Lowrance fuel flow meter/ tank level sender questions.

Nos4r2 · 04 March 2013, 09:37

The Ep60r fuel flow meter arrived along with the N2k network kit.

1) Is it critical to mount it vertically as per instuctions as it'd be far easier on my fuel system to mount it horizontally.

2) If I get the N2k fuel sender converter, will it work on this type of fuel gauge?

Pikey Dave · 04 March 2013, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

The Ep60r fuel flow meter arrived along with the N2k network kit.

1) Is it critical to mount it vertically as per instuctions as it'd be far easier on my fuel system to mount it horizontally.

2) If I get the N2k fuel sender converter, will it work on this type of fuel gauge?

1, Dunno sorry.
2, Depends whether the sender is a standard resistive output, if it is, the converter will work..ish. I have the converters on my tank senders & frankly they're a waste of time (and money). Unless the boat is perfectly still & level, the readings bounce about all over the place. The result is you get constant "low fuel" warnings from the N2k system, I-Command in my case. I use the fuel flow data from the EMM in the engines to calculate fuel remaining, it's much more accurate & not subject to the boat bouncing around. Is your engine N2K compliant?

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

PD

Nos4r2 · 04 March 2013, 10:11

Actually, thats a big help-thanks Dave. I won't bother getting the gauge converter-it sounds more than a bit annoying.

The engine is n2k compatible apparently but involves some serious research so I'll stick to the fuel flow meter on both the Smartcraft and the GPS.

Erin · 04 March 2013, 11:28

If you really want an N2K sender then I'd suggest you get one from offshore systems (OSUKL). A bit pricey but very good.

As for mounting the fuel flow meter, I don't think it will have much effect being horizontal. They usualluy advise against it to reduce the risk of air bubbles or an air lock causing a problem.

jyasaki · 04 March 2013, 15:35

The fuel flow meter is spec'd to mount vertically to prevent air bubbles from pooling in the unit. It can be mounted horizontally and will be fine until you do get an air bubble in it (which, with a working system, isn't that likely, IMO.) If it must be horizontal, have the unit at the bottom of a slight U shape (i.e. run the fuel hoses upwards a bit from either side) to allow any air to escape the sender.

jky

Nos4r2 · 04 March 2013, 18:06

Cheers guys.

I think I'll do without the N2k fuel sender, I was only considering it as I've got an LED fuel gauge at the moment which is quite bright and was going to replace it.

Pikey Dave · 04 March 2013, 18:06

Nos, if there's anyway to get the fuel data from the engine, that's the way I'd go. On the I-Command, you programme the size of your tank(s) into the system & tell it how many litres of fuel you have put in or if you have filled to the brim. The system then knows how much fuel it has. The engine supplies the system with constant data of how much fuel it has used (very accurate as it's the metering data from the emm/injectors) the system simply deducts the fuel used from the amount it started with & tell you how much is left. I find it accurate to the litre. I'm not sure what technology the Lowrance flow meter uses (paddle wheel?) but I can't see it being as acccurate as engine data. Paddle wheel sensors are notoriously inaccurate at low flows i.e tickover.