What Fuel Level Sensor Fits Your Diesel Generator Tank?
The GLTV7 is a capacitive fuel level sensor built for generator fuel tanks: a 120~1500 mm aluminium probe you can trim to your tank depth, SAE standard 5-hole flange mounting, ≤1 mm resolution, and 0-5V / 0.5-4.5V analog or RS232 / RS485 digital output. There is no float and no moving part — so there is nothing on the skid that can stick, jam or wear out.
Why a 3-Bar Gauge Costs More Than a Sensor
Four failures we hear from generator operators — and what a continuous reading changes.
A gauge showing E / ¼ / ½ / F tells you nothing about runtime. Get a continuous reading and let your controller work out how many hours of autonomy are actually left in the tank.
Without a recorded level, a slow leak or an overnight siphon goes unnoticed for months. Log the level continuously and the drop becomes a number you can act on.
A vibrating skid and dirty diesel are exactly what make a float sender jam. Capacitance sensing has no float and no moving part, so there is nothing inside to seize up.
One failed start-up on a standby set costs far more than the sender itself. Read the real level and place your own low-fuel threshold long before the tank runs dry.
Choose Your Generator Fuel Level Sensor in 3 Steps
Measure from the mounting face down to the tank bottom and pick the nearest length. The aluminium probe can be trimmed on site, so one part number covers several set models instead of a depth-specific SKU for each.
Choose 0-5V or 0.5-4.5V analog for a standard controller input, or RS232 / RS485 when the signal has to go onto a bus or into a remote monitoring terminal. Send us the controller model and we will confirm compatibility.
The GLTV7 outputs a continuous signal and has no alarm contact of its own. Route it to your genset controller, PLC or GPS platform and set the threshold in software — at any level you choose, not one fixed point.
Where the GLTV7 Earns Its Place
Find your working condition — the recommended configuration is shown next to it.
| Application | What goes wrong today | How the GLTV7 fixes it | Typical configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data-centre standby sets | Fuel is only eyeballed during monthly test runs, so a slow loss is invisible until the day it matters. | A continuous level feeds the controller or BMS, so you can alarm on the level and on an abnormal rate of change. | 120~1500mm · 0-5V or RS485 · FPM gasket |
| Rental generator fleets | Units come back with less fuel than they left with, and there is no way to prove what happened. | One trimmable probe covers different tank depths, and a logged level turns a dispute into a number. | Cuttable probe · RS485 · AMP connector |
| Factory & hospital backup power | A set that fails on start-up is discovered when the grid is already down. | Real level plus a software threshold gives warning long before the tank runs dry. | 0-5V analog into the genset controller |
| Construction & mining machinery | Vibration and grime kill float senders, and every replacement is unplanned downtime. | No float and no moving part — vibration cannot make it stick, and there is no wear surface. | -40~+85°C · aluminium probe · 10-32V |
| Vessels & fuel barges | Tank depth differs from boat to boat, so you end up stocking a spare part for every hull. | Trim the probe on board and re-calibrate with the calibrator supplied in the box. | Cuttable probe + calibrator · 10-32V |
Media note: the GLTV7 measures gasoline, diesel and kerosene, plus similar non-conductive oils. It is not suitable for conductive media such as water, saltwater or electrolyte solutions.
Quick Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | GLTV7 capacitive fuel level sensor |
| Measuring range | 120 ~ 1500 mm (OEM) |
| Resolution | ≤ 1 mm |
| Output signal | Analog 0~5V, 0.5~4.5V · Digital RS232, RS485 |
| Power supply | 5V / 10-32V — runs from 12V and 24V generator systems |
| Operating temperature | -40 ~ +85°C |
| Medium | Gasoline, diesel, kerosene (not for conductive media) |
| Mounting | SAE standard 5 holes — 5 pcs M5 screws + 2 mm NBR gasket |
| Probe material | Aluminium, cuttable to tank depth |
| Protection rank | IP65 |
| Connector | AMP standard · Delphi, Tyco or others optional |
Full technical parameters
| Maximum operating current | < 15 mA |
| Refresh rate | 5 s / time (customizable) |
| Cable | PVC (PA corrugated pipe cover optional) |
| Junction box material | Plastic |
| Calibration | Built-in calibrator — calibrate on first use and again after trimming |
| Trimming | Hacksaw or pipe cutter; do not cut the electrode core (marked by the manufacturer) |
| Multiple sensors | 2~4 units in one large tank, averaged by the controller |
| Remote monitoring | RS485 / RS232 to a 4G terminal, then cloud platform or app |
| Media limitation | Not for conductive media (water, saltwater, electrolyte) |
| Alarm capability | None built in — threshold is set in your controller |
| OEM options | Length, output signal, connector, gasket, cable, branding |
Which Fuel Level Sensing Technology Fits Your Project?
| Feature | GLTV7 Capacitive | GLTV3 Reed switch | GLT621 Magnetostrictive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensing principle | Capacitance | Reed switch + float | Magnetostrictive |
| Resolution | ≤ 1 mm | 21 mm (10 mm optional) | High precision, continuous |
| Moving parts | None | Float | Float + guide |
| Output | 0-5V / 0.5-4.5V / RS232 / RS485 | Resistance / 4-20mA / voltage | High-precision digital |
| Built-in alarm contact | No | Optional high / low | No |
| Best for | Vibration, wear-free operation and precise fuel management | A hard-wired alarm contact on a budget | Maximum-precision inventory measurement |
Generator Fuel Level Sensor — Selection & Ordering Questions
Which output should I choose for my generator controller?
Choose 0-5V or 0.5-4.5V analog if your genset controller has a standard analog input; choose RS232 or RS485 when the level signal goes onto a bus or a remote monitoring terminal. Tell us your controller model and we will confirm compatibility before you order.
Can I cut the probe to fit my tank?
Yes. The aluminium probe is made to be trimmed with a hacksaw or pipe cutter. Cut it to your tank depth but do not cut the electrode core, which is marked by the manufacturer, then re-calibrate with the calibrator supplied in the box.
Does the GLTV7 have a built-in low-fuel alarm?
No. The GLTV7 outputs a continuous signal and has no alarm contact. Send that signal to your genset controller, PLC or GPS platform and set the low-fuel threshold in software — which also lets you place the alert at any level you choose. If you need a hard-wired alarm contact, our reed-switch GLTV3 offers optional high and low level alarm switches.
What media can the GLTV7 measure?
Gasoline, diesel and kerosene, plus similar non-conductive oils such as hydraulic oil. It cannot be used with conductive media such as water, saltwater or electrolyte solutions, because conductivity distorts the capacitance signal.
What resolution do I get, and why does it matter?
1 mm or better. That is around twenty times finer than a typical reed-switch sender at 21 mm, and it is what makes accurate fuel consumption tracking and hours-of-runtime estimation possible.
Will vibration on the generator skid damage it?
No. Capacitance sensing uses no float and no moving parts, so there is nothing to jam, rattle or wear out. The operating range is -40 to +85°C.
What power supply does it need?
5V or 10-32V, so it runs directly from 12V and 24V generator DC systems. Maximum operating current is below 15mA.
Can it feed a remote monitoring or GPS platform?
Yes. The GLTV7 is compatible with GPS tracking systems, and the RS485 or RS232 output can be connected to a 4G terminal so the level data is available on a cloud platform or app.
Which connector and gasket are supplied?
AMP standard connector by default, with Delphi, Tyco or other types available on request. Mounting uses the SAE standard 5-hole flange with 5 pcs M5 screws and a 2 mm NBR gasket; for fuel tanks we recommend the optional 2 mm FPM gasket.
Can I get a sample before ordering in volume?
Yes. Samples are available for testing on your own set. Send your tank depth, medium and required output and our application engineers will arrange it and confirm MOQ and lead time.
Why Buy Your Generator Fuel Level Sensor from GAMICOS
R&D, production and sales under one roof — pressure sensors, level sensors, fuel level sensors, water level meters, ultrasonic and radar meters, plus LoRa / GPRS / NB-IoT / 4G wireless instruments.
Shipped to the United States, India, Russia, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and beyond, serving thousands of customers every year.
Core products pass EU CE and RoHS testing; selected models also carry explosion-proof / flameproof and CCS certification.
Custom length, output signal, connector, gasket, cable and branding, with quick prototyping for generator assembly lines.
Samples are available so you can verify the reading on a live set before placing a volume order.
Send your tank depth, medium and controller input — you get a configuration and a quote back within 24 hours, not a catalogue and a price list.
