Sensor Definition and Purpose

The TDQ-BLE sensor (hereinafter referred to as “TDQ,” “sensor,” or “probe”) is an external probe whose readings are used by the TD-BLE sensor to which the TDQ-BLE is connected - to adjust level readings in order to minimize the impact on readings caused by changes in fuel composition (changes in the dielectric constant of the medium).

The TDQ is installed to avoid the need to recalibrate the TD-BLE or TD-150-BLE sensor in the following cases:

Switching from one type of fuel to another (such as seasonal switches from summer to winter diesel and back)

Minor changes in fuel composition caused by changes in the percentage of certain additives relative to the total volume or composition of the fuel, which lead to discrepancies between refueling and draining records in the monitoring system and on receipts from gas stations

Warning! The TDQ-BLE is not designed to resolve short circuits in fuel level sensor tubes caused by the ingress of water, dirt, or liquids whose dielectric constant differs by an order of magnitude from that of light petroleum products!

In other words, the TDQ-BLE has no effect on the sensor when it transmits codes 6500 or 7000.

Warning! Only the new model of TD-BLE sensors with a hexagonal head, software version 1.4.3, and a pin-mounted sensor tube are compatible with the TDQ. The sensor must be updated to software version 2.5.0.

In the previous tube mounting configuration, the inner tube is visible through the drainage hole (not compatible with TDQ):

Modern pin-type tube fastening (with a through drainage hole):

Sensor design

The TDQ-BLE consists of two sensors:

- The meter itself

- The fill level sensor

The meter and the fill sensor are calibrated at the same time.

TDQ-BLE calibration

To calibrate the TDQ, submerge it completely in the fuel. Adjust the angle several times, making sure that all air has been expelled from the device’s chambers

(note: the container in the images does not contain water).

This photo shows the calibration process for an older model of the TD-Q (the procedure is the same):

Current appearance of the TDQ-BLE probe:

Next you need to connect to the sensor in the mobile app. Go to “Sensor Settings” > “TD-Q,” select the desired sensor, and tap “Connect.”:

Wait 2–3 minutes, since the sensor takes a reading once every minute. This way, you can be absolutely sure that a reading has been taken.

After 2–3 minutes, go to the “Settings” menu, enter (or set) a password, and tap the “Calibrate” button in the “Full” section.

Next remove the TDQ from the fuel. Drain the fuel.

Wait another 2–3 minutes. Then press the “Calibrate” button in the “Empty” section

The calibration values in the “Full” section must be higher than the calibration values in the “Empty” section. If this condition is not met perform the calibration again.

Connecting the TDQ-BLE to the TD-BLE Sensor

To connect the TDQ to the TD-BLE, you need to connect to that TD-BLE. Go to “Sensor Settings” > “TD-BLE,” select the sensor, and tap “Connect.”

Next, go to the “Settings” section. Enter or set the TD-BLE sensor password.

Swipe up from the bottom to scroll through the menu to the TDQ pairing section.

Enter the TDQ’s MAC address without the colon (you can find it in the app when connected to the TDQ or in the NRF Connect app), along with its password.

Enable one of the two correction modes. Then select the correction mode, tap “Save,” and confirm your selection.

Correction Modes, Measurement Principles and Data Transmission

In the connection settings, you can select two correction modes:

1) Normal; enabled by the “On” option

2) Correction mode with fuel level detection; enabled by the “Enabled with fuel level detection” option;

By default, the TD-BLE sensor performs scanning sessions to receive a TDQ-BLE packet every 10 minutes. Changing this interval in the settings is not currently supported.

When the correction mode with refueling detection is enabled, the FLS(fuel level sensor) will perform an unscheduled scan if the following conditions are met:

The level has increased by 25%;

The level increase occurred in less than 3 minutes;

If these conditions are met, the TD-BLE interprets this level change as a refueling event.

If the TD-BLE does not detect a TDQ-BLE packet, scanning is disabled until the next scheduled session (every 10 minutes).

The correction mode with refueling detection allows corrections to occur more quickly during refueling, but may slightly increase battery consumption in the TD-BLE.

As mentioned above, TDQ-BLE measures the dielectric constant of the environment once per minute. At the same time, advertising packets are sent every second. Changing these intervals in the settings is not currently supported.

Summary:

TDQ-BLE:

- Measures the dielectric constant of the environment once every 60 seconds, with no option to change the interval, provided that the fill sensor in TDQ-BLE detects that the tank is full;

- Checks the status of the fill sensor once every 60 seconds, with no option to change the interval;

- Sending packets once every 1 second, with no option to change the interval;

Thus, dielectric constant measurements are taken once every 60 seconds if the fill sensor is triggered. In an empty tank, only the fill sensor status is checked every 60 seconds to conserve battery power.

As soon as the fill sensor detects that the TDQ-BLE is full, dielectric measurements will be performed in normal mode that is, every 60 seconds.

TD-BLE:

- Scans TDQ-BLE packets once every 10 minutes; the interval cannot be changed;

- Ability to perform an unscheduled scan upon refueling (a 25% increase in level in less than 3 minutes);

- Scan session duration: 1 second, with no option to change this setting;

- No changes to the data logging principles in the black box;

- The sensor’s calibration mode does not affect communication with the TDQ-BLE;

- It is best to calibrate the sensor before connecting the TDQ-BLE;

Important! Currently, communication between the TD-BLE and the TDQ-BLE is not possible if the TD-BLE is connected to the Escort Configurator mobile app.

Installation of the TDQ-BLE in the tank

Before installing the TDQ, it is recommended to tie a strong fishing line around it so that you can retrieve the probe from the tank if it falls inside during installation. Remove the fishing line after installation.

Thread the TD-BLE sensor tube through the TDQ mounting bracket:

Squeeze the clamp's ears to increase its diameter:

Insert the TDQ-BLE mounting leg into the clamp (the notches on the leg should align with the narrow part of the clamp):

Align the edges of the TDQ-BLE centering devices and the sensor; mark the location of the clamp on the sensor tubes with the centering devices aligned:

Move the TDQ-BLE to the edge of the sensor tubes:

Insert the TDQ-BLE into the hole in the tank, lower it, slightly squeeze the clamp’s ears, and lower the sensor tubes to the mark made earlier; then lower the FLS(fuel level sensor) into the tank and secure it with self-tapping screws, following the basic FLS installation instructions.

The photos below show an example with a plate that has 35-mm-diameter holes drilled for the TD-BLE:

When installing the FLS, install a gasket. Apply oil- and gasoline-resistant sealant to the gasket and the FLS mounting area.

A program for generating graphs from the TD-BLE black box