Measuring Gas-Tank Level via Microcontroller?

[Miax]

Maker Community,

Hello! My first robot project will involve turning my snow blowing into a autonimous droid that I will control via live video feed from my house. It will require both an Arudino Mega and a Rasberry Pi working together along with a dozen HiTec Servos (some waterproof, some super-troque), one electric motor and TONS of Adafruit electronics!

I have two challenges that I don't know how to overcome, this thread addresses the first; understanding how much gas is left in the tank (so the droid will know when to drive home for fuel).

Is there a Safe sensor that I can use to measure fuel-level in the gas tank ,shown below via my Arduino Microcontroller?

Snapper Snow Blower - Pre-Modification

SnowDroidBackSideProfile800x600.JPG (317.62 KiB) Viewed 714 times

Thanks in advance!!

Kris

[franklin97355]

You could install a "sightglass" on the tank and use IR sensors to get the level of the gas in the glass.

[john444]

Hi Kris,

I think you might use something like this gas-cap to start:
http://www.amazon.com/fuel-gauge-Simplicity-171252-2171252/dp/B000NEAM92/ref=pd_sim_sbs_lg_5
The cork on the twisted shaft rotates the pointer about 270° from full to empty.
You might use a optical coupler to detect the empty position or use an encoder to detect position.

I imagine riding on the snow-blower is going to be a rough environment -
hot, cold, vibrating like crazy, wet, greasy, gasoline vapors. Lots of rough stuff.

Good Luck, John

[apastump]

Curious topic

[Miax]

Hi John!

Thank you again for the great suggestion! I took advantage of your advice and just ordered one from Amazon.

You also gave me pause about the environment - I had considered the hot, cold, wet, greasy and vapors, but I had forgotten how bad they vibrate!

I took some time this morning and adjusted my designs accordingly, I will post them in a bigger post about the project when I'm more ready. I'm still gathering the parts and improving my 3D printers environment to cut-out the drafts (as I'll need to print several parts for the project).

Thanks again John! I'll definitely give you proper mention in the credits!

Cheers,

Kris