Diesel Float Switch

I wouldn't worry about setting a fire on the inside of a fuel tank, since there is no oxygen inside of a fuel tank. Even if this were a gasoline tank, as long as it has any gasoline at all in it, the fuel/air ratio is way too rich to support combustion. Stop and think about how fuel level sensors work, and in tank fuel pumps? There is nothing shielded about either of them.

GA. Not only that, but there are various types of liquid level switches in which the electrical parts (which might arc) are not exposed to the fluid/vapor they are sensing. (My field is ammonia refrigeration, and we are protecting from corrosion rather than ignition, but refrigerant float switches are probably more expensive than needed for this application, though they would work.)

They use a totally sealed reed switch (reed relay) which is operated by a magnet housed in the float.
So you will be fine.
Del

Awesome, this information is very helpful to me. BTW, the tanks are not air tight because they all have air vents. This is very helpful for me on a 1000 gallon diesel tank in an underground mine.

What ever you do , handle negative pole at the switch , so you will avoid any spark if a wire is cut or loose.

All level device in combustible tanks are negative pole connected.

Somewhat off topic here but the fuel level sensor in my, now departed, 87 BMW was a vertical metal tube with a central wire, these two served as terminals for the sensor which read the resistance which fluctuated as fuel level rose up the tube. It was great fun at about half a tank to take a hard right hand turn followed by a hard left and watch the fuel level go from half to empty to full in a matter of 30 seconds.

As for floats i know there are some that are totally mechanical which if worried you could likely purchase made out of brass or something nonsparking. Basically a butterfly or ball valve which closes when the float reaches the "full" level.

-T

There are literally millions of fuel tank level float switches both gasoline and diesel out on the public roads that have one terminal connected to a wire and the other side grounded to the metal tank. Generally this variable resistor grounds out the gauge circuit installed in the dash. Have yet to see such a device cause an explosion or fire. The wire wound resistor is shorted out by a wiper arm connected to the float.

There are also f leuel level switches that consist of a pressure sensor mounted on top a tube extending into the tank, which sense the change in air pressure inside the tube as the fuel level changes. No electrical contacts inside the tank. Check out marine supply houses for these...

its possible to use float switch.!!!

what type of float switch do you want to use...liquid,ball or dipping.?????

does the fork lift has diesel return?

if yes,this what you need to do.due to the heat produce by the returned.there is need for ventilation.a small opening.if not, there's a light foam in the floatswitch{a dunlop}it will melt if the get hotted.

the float switch can be used by AC or DC.use your meter to read the up or down.{ON or OFF}.then apply.adjust the end to your require measure for re-filling.