Drivstoffmåler

Drivstoffmåler, commonly translated as fuel gauge, is a device that indicates the amount of usable fuel remaining in a tank. It is a standard component in motor vehicles, boats, and aircraft, often integrated with the vehicle’s or vessel’s fuel management system.

The system typically consists of a fuel level sensor (sender) mounted in the tank and a gauge or display at the cockpit or helm. Traditional implementations use a float attached to a variable resistor; as the fuel level changes, the float moves and a corresponding resistance or voltage is sent to the gauge. Modern installations may use electronic senders that communicate digitally, or capacitive sensors that measure the fuel level by changes in the dielectric constant. In some large or specialized tanks, more precise methods such as radar-based level measurement are used.

Display and calibration are important aspects. The gauge usually shows a range from empty to full and may include a low-fuel warning. Readings can be affected by tank geometry, sloshing, or baffles, so installers calibrate the sender to the specific tank to improve accuracy. In vehicles, the gauge is often designed to provide a margin before reaching empty, reducing the chance of an unexpected fuel depletion.

Maintenance considerations include potential failures of floats or sensors, wiring faults, or electronic malfunctions. Digital systems may report fault codes indicating problems with the sender or gauge.