How Does a Fuel Gauge Work?
1 Answers
The working principle of a fuel gauge: When the fuel level in the tank decreases, the float sinks, moving the sliding arm and increasing the resistance. As a result, the current returning to the fuel gauge decreases relatively, causing the fuel gauge reading to drop. The fuel gauge consists of a thin metal rod and a float connected to the rod, with the float typically made of foam plastic. The end of the metal rod is attached to a variable resistor. A resistor is a device used to impede the flow of electric current. The greater the resistance, the smaller the current that passes through. The fuel gauge is a relatively simple device. Current flowing from the sender passes through a resistor, which may be wrapped around or located near a bimetallic strip. The bimetallic strip is connected to the fuel gauge needle via a linkage. When the resistance increases, the current passing through the heating coil decreases, causing the bimetallic strip to cool down. As the strip cools, it straightens, moving the fuel gauge needle from 'full' toward 'empty.'