Every litre in sight
Know exactly how much fuel you have, without relying on a float that can stick, wear or struggle to settle as the vehicle moves. Gill capacitive fuel level sensors measure continuously along the probe, with no moving parts in the sensing mechanism, delivering dependable fuel level measurement for vehicles operating in demanding conditions.
A fuel gauge is only as good as its float
Range, endurance, refuelling plans and fuel accounting all depend on the level reading, yet many tanks still rely on a float on an arm or a stack of reed switches. Both put moving parts in the fuel, and both report in steps rather than continuously.
Weight and space are tight. On a UAV or a race car every gram and every millimetre of tank has a job. The sensor has to fit the tank, not the other way round.
The tank moves. Vehicles brake, climb and corner, generators vibrate and marine tanks pitch and roll. A continuous signal can be averaged by the receiving system, where a float jumps between positions.
Your liquid.
The right fit.From tank dimensions to output and supply voltage, share the details and our engineers will help you find the sensor configuration that fits.
Accurate fuel level measurement, without the moving parts
Knowing how much fuel is left should be straightforward. But in vehicles exposed to vibration, changing loads and fuel slosh, mechanical gauges can be less than ideal.
Gill capacitive fuel level sensors take a different approach, measuring fuel continuously along a probe rather than relying on a float to indicate the level. As fuel rises or falls, the balance between fuel and air around the probe changes its capacitance. The sensor converts that change into a fuel level reading that can be sent to a gauge, vehicle controller or telematics system. With no float, arm or reed switch in the measurement mechanism, there are fewer mechanical components to stick or wear, and the fully sealed electronics support use in demanding operating environments.
Continuous measurement. Track fuel level along the probe, capturing changes during consumption and refuelling rather than relying on discrete switching points.
Calibrated for the application. Factory calibration is matched to the probe length and intended application, helping deliver a fuel level reading suited to the tank being monitored.
Outputs to suit your system. Depending on the model, choose from 0 to 10 V, 4 to 20 mA, RS232 or CAN for integration with compatible gauges, controllers and vehicle telematics systems.
Not all fuel level sensors see the tank the same way
Some measure down to the surface. Others follow a float. Gill capacitive fuel level sensors take a different approach, measuring continuously along a probe immersed in the fuel. That distinction matters when you’re choosing a sensor for a vehicle, plant or machinery tank, where installation space, fuel movement and the accuracy you need all influence which technology makes sense.
| Method | Our approachGill capacitive | Radar | Ultrasonic | Float or reed switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it reads the level | Reads the change in capacitance along a probe in the liquid | Times a microwave pulse reflected off the surface from above | Times a sound pulse echoing off the surface from above | A float rides the surface and moves an arm, stem or switch |
| Moving parts | None | None | None | Float and pivot or stem |
| Foam on the surface | Measures the liquid along the probe, not the top of the foam | Heavy foam can weaken the echo | Foam can absorb the echo | The float can sit on the foam |
| Vibration and slosh | Continuous signal the receiving system can average | A moving surface can scatter the echo | A moving surface can scatter the echo | The float swings and the reading jumps |
| Small or cramped tanks | One compact probe through a single fitting | Needs headroom and a clear beam path | Needs headroom for its dead zone | Needs room for the float to travel |
| Shaped tanks | Calibrated against the tank profile | Set up for the vessel geometry | Set up for the vessel geometry | Arm geometry limits accuracy |
| Watch out for | Calibration to the liquid, and a probe matched to conductive or fouling liquids | Weaker echoes from low-dielectric liquids such as fuels and oils, false echoes from internal structures, size and cost | Vapour, condensation, temperature layers and internal obstructions | Sticking, wear, deposits and readings in steps |
| Where it fits best | Vehicle, plant, marine, UAV and machinery tanks | Large storage tanks and process vessels | Open tanks, sumps and channels with a calm surface | Simple, low-cost tanks and alarms |
Why engineers choose Gill capacitive
- Nothing moves, so nothing sticks, wears or fouls
- Reads the liquid, not the foam or the ripple on top
- One compact probe that fits tanks other methods cannot
- Calibrated to the liquid and to the shape of the tank
If your vessel is better served by a non-contact method, our engineers will say so plainly.
Engineered for tanks that don’t fit the mould
Fuel tanks are shaped around chassis rails, airframes and machinery, not designed as neat rectangles. That makes accurate fuel measurement more complex: the same change in fuel height can represent very different changes in volume, depending on the tank’s geometry. Gill level sensors can be configured to account for the tank’s shape, translating measured level into a more meaningful indication of how much fuel it contains.
Tank profiling across the range. GSLevel, Gill’s configuration software for its liquid level sensor range, includes tank profiling to support volumetric output rather than height alone.
Profile it your way. Use the configuration wizard or upload a CSV file describing the tank’s cross-section.
Calibrated to your tank. LevelDefend and custom level sensors can be calibrated to the customer’s tank geometry, helping deliver fuel level measurements suited to the installation.
Which fuel level sensor suits your tank?
Which Gill fuel level sensor fits depends on the platform before the fuel: LevelPro for general vehicle, plant and generator tanks, LevelLite where weight is critical, and LevelDefend for military vehicles and craft.
LevelPro
Best for general fuel, oil, water and coolant tanks
LevelPro is the general-purpose sensor in the Gill range, built in corrosion-resistant stainless steel and fully sealed. It measures fuel, oil, water and other liquids continuously in vehicles, tanks and industrial equipment, with 0 to 10 V or 4 to 20 mA output and RS232 for configuration.
- Stainless steel
- IP66 and IP68
- 0 to 10 V
- 4 to 20 mA
- RS232
- Tank profiling
LevelLite
Best for UAVs and weight-critical platforms
LevelLite is built in aluminium for platforms where weight matters most, such as UAVs. It measures fuel continuously with voltage or current output and RS232 for configuration, sealed to IP68, with probes up to around 750 mm.
- Aluminium
- IP68
- Probe to around 750 mm
- Voltage or current
- Tank profiling
LevelDefend
Best for military vehicles and craft
LevelDefend is a military-grade level sensor in 6082 T6 anodised aluminium, solid-state and environmentally sealed, tolerant of shock and vibration and designed for low EMC. Outputs and calibration follow the customer’s requirement, so each build is specified with the vehicle or vessel team.
- 6082 T6 aluminium
- Shock and vibration tolerant
- Low EMC
Frequently asked questions
A capacitive fuel level sensor measures the change in capacitance along a probe as fuel rises and falls around it. Fuel and air have different dielectric properties, so the sensor can resolve the level continuously along the probe length. A Gill capacitive fuel level sensor has no float, arm or switch in the measurement, so there is nothing mechanical in the fuel to stick or wear.
A Gill level sensor can measure an irregular-shaped tank because tank profiling turns the level reading into a volumetric output. GSLevel, the configuration software for the Gill liquid level sensor range, profiles the tank through a configuration wizard or from a CSV file of the tank’s cross section. LevelDefend and custom builds are calibrated to the customer’s tank, so a tank drawing at enquiry lets an engineer confirm the approach.
A capacitive fuel level sensor removes the moving parts that a float sender relies on and reports the level continuously rather than in steps, which suits tanks with vibration, slosh or long service intervals. A float sender can still be adequate in a simple, low-cost tank. The choice depends on the tank, the platform and how the level reading will be used.
LevelLite is the Gill level sensor designed for weight-critical platforms such as UAVs. It is built in aluminium, sealed to IP68 and available with probes up to around 750 mm, with voltage or current output and RS232 for configuration. Gill engineers confirm the probe length and output against the tank drawing before the sensor is built.
A Gill fuel level sensor can often be fitted to an existing tank when the mounting position, thread or flange and probe length suit it. Where they do not, Gill can adapt the flange, cable or probe, or design a custom level sensor. Tank drawings and the fuel type at enquiry are enough for an engineer to check the fit.
Gill fuel level sensor choice depends on the platform and the tank. LevelLite is the lightweight aluminium sensor for weight-critical platforms such as UAVs. LevelPro is the robust stainless steel sensor for general-purpose vehicle, plant and machinery tanks. LevelDefend is a custom military-grade sensor for defence vehicles and marine craft, calibrated to the customer’s tank. Gill engineers can help match probe length, output and supply voltage to the installation.
Gill fuel level sensors offer a choice of outputs, and the choice depends on the model. LevelPro provides 0 to 10 V, 4 to 20 mA or RS232. LevelLite adds CAN alongside RS232, voltage and current options, which suits vehicle networks and telematics. LevelSlick offers voltage, current or resistive output, and LevelDefend is built with the output the customer’s system requires. A 4 to 20 mA current output needs a 250 ohm load resistor.
A Gill fuel level sensor in the LevelPro or LevelLite range runs from a +5 to +32 V DC supply, which covers 12 V and 24 V vehicle and plant systems. One LevelPro output type uses a +9 to +32 V DC supply instead. LevelSlick and LevelDefend supply requirements are set out on the datasheet or the build specification, so confirm the figure for the model and configuration being specified.
Talk to an engineer
Tell us what you need to measure, where and under what conditions. We’ll help you work out the appropriate approach.
We aim to respond in one working day.
What our engineers will ask about
- Probe length and tank shapeThe probe has to suit the tank depth and the mounting position. Share the tank geometry so the probe length and calibration match it.
- The fuelPetrol, diesel, aviation and bio-blended fuels differ in their electrical properties. Name the fuel at enquiry so the sensor is calibrated for it.
- Output and supplyMatch the output to the receiving system: voltage, current, RS232 or CAN, by model. LevelPro runs from +5 to +32 V DC.
- Sealing and environmentLevelPro is sealed to IP66 and IP68 and LevelLite to IP68. Confirm the rating the installation needs, including washdown or immersion.