Flow Meter

[timw]

I've never seen or used a flow meter but have heard they are useful to help run the engine economically.

I was wondering how easy they are to fit. Is this a simple DIY job, and does anyone know how it actually works? I guess some sort of sender has to be put in the fuel line, or does it mean taking the engine apart?

Also, it is necessary to get a Yamaha make, or will any make do?
Pehaps someone has a recommendation.

Many thanks

[David Hickman]

I have got the Yamaha fuel computer fitted into my fuel line. Excellent bit of kit. I tend to use the "total gallons used" display rather than relying on my fuel guage. It's much more accurate. There are other make available and I remember that the yamaha unit is not cheap.
I think NAVMAN make a reasonably price unit that is easy to fit.

[Brian]

A number of us have Floscan units.
We have the diesel version (which has, in addition, to measure the return of any unused fuel).
These cost £500 plus and I personally would not describe them as a simple, DIY fit. But then I am a plonker.
Once fitted, however, they are the dog's dangleys. A tank contents guage alongside one of these is near to useless. After running with mine now for over 4000 miles since April, it is accurate to within less than 3%. i.e. if it says I have used 100 litres, when refilling my tank, I find it will take more than 97 litres (but less than 100).
Thus when running on a journey you can very accurately decide if you have enough fuel to last you, and if it's "iffy" you can reduce your engine revs until the "rate of fuel being used NOW" needle, stays below the desired consumption rate.
I could not do the type of cruising I do without one.

[Keith Hart]

Once fitted, however, they are the dog's dangleys

Amen to that Brian

Keith Hart

[Charles]

Originally posted by Brian
they are the dog's dangleys. After running with mine now for over 4000 miles since April, it is accurate to within less than 3%. you can very accurately decide if you have enough fuel to last you, and if it's "iffy" you can reduce your engine revs until the "rate of fuel being used NOW" needle, stays below the desired consumption rate.
I could not do the type of cruising I do without one.

Hmmmm, Brian - SO..... what happened outside of Hornfleur/Deauville then, huh??

[Brian]

I ran out of fuel Charles (as well you know).
To be honest I still haven't bottomed out why.
I told you I was a plonker!

[Keith Hart]

I told you I was a plonker!

Maybe Brian, but at least you're a 'Round Britain' plonker

Anyway a floscan will not stop you running out of fuel but at least you know it's about to happen...

Keith (25 ltr) Hart

[Mike Garside]

Originally posted by Brian
Once fitted, however, they are the dog's dangleys.

Agreed, Brian.

After the last trip (that included Charles's Herm bash) my fuel usage was 2% out. I have since corrected that by a 2% calibration so it should be dead on come next fill.

However, I should be wrong and willl be very interested to see the result because, if Alan Priddy is right, the guage should now be over-reading. I have added the Soltron given to me to try out by Dominic "Depsol". Soltron is reputed to reduce fuel consumption.

P.S. RIBnet's Andy Cox is now an accredited agent for Soltron. Get your supplies from him, folks. He tells me that all his end of season layups will be using it and he has started a trial with a heavy haulage company down our way.

[Charles]

That is terribly impressive Brian, Mike.
My Navman fuel monitoring system is more than 10/15% under. I just cannot seem to calibrate it properly - it is driving me nuts! I also do not think you can compare the Navman kit to the Floscan - i.e. floscan is of a much better quality and more reliable.
In saying that the Navman GPS works a treat when compared to my Raymarine plotter.
Approaching a bouy with the lat and long plumbed in to the Raymarine and Navman, the 'waypoint arrival' alarm sounded within 2 seconds of each other.
When are you and Di off to Nepal then Mike?

[Mike Garside]

Flying off to Turkey for a quick week's diving today, Charles. Then it's hard work for the whole of October getting trek fit. We head for Nepal on 5 Nov. Ribbin's over for this year for Di and me