fuel tank probe

[waiking59]

I bought a Princeton fuel level probe from Sonex a few years ago and installed it in my Waiex. I'm finishing up 59YK and went to calibrate the probe to my SkyView...no joy. I contacted Princeton and got the information on how to recalibrate the probe module and discovered my module wasn't compatible with the SkyView. Todd at Princeton told me to return it to them and they would do it for me. It came back today via UPS with the module converted to a capacitance type rather than the resistance type Sonex sold me. It's been calibrated, ready to connect and a few extra ground terminal screws I requested were also in the shipping tube. There was NO charge for the work, parts or return shipping.......I'm impressed to say the least with the service from Princeton. Tomorrow it goes back in and then I can start the SkyView calibration.

getting closer

[lgsievila]

Had the same problem with my Dynon and never got it fixed. I always stick the tank anyway and my red cube correlates with gallons used. I never trusted the gages on any of the 3 certificated planes I owned. Did you have to send the whole probe in or just the black box?

[waiking59]

you have to return the whole thing as the shielded wire from the module to the probe can't be cut and spliced. I'm figuring that I will have redundancy along with my red cube.

I don't think sticking is an option with the design of the Sonex tank with the filler neck extension. I see you have a Onex

[Corby202]

I don't think sticking is an option

That's exactly what I do. The dip stick is a piece of clear plastic tube, held straight with a piece of silver solder inserted into it. I calibrated the dipstick with the tail down.

[sonex1374]

Even with the extended filler neck, a straight piece of wood can be used as a dip stick. I use 3/4" (approx.) flat trim molding from Home Depot. It is sanded smooth and is nearly always straight and tight-grained, so no wood slivers or chips to fall off into the tank. The surface can be written on with a pencil or permanent sharpie to calibrate the fuel level in 1 gallon increments, and if you leave it bare wood it easily shows what part of the stick was exposed to fuel by soaking into the wood slightly. Since you calibrate it to your airplane, accuracy is easily to the nearest 1/4 gallon.

Jeff

[waiking59]

Good to know, thanks.

I have a piece of 3/8" hardwood dowel that I'll see if I can use. If not I can rip a piece of maple on my table saw and calibrate at the same time I'm doing the SkyView calibration.

[nwyooper]

We use a 3/8 inch wooden dowel also. First mark is 2 gallons and each add dditional gallon is marked with a notch. Stick before and after each flight and you know what your fuel use is. Only worry is that you don't know if you are losing fuel in flight from gascolator or other drain leaking. But after 2 to 2 1/2 hours of flying it is time to get out and stretch anyway.

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all,
We have a princeton fuel probe and knew from the get go we were going to use the dynon stuff, so did some research first, and yes you need a capacitance probe for the dynon. Need to tell sonex this when you order, otherwise a resistance probe will be sent. Ours has worked trouble free. Dont use with ethanol, one tank will ruin the aluminum probe. Ive heard good things of the princeton folks . Cant say enough good things about dynon. First class.
Before you order your princeton probe , know which type system you'll be using, and order correctly thru sonex.
WaiexN143NM
Michael

[fjdoug]

i have marks on tape stuck on the tank.
with the filler hatch open to let sunlight on the tank, I can look under the panel and see my fuel.

Doug.

VH-SNX
http://dougs-sonex.com/

[Bryan Cotton]

I'm going to use Jeff's method.
https://youtu.be/pnXE_hSvlJI

Also documented at:
http://www.sonex604.com