Fuel measurement.

Jono · 07 April 2004, 10:47

I feel the need to monitor my fuel consumption....

Had a look through the "archives" and couldn't put my finger on a definitve answer, so my question is...

Can I add a "fuel flow" sensor to my Garmin 182, or do I need a stand alone piece of kit/guage? If so, what, where from and how much?

Cheers all!

Aging Youth · 07 April 2004, 11:37

Hi Jono,

From memory there are two types on the market "Flow Scan" and "Navman" distributed my Plastimo.

Flow Scan is very expensive; about a grand I think, but has very good reviews and tends to lean on the commercial use. I understand it can monitor hundreds of litre per hour.

The navman unit is either part of the GPS which is what I have fitted or as a seperate display unit.

I discussed this with other members late last year on this thread and from the info provided whent with the Navman to start with. Once I sussed out how to calibrate it. The unit seems to work well and is fairly accurate. I did not have any type of fuel monitoring system before other than the good old dip stick.

Hope this helps.

Regards

simmons0 · 07 April 2004, 11:57

Garmin don't do fuel flow sensors so you will need a stand alone unit.

Navman will do you a fuel kit, it looks great and from all the diagrams im looking at in their catalogue you could fit it yourself in 10 mins.

http://www.navman.com/marine/products/fuel/fuel3100/
http://www.vitelectronics.com/nm3100f.html

Jono · 07 April 2004, 12:49

Thanks for the info guys, unfortunately Navman's UK agent's website (Plastimo) seems to be fubar.. will try again later!

jwalker · 07 April 2004, 12:55

.....you could fit it yourself in 10 mins.

How often have you said that before you started something?

Dinner's ready............ I'll just be 5 minutes, nearly finished......

stevetheboat · 07 April 2004, 13:03

Hi,

If your having trouble getting through to Navman site try going via our links page at www.nautequipe.co.uk and click I have just tried this and it works fine.
You will find all the details on Navman range there, I hope.

Ps As Garmin dealer I can confirm no such item is available for any Garmin unit.

Regards,

Steve

steedthrust · 07 April 2004, 13:48

I too have gone down the Navman route. I have chosen to use a Navman FishFinder 4200 as my fuel computer, the depth is also interfaced to the Navman plotter I have (F/Fis NEMA compliant). Seemed to give me more options than just fuel data and on a bigger screen. But I didn't compared cost vs a standalone untit as previously mentioned.

Depth, Fish, Speed, Temp & Fuel.

In the process of fitting at the mo.

Will let u know how I get on with it.

Rick · 07 April 2004, 17:29

I fitted the Navman fuel flow last year along with the Navman 4200 fishfinder. Once calibrated it gives very accurate readings. Also as the 4200 gives speed info through the multihead transducer it continually calculates fuel economy figures based on the current fuel flow. You therefore get a continual reading of litres per hour as well as Nautical Miles per litre. Very useful on a long run as you can set up for the most economical speed. It gives some surprising results. On a flat day I found the most economical speed was only 6kn short of my max 29kn v 35kn ( This was on Mariner 75 four stroke).

Have still to work out best figures with new engine as it is still being run in

Keith Hart · 07 April 2004, 17:31

Ask Brian what is fitted in Cyanide, 'cus I can tell you it was damned useful (and acurate) on our uk circumnavigation.

Keith Hart

codprawn · 07 April 2004, 18:25

Glad this topic has been posted - looks like I will have to treat myself to a Navman setup - optimum fuel figures can be very suprising!

Same with cars - many people used to think that 56mph was the most economical speed - varies greatly with different types of vehicle.

One problem appears to be measuring fuel flow with modern efi type engines - seems that you have to sample fuel flow over a period of time - say 30 seconds so the computer can average a reading.

If you have an efi make sure the system will work for you - Naman stuff seems suitable but a bit more reading up first!

Dirk Diggler · 07 April 2004, 19:04

Flowscan too expensive, Navman ok other than you have to have the whole set up, and Plastimo aren't to brilliant at after sales service, IMHO.

Best one of all is the FARIA Fuel Monitor, 52mm gauge, gives Fuel Remaining, Fuel Used, Total Fuel Used, Low Fuel Alarm and more. It's stand alone so you can still have the superior Garmin instead of Nav Whatsit, and it only cost a couple of hundred quid. Available in different colour faces and bezels. www.asap-supplies.com

Jelly · 08 April 2004, 07:39

Hey Dirk
your last got me thinking that my search was over, but its for petrol only :-(
am I right if you run a diesel boat there is only the Flowscan available
James

gingercoastie · 08 April 2004, 08:21

Navman has just brought a diesel fuel monitor.

Jelly · 08 April 2004, 11:03

True Navman have launched the Diesel 3200, but I have found out due to manufacuring problems it won't be ready till end of season. They are concentrating on the fish finder version.
Thus its not available

http://www.navman.com/marine/product.../index.html#pn

DGR · 08 April 2004, 13:22

That's a serious problem if there's enough water in your fuel for fish to survive..........

steedthrust · 08 April 2004, 14:12

What is the difference between a diesel meter and a petrol one. I would have assumed petrol would have been more difficult to measure, in the sense thay the equipment would have to be specced higher.

Any boffins able to explain?

Mark Halliday · 08 April 2004, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by steedthrust

What is the difference between a diesel meter and a petrol one.

Don't need to be a boffin. Diesel engines return excess fuel to the tank. Therefore you need two sensors with a diesel, one for flow from the tank and one for return flow to the tank. The meter then subtracts return from flow and gives your fuel used.

Just one sensor needed for petrol, which tell you how fast your wallet is emptying.

stevetheboat · 08 April 2004, 16:26

Further intereting reading re these new Navman units can be found at following address (go to page 37 on pdf file)http://www.navman.com/assets/marine/...20Euro2004.pdf

It does appear that these units will operate on (I quote):-
any carburetted 2 stroke outboard from 50 - 300hp
any EFI 2 stroke outboard from 50 - 300hp
any 4 stroke outboard from 90 - 300hp
any sterndrive or inboard from 70 - 450hp

The only fly in the ointment is that you need to ensure that by fitting the flow sensor in the inlet line this does not exceed the manufacturers recommended back flow pressure.
And that the flow sensor is always fitted AFTER the primary fuel filter.

Hope the above has been of some interest to all parties.

gingercoastie · 08 April 2004, 16:46

With regards to the Navman fuel flow meters.

For the first summer with the boat, I used the in built one in myGPS/plotter.

But I havenow moved on to a seperate Fuel 3100, mainly because I am lazy and It saves me having to swap pages on the GPS, and using the economy setting I can try and extend my range (I mean wallet) by cruising at the most economical throttle setting.

Dirk Diggler · 08 April 2004, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly

Hey Dirk
your last got me thinking that my search was over, but its for petrol only :-(
am I right if you run a diesel boat there is only the Flowscan available
James

Sorry about that, I was answering Jono's question, and I assumed it was for petrol, those dirty smelly oily things will never catch on!

Flowscan is not the only one though, I have details of others but I've filed ( misplaced) them away somewhere.

I'll have a right good look later and get back to you!

Don't go the Navman route, pants!!! IMHO of course!