item#: radiant fuel gauge - belite aircraft superlite gauge is also available in a version which is...

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BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746 RADIANT Fuel gauge Item#: RFGA Specifications, Installation and Operation Instructions for the Belite RADIANT Fuel Gauge LAST UPDATED: May 2017 DISCLAIMER: Products from Belite Electronics are not designed to be used in applications where their failure would endanger safe flight or human life in any way. They are intended solely for use in VFR conditions. They are not certified to meet any Technical Standard Order, and are not produced under a Parts Manufacturing Authority (TSO / PMA). As a result, they are suitable only for use in experimental and ultralight aircraft, and in Light Sport Aircraft, if meeting the requirements of the respective manufacture. WARRANTY: Your new Belite Avionics instrument carries a one year warranty. Please contact us at [email protected] should your product need warranty service. International warranty service will be charged $50.00US for repairs, which includes return shipping after repair. Payment must be received before service begins. RETURN/REFUND INFORMATION: Must be returned in new, resalable condition within 14 days CONTACT INFORMATION: E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746 Belite Enterprises LLC 8610 E. 34th St. N, #1 Wichita, KS 67226 FUEL CONTROL SYSTEMS A New Generation of Digital Avionics T: 316-253-6746 www.beliteaircraft.com The Belite RADIANT Fuel Gauge is designed to provide fuel level and historical usage informa- tion to the pilot in a single, small lightweight enclosure. The unit is not TSO’d or PMA’d. Use only in appropriate aircraft as a backup to certified instruments in VFR conditions. As opposed to traditional needle ‘steam gauges’, which often work poorly and provide only a single dimension into the fuel use situation, this new RADIANT gauge provides current fuel levels and fuel use trends using an unusually brilliant, full color LCD screen. These fuel gauges also provide predictive time to empty. This calculation is based on the last six minutes of fuel usage, and displays a value whenever the calculated time is less than 99 minutes, and fuel is still in the tank. The value is provided independently for each tank. And if you’d like your tanks designated as something other than LEFT or RIGHT, you can configure that as well. Main, Left, Right, Header, Aux.. are all available labeling options. If you are running with just one tank, you may turn off the second half of the display. Another big plus is the ability to use any kind of automotive fuel sender. You can tell the unit if the ohms runs big to small, or small to big. (Automotive senders are often reversed from the aircraft standard.) Product References Item#: RFGA-022C: CAPACITIVE or FIVE VOLT SCALE INPUT with SINGLE or DUAL TANKS Item#: RFGA-022R: RESISTIVE OR FLOAT INPUT with SINGLE or DUAL TANKS Item#: RFGA-022L: LIQUID LEVEL FUEL PROBE INPUT with SINGLE or DUAL TANKS This document also refers to other Belite products: Item#: FPS-010: LIQUID LEVEL FUEL PROBE WITH COMPUTER AND FIVE POINT CALIBRATION AND 1/4NPT THREAD Item#: FPS-018: LIQUID LEVEL FUEL PROBE WITH COMPUTER AND FIVE POINT CALIBRATION AND 1/8NPT THREAD Item#: FPS-110: LIQUID LEVEL FUEL PROBE WITHOUT COMPUTER WITH 1/4 NPT THREAD Item#: FPS-118: LIQUID LEVEL FUEL PROBE WITHOUT COMPUTER WITH 1/8 NPT THREAD

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Page 1: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

RADIANT Fuel gauge

Item#: RFGA

Specifications, Installation and Operation Instructions for the Belite RADIANT Fuel GaugeLAST UPDATED: May 2017

DISCLAIMER: Products from Belite Electronics are not designed to be used in applications where their failure would endanger safe flight or human life in any way. They are intended solely for use in VFR conditions. They are not certified to meet any Technical Standard Order, and are not produced under a Parts Manufacturing Authority (TSO / PMA). As a result, they are suitable only for use in experimental and ultralight aircraft, and in Light Sport Aircraft, if meeting the requirements of the respective manufacture.

WARRANTY: Your new Belite Avionics instrument carries a one year warranty. Please contact us at [email protected] should your product need warranty service. International warranty service will be charged $50.00US for repairs, which includes return shipping after repair. Payment must be received before service begins.

RETURN/REFUND INFORMATION: Must be returned in new, resalable condition within 14 days

CONTACT INFORMATION:

E: [email protected]: 316-253-6746

Belite Enterprises LLC8610 E. 34th St. N, #1 Wichita, KS 67226

FUEL CO

NTRO

L SYSTEMS

A New Generation of Digital Avionics

T: 316-253-6746www.beliteaircraft.com

The Belite RADIANT Fuel Gauge is designed to provide fuel level and historical usage informa-tion to the pilot in a single, small lightweight enclosure. The unit is not TSO’d or PMA’d. Use only in appropriate aircraft as a backup to certified instruments in VFR conditions.

As opposed to traditional needle ‘steam gauges’, which often work poorly and provide only a single dimension into the fuel use situation, this new RADIANT gauge provides current fuel levels and fuel use trends using an unusually brilliant, full color LCD screen.

These fuel gauges also provide predictive time to empty. This calculation is based on the last six minutes of fuel usage, and displays a value whenever the calculated time is less than 99 minutes, and fuel is still in the tank. The value is provided independently for each tank.

And if you’d like your tanks designated as something other than LEFT or RIGHT, you can configure that as well. Main, Left, Right, Header, Aux.. are all available labeling options.

If you are running with just one tank, you may turn off the second half of the display.

Another big plus is the ability to use any kind of automotive fuel sender. You can tell the unit

if the ohms runs big to small, or small to big. (Automotive senders are often reversed from the aircraft standard.)

Product ReferencesItem#: RFGA-022C:

CAPACITIVE or FIVE VOLT SCALE INPUT with SINGLE or DUAL TANKS

Item#: RFGA-022R: RESISTIVE OR FLOAT INPUT with SINGLE or DUAL TANKS

Item#: RFGA-022L: LIQUID LEVEL FUEL PROBE INPUT with SINGLE or DUAL TANKS

This document also refers to other Belite products:

Item#: FPS-010: LIQUID LEVEL FUEL PROBE WITH COMPUTER AND FIVE POINT CALIBRATION AND 1/4NPT THREAD

Item#: FPS-018: LIQUID LEVEL FUEL PROBE WITH COMPUTER AND FIVE POINT CALIBRATION AND 1/8NPT THREAD

Item#: FPS-110: LIQUID LEVEL FUEL PROBE WITHOUT COMPUTER WITH 1/4 NPT THREAD

Item#: FPS-118: LIQUID LEVEL FUEL PROBE WITHOUT COMPUTER WITH 1/8 NPT THREAD

Page 2: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

FUEL CO

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Radiant fuel Gauge page 2

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

FEATURES Calculates time to empty for each tank User selects appropriate tank labeling Works with automotive fuel senders or aircraft fuel senders Brilliant daylight readable LCD display Provides current fuel level in bar height form and percentage form Shows 15 minute history of fuel level, so the pilot can see the trend instantly Supports one or two tanks Display is “sunglass friendly” -- bright; readable with polarized glasses Works with capacitive probes Works with resistive probes Works with pressure (mass or weight) sensor probes Settable for high and low fuel level on either tank, to exactly match sensors & probes Also provides continuous system voltage display Works between -20C and +60C Weighs 1.6 ounces (50 grams)

SPECIFICATIONS Requires 10 to 32 volts @ 135ma @ full screen brightness. When screen is dim, power consumption of unit is approximately 35ma.

Screen is non-polarized color LCD display TFT Active Matrix with resolution of 240 x 320 pixels across a 2.4” display. Some corner and side areas of the display are not visible due to enclosure requirements.

Unit operating temperature between -20 and +60C, including LCD screen. Accuracy of the unit is 1% or better. This means that an input of 0 volts will provide an indication of 0%, assuming correct calibration and programming. This also means that an input of 4.0 volts (80% for a standard capacitive probe of 5V range) will provide an indication of 3.96 to 4.04 volts, or 79 to 81% displayed.

Dimensions for screen cutout are shown below, see Figure 1. Unit dimensions are 2.35” square with a thickness of 0.75”, not including connector height. Screen display mode is transmissive, normally deep black. This means that in the absence of backlighting, you will not be able to read the screen.

Screen contrast ratio is minimum of 640. Screen luminance is minimum of 450 cd/M2 at full brightness. Screen viewing angle is up to 80 degrees. Two tactile switch inputs are provided for programming and mode changes. Accepts input from any sender with an approximate range of 0 to 5 volts. (Model RFGA-022C). This includes almost all capacitive probes, even those with ranges of 0 to 4 volts, or 0.5 to 4.5 volts.

Accepts input from any float sender, with either direction of ohms (Model RFGA-022C.) Typical input ranges which are acceptable include 0 to 90 ohms, 240 to 33 ohms, or just about anything with a total max ohms of 500 or less. We have another model if your resistive sender is greater than 500 ohms; ask us.

Fuel level information is provided for two tanks. Single tank mode may also be selected.

Page 3: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

FUEL CO

NTRO

L SYSTEMS

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

radiant fuel GAUGE page 3

SPECIFICATIONS CONT.

Fuel level information is simultaneously displayed as bar graph and numerical display, 0 to 100%.

Fuel level information is provided historically for the last 15 minutes of usage.

Current fuel level information is dampened using a hardware circuit and software algorithm with a maximum period of 2 ½ minutes. This means that fuel sloshing indications on the gauge are diminished or eliminated. This also means that if you have a fuel rupture, it may take up to the indicated time for the fuel gauge to correctly reflect the real fuel level.

Voltage level information is provided for ship power. Guaranteed unit operating range is 10 to 32 volts.

Accepts direct input from Belite fuel level liquid sensors. (Model RFGA-022L)

Two connectors are provided for attaching power, probes, and dimming input.

FIVE PIN CONNECTOR:• GROUND, LEFT INPUT, RIGHT INPUT, POWER INPUT, BACKLIGHT DIMMER• WIRE COLORS: BLACK, ORANGE, ORANGE, RED, YELLOW

SEVEN PIN CONNECTOR:• GROUND, LEFT INPUT, RIGHT INPUT, +5V REGULATED POWER OUTPUT, DNC x 3 (DO NOT

CONNECT x 3)• WIRE COLORS: BLACK, none, none, RED, none, none, none• WARNING: DO NOT ATTACH ANY EXTERNAL POWER INPUT TO THE +5V OUTPUT on the seven

pin connector. DOING SO WILL DAMAGE OR DESTROY YOUR UNIT.

APPLICATIONS May be used to display fuel level and trend in any experimental, ultralight, or LSA aircraft (with manufacturer approval).

NON-TSO’d; non-PMA’d.

Figure 1: 2.25” Main Cutout. Four 0.170” mounting holes are on 2.625” diameter circle. Inner circle is 2.25”.

INSTALLATION Fits any standard 2.25” mounting hole. Use only the screws provided. DO NOT DRILL OUT HOLES FOR LARGER SCREWS. Doing so will void warranty!

Requires a voltage source between 10 and 32 volts. Power draw is 135 milliamps (backlight full on). Use with an external avionics power switch. Use with an external dimmer potentiometer (supplied).

Page 4: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

FUEL CO

NTRO

L SYSTEMS

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

Radiant Fuel Gauge page 4

INSTALLATION DETAILSThe rear main external electrical connector has five wires: ground, left tank input, right tank input, power, and backlight input. (The colors are black, orange, orange, red and yellow, respec-tively.) Prior to installation in aircraft, the power connector should be snipped off and discarded. The ground must be connected to avionics (system) ground. The power must be connected to a voltage source between 10 and 32 volts. The backlight input must be connected to a variable voltage source, providing between 0 and 5 volts. The level on this input is digitally sampled by a microprocessor inside the gauge, so there is no significant current draw from this variable input. An external potentiometer is supplied and may be installed anywhere in your panel.

NOTE: DO NOT DRILL OUT THE CORNER HOLES. THIS WILL DAMAGE THE LCD MODULE AND VOID YOUR WARRANTY!

SWITCHES AND INDICATORS The main color LCD screen provides continuous graphic information to the pilot.

Two tactile switches allow switching between the main screen and the programming screen, also allowing setting “Low” and “Hi” settings for each tank.

Three pseudo LED outputs provide status of: System Voltage, Programming Integrity, and Temperature.

FUNCTIONALITY This gauge provides real time fuel level feedback for one or two fuel tanks using a bar graph and a numeric percentage indicator.

The gauge also provides a 15 minute history of fuel levels for one or two tanks via a series of easy to understand bar graphs.

Current voltage is displayed numerically. If meaningful, current time to empty is displayed independently for both tanks. User may select labeling or either tank. User may turn off right tank display (for single tank applications.) The gauge is compatible with capacitive probes, or any probe providing an approximate input between 0 and 5 volts. This also includes probes with ranges of 0.5 to 4.5 volts, also 0 to 4 volts. Any similar probe providing any DC voltage range similar to these will work without issue.

Also available is a version of the gauge which is compatible with common resistive senders, which are typically installed in fuel tanks with floats. Compatible resistance ranges are 0 (minimum) to 500 ohms (maximum). An example of a compatible resistance range is 33 to 240 ohms. Another example of a common range is 0 to 90 ohms.

The gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that it will directly attach to the transducer without requiring an intermediary fuel probe computer.

The gauge is only as accurate as the probe (and calibration thereof, along with variations in flow rates, tank sizes, temperatures, settling time, and other factors.)

When utilized as a voltmeter, the gauge has an accuracy of 1%. This means that an input from a probe of 4.00 volts would be displayed within the range of 3.96 and 4.04 volts.

Page 5: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

OPERATION Turn the unit on. A screen will display containing your model number and type of input expected. The screen will also show our company name, ‘Belite’, along with an indication as to whether the unit is “locked” or “unlocked”. See Figure 2.

If the display is dim, turn up the brightness using the included potentiometer.

While booting, the first screen will also show “1 vs 2” tanks over the right button. Depressing and holding this during the boot process will flip the unit to single tank mode, and vice-versa.

While booting, the first screen will also show “Label” over the left button. Depressing and holding this during the boot process will allow the user to select labels. Tap the switches to roll through selections. Hold either button down for several seconds to lock in changes and advance to a normal instrument boot.

While booting, IF YOU HOLD BOTH BUTTONS DOWN FOR FIVE SECONDS OR MORE, the unit will shift from Positive to Negative direction on the sender type. This is reflected on the right hand display as an R+/R- indication, or similar. This allows using senders with reversed polarities.

We’ll come back to the meaning of “LOCKED” later in this document. After five seconds, the unit will automatically advance to the main display screen. The screen will look similar to the image to the right, Figure 3.

At this point, let’s describe the standard attributes of the main display screen.

On the left side are three indicator blocks, which are labeled “V”, “P” and “T”. They stand for Voltage, Programming, and Temperature.

The “V” provides system voltage status. Green is indicated for any ship power voltage between 10 and 32 volts; the indicator block turns red outside of this range.

The “P” indicates that the unit has rational programming parameters set; an example of a rational value would be a full tank set value of 4.95 volts and an empty value of 0.05 volts. An irrational value would be when the full value is equal to or less than the empty value, simply indicating a programming setup error by the user. “P” is green if good programming and red if bad. If it is red, resolve before flight, as the display will not show any information!

The “T” indicates that the internal microprocessor and display are within acceptable temperature boundaries. If the unit is too hot, the indicator block will turn red. If the unit is too cold, the indicator block will turn blue. (In extreme cold, below -20C, the LCD screen may not function at all, and you may not be able to see anything.)

The left and right tanks are shown with bar graphs.

FUEL CO

NTRO

L SYSTEMS

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

radiant fuel gAUge page 5

Figure 3: Right tank shows flow rate of 21 minutes remaining.

Figure 2: Fuel Gauge Startup Screen showing “LOCKED.”

Page 6: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

FUEL CO

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L SYSTEMS

FUEL CO

NTRO

L SYSTEMS

Radiant fuel Gauge page 6

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

OPERATION CONT.

The right side of the screen contains predictive times to empty (in minutes, with “L” and “R” for left and right tank).

The right side also shows whether you are set up in 1Tank or 2Tank mode. (‘1Ta’ or ‘2Ta’).

Just above the voltage display is an indication of the type of the unit, along with the probe polarity. For aircraft resistive probes, you would see ‘R-’. For auto probes, you would see ‘R+’. For Capacitive probes, you would see ‘C+’. If you ever would use a reversed capacitive probe, it would be ‘C-’.

Now, let’s look at a display with some actual fuel information in it. See Figure 4 at right.

Let’s discuss what we are seeing. Each bar represents one min-ute of information, and a total of 15 bars are displayed for each tank, representing current condition and 14 minutes of history.

In the example, the left tank is full, while the right tank has 89% remaining and is showing a calculated time of 53 minutes to empty.

The colors associated with the fuel bar graphs and current situation arrows correspond to the current fuel percentages.

Green – 100% to 50%Yellow – 50% to 25%Red – 25% to 0%

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

Figure 4: Left tank full. Right tank at 89%. System volts is 17.4.

PROGRAMMINGNow let’s learn how to program the unit to match your senders. You only have to do this once in the lifetime of the unit!

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND “PLAYING” WITH YOUR UNIT BEFORE INSTALLATION IN THE AIRCRAFT. THIS MAY BE DONE WITH A FRESH 9 VOLT LITHIUM BATTERY. BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE UNIT BEFORE YOU BECOME FRUS-TRATED WITH THE INSTALLATION AND PRO-GRAMMING.If your unit is LOCKED, it is impossible to change the programming values! The locking feature is included so that pilots will not errantly repro-gram their units while in flight.

If your unit is LOCKED, it displayed the message “LOCKED” on the startup screen when it powered up. Recycle the power on your unit and look at the startup screen. It was shown earlier in this document. See Figure 2, far above.

If your unit is LOCKED, it is necessary to unlock it first before programming. To do that, power on the unit, observe the startup screen, and allow it to automatically switch to the main screen. When the main screen is displayed, you may now switch to UNLOCKED mode. This is done by simultaneously depressing and holding down both switches. The unit will clear and reboot (you may stop holding the switches down anytime thereafter), and you will now see a new startup screen, which will look like Figure 5.

Figure 5: Startup screen showing “UNLOCKED”

Page 7: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

FUEL CO

NTRO

L SYSTEMS

radiant fuel gAUge page 7

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

Thereafter, approximately five seconds later, the unit will progress to the main screen.

The EMPTY and FULL positions for each of the LEFT and RIGHT tanks are programmed independent-ly. Let’s start by programming the LEFT tank. (The unit doesn’t care if you start with the LEFT or RIGHT tank, or the EMPTY OR FULL setting. You can do it in any order you want.)

Depress the LEFT switch for one second, then re-lease the switch. The unit will now display a screen similar to Figure 6.

Let’s carefully examine this screen, as shown in Figure 6. At the top, in ridiculously tiny letters, are the code version and the serial number.

LEFT is shown in large letters. The HI TANK number in red indicates that the unit currently is set so that 4.96 volts is the maximum voltage expected from the probe sender unit. The LO TANK number in red indicates that 0.03 volts is the minimum voltage expected from the probe sender unit.

The INPUT numbers of 0.01 and 4.45 volts are the actual values being received from the LEFT and RIGHT probe senders. These raw voltage levels will always reflect exactly what the fuel gauge unit is receiving from the probes. We provide both tanks all the time on this screen, even though we pro-gram only one side at a time. In this example, the LEFT sender is providing a real time reading of 0.01 volts (empty) while the RIGHT sender is providing a real time reading of 4.45 volts (about 80% full.)

(Later on, we’ll see how we can use this useful real time information in flight.)

For programming the unit, it’s usually best to start with an empty tank, on the ground, in a flight neutral position. That’s especially important for taildragger aircraft which sit in a non-flight position when on the ground.

As for programming, all we have to do is press the SET LO button for three seconds and the level will be memorized. After this, you’ll see that the LO TANK number changes to match the current sender input.

Fill the tank to full, wait three minutes, and repeat the process by pressing the SET HI button for three seconds. The HI TANK number will change to match the current sender input.

You can repeat this process indefinitely, without ever leaving the screen.

To leave screen, briefly touch either button for less than one second. The unit will revert to main screen.

While on the main screen, you can depress the RIGHT switch for one second, and it will take you to the RIGHT screen, an example which looks like Figure 7:

The process of programming the screen is identical to the LEFT process previously described.

When you are done programming, briefly touching either button reverts to the main screen.

After programming is complete, you must LOCK the unit again. This is done exactly the same way as

Figure 6: LEFT programming screen

PROGRAMMING CONT.

Figure 7: RIGHT programming screen.

Page 8: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

FUEL CO

NTRO

L SYSTEMS

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

UNLOCKing: from the main screen, simultaneously hold both buttons until the unit reboots. The unit will display the LOCK indication on the boot screen, showing that the unit may not be programmed.Here are some tips and tricks which will help:

Out of the box, 0 to 5 volt units are preset to a range of 0.01 volts to 5.00 volts. You may not need to program your unit if you are happy with these values.

When on either the LEFT or RIGHT programming screens, you can revert to factory mode (0.01 to 5.00 volts) by simultaneously holding both buttons down simultaneously. Push them and hold them down! This ignores the current INPUT and simply resets these values to the factory mode. Release after three seconds. CAUTION: Not all five volt senders go down to 0.00 or even 0.01 volts! And not all five volt senders go up to 5.00 volts!

If you want to start over, just power cycle the unit. If you want to LOCK or UNLOCK the unit, just power cycle the unit, wait for the main screen, and depress both buttons. The unit will reboot and show you the new status.

radiant fuel gauge page 8

PROGRAMMING CONT.

INFLIGHT UTILIZATION OF RAW FUEL SENDER INFORMATIONEarlier, we hinted that it is possible to see the raw fuel sender information while in flight. To do this, ensure that the unit is LOCKED. From the main screen, briefly touch either button, and the unit will show the programming screen, as shown in Figure 8.

Note that the HI TANK and LO TANK values are not red, they are white. This means that it is im-possible to change them. Meanwhile, the INPUT values are showing real time input from the fuel senders. In our example in Figure 8, they are 0.01 and 4.45 volts respectively for the LEFT and RIGHT tank. Revert back to the main screen by briefly touching either button. Holding the buttons down for extended periods of time will do nothing.

Tip: It doesn’t matter which LEFT or RIGHT screen you go to; the INPUT values from both tanks are always continuously displayed on both.

Figure 8: Programming screen while locked

RESISTIVE AND LIqUID FUEL PROBE PROGRAMMING NUANCESResistive and Liquid Fuel Probe units program in an identical manner, showing volts and allow-ing settings for HI TANK and LO TANK; also showing INPUT from each tank. The main difference is that the voltage ranges will rarely be in a nice, neat voltage range from 0.01 to 5.00 volts.

For example, with Belite’s Liquid Fuel probe sender, the input range is typically 0.50 volts (LO TANK setting) up to 1.30 volts or higher (HI TANK setting.) The settings for your installation are completely dependent on the depth of your tank and other factors.

Likewise, resistive or float probe senders will produce a voltage value which appears to be ir-regular. This is normal.

Page 9: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

CIRCUIT DIAGRAMSCAPACITIVE INPUT GAUGE (0 to 5V input) [Part # RFGA-022C]Here is the schematic diagram of a typical installation with capacitive probe senders (Figure 9).The left of the diagrams shows a master power source, typically +12V. It is switched and fused. The power goes to both senders and the gauge; the outputs of the senders are connected to the inputs of the gauge. The dimmer input is connected to the wiper on the included potentiometer. The seven pin connector provides a ground point and a regulated five volt power source for utili-zation with the potentiometer.

FUEL CO

NTRO

L SYSTEMS

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

radiant fuel gauge page 9

RESISTIVE INPUT GAUGE (0 to 500 ohm) (Typically 0 to 90 ohm; 30 to 340; etc.) [RFGA-022R]

Here is the schematic diagram (Figure 10) of a typical installation with resistive float senders.

The left of the diagrams shows a master power source, typically +12V. It is switched and fused. The power goes to just the gauge; the outputs of the senders are connected to the inputs of the gauge. The dimmer input is connected to the wiper on the included potentiometer. The seven pin connector provides a ground point and a regulated five volt power source for utilization with the potentiometer.

In order to sense resistance on the resistive float senders, current is sourced from the gauge to the resistive float wipers.

The float senders must be grounded (with ground common to the gauge) or fuel level will not be shown. If you have a non-metal aircraft structure, or your aircraft structure is not grounded to the instrumentation, this will require running a ground wire from your senders back to your instru-ment gauge.

YELLOW

RED

ORANGE

ORANGE

GNDBLACK

LEFT SENDER

SWITCH

+12V

NC

NC

NC

RED 1K+5V

PROBE OUT

PROBE OUT

BLACKGND

BACKLIGHT DIMMER

7 PIN CONNECTOR

WHITE

1A FUSE

Figure 9: capaciTive or 0-5v inpuT

RIGHT SENDER

5 PIN CONNECTOR

Page 10: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

FUEL CO

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L SYSTEMS

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

LIqUID SENSOR GAUGE (0.5 to 5V input) [Part # RFGA-022L]

Here is the schematic diagram (Figure 11 on the next page) of a typical installation with mass sen-sor senders, such as those sold by Belite.

The left of the diagrams shows a master power source, typically +12V. It is switched and fused. The power goes to the gauge. The 7 pin connector provides a regulated five volt output, which goes to the right and left Mass Sensor Probes; the outputs of the probes are connected back to the inputs of the gauge on the same 7 pin connector. The dimmer input is connected to the wiper on the included potentiometer. The seven pin connector provides a ground point and a regulated five volt power source for utilization with the potentiometer as well.

Compatibility is with any 1.5PSI sensor with 0.5 to 4.5 volt outputs. For low head (low total height of fuel) installations, these sensors will typically provide 0.5 (empty) to 1.0 (full) volts.

universal led fuel gauge page 10

CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS CONT.

YELLOW

RED

ORANGE

ORANGE

GNDBLACK

LEFT SENDER

SWITCH

+12V

NC

NC

NC

RED 1K+5V

PROBE OUT

PROBE OUT

BLACKGND

BACKLIGHT DIMMER

WHITE

1A FUSE

Figure 10: FLoaT (reSiSTive) SenDer

RIGHT SENDER

7 PIN CONNECTOR

5 PIN CONNECTOR

Page 11: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS CONT. FUEL CO

NTRO

L SYSTEMS

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

radiant fuel gauge page 11

TROUBLESHOOTING AND SPECIAL TIPSHere are some things to ponder when things aren’t working right, from basic to advanced. Is the display turning on? If not, check to make sure that you are providing power and ground.

My screen is too dim…. Turn up the brightness on the potentiometer. If the potentiometer is disconnected, your display will be very dim.

I’m flying in low light or dusk conditions, and my screen is too bright… Turn the brightness down on the potentiometer.

My probes do not work…. Do they, or don’t they? Figure it out by attaching a voltmeter to them, without attaching the display. Figuring this out first would help us save about 50% of our troubleshooting time.

Capacitive probes will provide a voltage that varies between 0 and 5 volts from empty to full. If yours do not, your probes are bad. Capacitive probes often provide a constant voltage of zero volts if shorted by water, or if inappropriately bent.

Resistive probes will provide a voltage that varies between a high voltage and a low voltage. If yours do not, your probes are bad. You can also independently check the health of your resistive probes by disconnecting them (ENTIRELY) from the gauge and by checking their resistance. They will have a low resistance (for example, 30 ohms) when full; and a high resistance (for example, 330 ohms) when empty. Other ranges are possible and likely. There’s no real standard for resistive probes. Resistive probes go bad either by developing high resistance (probably due to corrosion or wear on the wiper) or by opening (an internal failure). Installing a new fuel gauge will never solve the problem of a bad resistive probe.

Mass sensor probes provide a voltage out that is linear to the column mass of liquid above

BLACK

LEFT SENDER

SWITCH

+12V

NC

NC

NC

RED 1K+5V

BLACKBACKLIGHT DIMMER

7 PIN CONNECTOR

WHITE

1A FUSE

Figure 11: LiQuiD proBe uniT

RIGHT SENDER

5 PIN CONNECTOR

ORANGE

ORANGE

NC

NC

RED

YELLOW

+5V

Page 12: Item#: RADIANT Fuel gauge - Belite Aircraft Superlite gauge is also available in a version which is directly compatible with Belite’s fuel tank pressure transducers, meaning that

FUEL CO

NTRO

L SYSTEMS

BELITE ELECTRONICS is a Division of BELITE AIRCRAFT - Wichita, Kansas www.beliteaircraft.com E: [email protected] T: 316-253-6746

the probe level. Therefore, you can see the voltage vary as the fluid height varies. You can always see the immediate sender voltage level input on the programming screen, whether the unit is locked or not. This means you don’t necessarily have to go find a voltmeter. We provided it for you in the gauge.

More on resistive senders: The resistive senders are just variable resistors. We calculate their value by applying a small current source to them. The resulting voltage varies in correlation to the position of the wiper within the resistive sender. That is what is displayed and interpreted by the gauge as fuel level.

I’d like to use the original Belite Liquid Sensor probe with the five point calibration. How do I do that? The answer is to purchase the capacitive version of this gauge product which is compatible with 0 to 5 volt inputs. Wire the original Liquid Sensor probe computers to the inputs of the gauge. Calibrate the Liquid Sensor probes, using the five point process described in the literature with those products. Then calibrate the empty and full points of this gauge. However, these points will be very close, if not identical to the factory calibration levels of 0.01 volts and 5.00 volts.

I’d like to calibrate this unit so that it shows empty before I’m really out of fuel. Can I do that? Yes, you can. Simply set the empty point at what you consider that critical fuel point (for instance, 1/8th of a tank). Set the full point at full. Thereafter, the gauge will indicate empty even though an 1/8th of a tank remains. (You can always see the true voltage from the probe, in flight, by looking at the setup screen.)

radiant fuel gauge page 12

A New Generation of Digital Avionics

Web: www.beliteaircraft.com

Email [email protected]

Phone: (316) 253-6746

TROUBLESHOOTING CONT.