 Basic Description & Specification ........................................................................................... 4

4 Package Parts.............................................................................................................................. 5

5 Installation ................................................................................................................................... 5

5.1 Tool Preparation Before Installation ............................................................................................... 5

5.2 Vehicle Preparation Before Installation .......................................................................................... 6

5.3 Choose Installation Position ........................................................................................................... 6

5.4 Check Installation Position by Digital Indicator .............................................................................. 7

5.3 Code Instruction of Digital Indicator............................................................................................... 9

5.4 Install the Sensor ............................................................................................................................ 9

5.5 Wiring on Vehicle ......................................................................................................................... 12

5.6 Connect to GPS Tracker (A300 example) ...................................................................................... 12

5.7 Check Connection Between Sensor and Tracker .......................................................................... 13

6 Operation ................................................................................................................................... 14

6.1 Setting on FIMS ............................................................................................................................ 14

6.2 Fuel Reports.................................................................................................................................. 17

7 Threshold Value of Fuel Change ............................................................................................ 17

8 FAQ.............................................................................................................................................. 18

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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide

1 Product Overview
The ultrasonic fuel sensor is a relatively new technology for fuel monitoring. According to the sound
burst return time from bottom-surface-bottom reflections, the sensor can convert ultrasonic wave
signals into height data of fuel level. Compare with the traditional capacitive fuel sensor, the ultrasonic
fuel sensor doesn’t need to drill a hole on fuel tank during installation. Besides, it can provide same
98-99% accuracy as the capacitive fuel sensor.

 Safe and easy installation, no need drill a hole

 98-99% High accuracy
 Stable performance, designed for vehicle environment under temperature -30℃ ~75℃
 IP67 protection
 Guided by both paper and video manuals.

2 Applied Model

Ultrasonic fuel sensor (hereinafter to be referred as “sensor”) is connected to tracker via RS232 port, it

is applied for

 A300/A500/A600/A700/S60

3 Basic Description & Specification

Items Description
Sensor probe dimension Diameter ø33mm, height 12.7mm
Working voltage 9 ~ 36VDC
Fuel level measurement range Default 0-100cm (0-3cm is blind zone)
0-400 cm (0-6cm is blind zone), optional, price different
Accuracy 98-99%
Measurement resolution 0.1mm
Protection rank IP67
Applicable liquid Gasoline, diesel, water, etc
Maximum power consumption 0.36W/12VDC
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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide
Working temperature -30℃ ~75℃
Storage temperature -40°C ~85°C
Working humidity 5%~ 90%
Signal output type RS232
Cable length 8m

4 Package Parts

Standard Package

Probe 8m extension cable Fuse Couplant Grease

Steel clamp Probe holder Ring gasket Rubber pad

Optional Parts
Digital indicator

5 Installation

5.1 Tools Preparation Before Installation

Before installation, the below parts are needed:

Package of sensor Insulating tape Rag

Slotted screwdriver Power bank (9-36V) Abrasive paper

Multimeter

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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide

5.2 Vehicle Preparation Before Installation

1 Fuel level in the tank over 50% The fuel level in the tank should be over 50%. It is
important for next step of checking correct

installation position.

2 Vehicle parking requirement Make sure the vehicle is parking on horizontal

ground. Otherwise, the digital indicator can’t

display correct code and fuel level value.

3 Prepare time for installation Need to prepare at least 2 hours for first time

installation

5.3 Choose Installation Position

Installation position should keep distance from fuel input tube, output tube, fuel-return tube, fuel

float ball, baffle, etc. It's better to install on a flat area in the center of the fuel tank's bottom. For the

tank below, It is proper to install the probe on the yellow area.

If it is a cylindrical tank, you should choose the area that is closest to the ground.

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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide

5.4 Check Installation Position by Digital Indicator

Step 1: Clear the installation position area with abrasive paper

Step 2: Connect the probe to the display, then power on the display by power bank or vehicle's

battery (9-36V), as shown below:

Step 3: Put the couplant on the surface of the senor (the side without the label).

Step 4: Stick the sensor on the center of the installation area and hold it, check the results from digital
indicator according to the following 5.3 code instruction of digital indicator.

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Step 5: If the code result is ok, mark a round installation spot on the fuel tank.

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5.3 Code Instruction of Digital Indicator

Display Code Description

Probe is initializing. It shows number 8 only for a few seconds.

The fuel level height is 18.9cm, it is real time fuel level height

The left digit “3” is echo numbers code

Iron tank The echo code should be great than or equal to “1”, “2” is
better.
Aluminum or Fuel level height <60cm The echo code should be great than
stainless-steel or equal to “2”
tank Fuel level height >60cm The echo code should be great than
or equal to “1”, “2” is better.

The right digit “2” is installation status code.

Iron tank The installation status code should be “1” or “2”, “2” is better

Aluminum or Fuel level height <60cm The installation status code should
stainless-steel be only “2”
tank Fuel level height >60cm The installation status code should
be “1” or “2”, “2” is better.
F4 is the inclination angle code. This code must be less than or equal to “4”
degree.
If this code is great than “4”, means this vehicle or fuel sensor probe is not
horizontal, please adjust vehicle parking position or fuel sensor probe position
until you got code less than or equal to “4”.

Double 9 indicates the digital indicator is not connected with the sensor

FFFF Please turn off the power and restart the fuel sensor

5.4 Install the Sensor

Step 1: Clean up the testing couplant on the fuel tank and probe surface.
Step 2: Install the protective holder

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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide

Please make sure the center of the holder matches the marked round installation position, also the

holder should be parallel to the vehicle frame (chassis).

Step 3: Install the fuel sensor probe

1) Put the ring gasket on the surface of the sensor, then fill the measuring area with grease, make it a

bit higher than the ring gasket. There must be no air bubbles or dust or sand inside the grease.

2) Insert the sensor into the holder and install the cover plate

3) Connect to the digital indicator and check if the results are ok, refer to 5.3 Code Instruction of

Digital Indicator

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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide

Step 4: Fasten the holder with stainless-steel clamp

1) Stick the rubber pad on the four corners of tank

2) Fasten the steel clamp

3) Fasten the joint of the clamp with a cable tie

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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide

4) Check the installation status on digital indicator

5.5 Wiring on Vehicle

Follow the frame of vehicle to arrange extension cable in the cab. Wiring should be at least 20cm far

away from the motor and high temperature parts of the vehicle to avoid electromagnetic interference.

Usually wiring should not affect vehicle’s dumper or maintenance.

NOTE:
 Wrap over the naked joints with electrical tape

 Tie the extension cable every 50cm with cable tie

5.6 Connect to GPS Tracker (A300 model as example)

Connect the extension cable to probe with aviation connector; Plug the other connector of extension

cable into “RS232|MIC|SPK” socket of A300.

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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide

Ultrasonic fuel sensor Wire Connection GPS tracker (A300)

Power wire (Red) VCC wire (Red)

Ground wire (Black) Ground wire (Black)

8 Pin connector RS232 port (8 Pin)

Connect extension cable and tracker to vehicle’s battery, and then, both fuel sensor and tracker start

to work.

Note:
 Connect sensor’s extension cable and tracker’s cable together, and then connect to vehicle’s

battery. Wrap over the naked joints with electrical tape. At last, connect extension cable to fuel
sensor, and power on sensor. It can avoid damage to fuel sensor.

 During installation, reading digital indicator is necessary, which is useful to determine whether

operation is correct or not.

5.7 Check Connection Between Sensor and Tracker

After sensor and tracker power on, sensor initializes and starts detecting fuel level after 1 minute,.

User can use below SMS command to check the connection, and check whether sensor works

normally:
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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide

SMS command: 000000,C05

Reply: C05,<rt_level>,<install-status>
While,

rt_level: real-time fuel level of sensor, unit mm

install-status: The detected installation status, which can be

“OK”

“Probe Disconnect”

“Low Power”

“Unexpected Restart”

6 Operation

6.1 Setting on FIMS

User needs to set “Fuel level” sensor on FIMS, and then, all function about fuel will be working. Follow

below steps:

Login FIMS, select target tracker->Edit->Sensors->Add,

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At “Sensor Properties” dialog, set parameters as below:

Sensor
 Name: Input self-define string

 Type: Select “Fuel level”

 Parameters: Select “ai2”

 Show in popup: selected

Result
 Type: Select “Value”

 Units of measurement: self-define

 Formula: (X*max_c)/max_h, while

max_c: maximum capacity of tank, using the unit specified in “Units of measurement”

max_h: maximum height of tank, unit mm

For example, when tank has capacity of 155Liters, and maximum height 40cm, the formula is

(X*155)/400

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Click “Save”, fuel level will be display at “Object page”, as below:

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6.2 Fuel Reports

FIMS supports three types of fuel reports:

 Fuel fillings

 Fuel thefts

 Fuel level graph

The below figures are exported reports:

Fuel level graph

Fuel fillings

7 Threshold Value of Fuel Change

If fuel changes, the result will not respond in real time. The sensor has working mechanism based on
threshold values to filter fuel level fluctuations under different application environment such as uphill,
downhill or external power lost, etc.

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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide
Items Threshold value
Fuel filling Fuel filling should be greater than 3cm fuel level change, otherwise the
sensor will ignore it.
Sensor will not update fuel level change during filling process.
Until filling process finished, and wait for 1 minute more, sensor starts to
update real time fuel data.

Fuel theft Fuel theft is equal to Sensor will not update theft fuel level change
or great than 3cm during fuel theft process.
fuel level change. Until the fuel theft process finished, and wait for 8
minutes more, sensor starts to update real time fuel
data
Fuel theft is smaller The fuel level will decrease 1mm at every second
than 3cm fuel level
change.
Sensor lost external Sensor will keep the current fuel data until the external power is
power reconnected and the sensor starts to update real time fuel data after 1
minute.

8 FAQ
1. The ultrasonic fuel sensor solution is reliable or not?
Yes, It is reliable solution. At the early stage, the main installation way is by A/B glue for the probe
fixation. This installation process is related to technician’s skills and experiences. On the other hand,
the A/B glue may be affected by environment factors such as temperature, humidity as time goes by.

The new installation way uses sensor probe holder to replace the A/B glue for fixation, this is big
improvement. Compare to the old way, the installation process is much easier, the sensor stability
is very satisfied during the lifetime.

2. What’s the ultrasonic fuel sensor accuracy?

It is 98-99% under correct installation

3. What’s the ultrasonic fuel sensor measurement range?

Default is 0-100cm. Optional range is 0-400cm, the price is different.

4. Your ultrasonic fuel sensor can work with other GPS tracker brand?
No. Only work with fifotrack GPS tracker
We have developed debugging way in firmware to make sure this sensor is installed properly.
Working with third-party GPS tracker may hurt our brand because of the out of control performance.

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5. The ultrasonic fuel sensor is suitable for small car fuel monitoring?
Not suggest
The fuel tank of small car is part of car body with irregular shape. There are three challenges below:
1. Not easy to find a suitable position on fuel tank to install the sensor
2. Need do calibrations to get good results
3. Fuel tank height is too short, return time of sound burst refection is too fast, the accuracy is not
guaranteed.

6. Why the ultrasonic fuel sensor has blind zone in the bottom of fuel tank?
When the fuel level is shorter than 3cm (0-400cm type sensor fuel level is shorter than 6cm), the
sensor can’t identify the signals of return sound burst reflections accurately, so the bottom of fuel tank
is blind zone. On the other hand, in practical applications, fuel level is almost always higher than 3cm
in the fuel tank.
Sensor type Common blind zone Special blind zone
0-100cm type sensor 0-3cm Iron tank: 0-5cm
Engineering machinery vehicle
tank: 0-5cm
0-400cm type sensor 0-6cm \

7. How can you make sure the ultrasonic fuel sensor work well in local?
We have developed debugging way to identify each key stage’s state.
1. During installation, we provide digital indicator to help identify proper installation operation
2. We have command 000000,C05 to check the connection between the GPS tracker and sensor.
3. We have command 000000,B95,1,1 to check raw data of sensor, which help us judge the state of
sensor.
4. Since May of 2016, we have over 4 years rich support experience in this field.

8. fifotrack provides AS10 capacitive Fuel sensor, ultrasonic fuel sensor, original fuel sensor, liquid
sensor, what’s the difference, how I choose?
AS10 fuel sensor is the priority among above options. It is an economic, mature, adaptable and safe
solution. However, the AS10 fuel sensor can’t cover all applications. If the customers have below
problems:

- Customers refuse to drill a hole on the fuel tank, at the same time need high accuracy fuel
monitoring, ultrasonic fuel sensor is recommended. However, the ultrasonic need higher installation
skills and the price is around usd30 higher than the AS10 fuel sensor.

- Customers want to monitor the small car fuel. Both the AS10 fuel sensor and ultrasonic fuel sensor
are not suitable for most small cars, so the original fuel sensor solution (using vehicle existing built-in
fuel sensor) becomes a solution accepted by part of customers. However, this solution accuracy is

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fifotrack Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor User Guide
around 90%, but cost is 0, only need buy GPS tracker itself.

- Customers have stationary big container like 5 meters height need to monitor level. The liquid sensor
is the most suitable solution both on cost and installation convenience considerations. However the
liquid sensor is not suitable for moving objects.

9. Do you provide video installation guide?

Yes, the video link is: https://youtu.be/d5lBwaEp-kw

Please e-mail us at [email protected] if any question or feedback.

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