In line fuel flow meter

[Bigplumbs]

I have searched ebay and generally on the net but not much luck. I was wondering if anyone knows of a reasonably priced in line fuel flow meter to suit a rib.

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by Bigplumbs

I have searched ebay and generally on the net but not much luck. I was wondering if anyone knows of a reasonably priced in line fuel flow meter to suit a rib.

It's not going to happen. Way back in the eighties I had a 2.8i Ghia X Granada which had a physical flow meter but for years since ECU's were invented the flow is calculated mathematically. That's why if you have your diesel remapped and they increase the fuel rail pressure then the mpg calibration is off compared to brim-to-brim calculations.

For a smaller outboard with miniscule consumption and flow rates it would be hard to do technically and then probably no market potential for larger engines given how successful it would be. It would be best to get this kind of info from the engine ecu but the manufacturer would have to make that possible. Then for example with cars you can buy aftermarket Bluetooth OBD2 devices and read the data real time but then what?

Fuel burn per n/m would be impossible. Changing wheel diameter on a car changes the indicated speed and distance travelled, at least these metrics are static. With an outboard there are a variety of possible prop sizes and prop slippage to consider, also tidal currents.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Limecc

It's not going to happen....

For a smaller outboard with miniscule consumption and flow rates it would be hard to do technically and then probably no market potential for larger engines given how successful it would be. It would be best to get this kind of info from the engine ecu but the manufacturer would have to make that possible. Then for example with cars you can buy aftermarket Bluetooth OBD2 devices and read the data.

Fuel burn per n/m would be impossible. Changing wheel diameter on a car changes the indicated speed and distance travelled. With an outboard there are a variety of possible prop sizes and prop slippage to consider.

I'm afraid that's entirely incorrect:

1. The technology is available off the shelf as physical meters and loggers, not fuel burn calculators.
2. Most modern outboards from mid-size upwards are networkable and output fuel burn data that can be accessed by most modern plotters. These can present the data as a virtual tank level, L/hr, etc.
3. L/Nm is not impossible, just not particularly useful. Networked engines are displaying L/hr data on a device that is calculating speed over ground - so clearly easy enough to do. However, wildly fluctuating L/Nm data serves very little purpose.

Please don't take my input as personal criticism OR any attempt to encourage the OP!

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by willk

I'm afraid that's entirely incorrect:

Please don't take my input as personal criticism OR any attempt to encourage the OP!

Not at all and thanks for the correction. The engines and ecu's are the same as found in cars so the data is there. I realise it would take GPS to calculate distance so it's great if there is an interface between engine and plotter. I didn't know that.

[Limecc]

Duplicate post please delete

[Bigplumbs]

The engines I am talking about are old school with no ECU

[phantom 19]

The Yamaha fuel management system (6Y5) from early 2000s was excellent, they used to come with new Yamahas if dual rigging was specified. It works on any outboard, in line flow meter and separate lcd gauge which shows current fuel burn per hr and total, plus MPG if connected to a NMEA gps. I couldn’t live without mine.

They are sometimes on eBay as take outs when boats are rerigged with new engines.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Limecc

Not at all and thanks for the correction. The engines and ecu's are the same as found in cars so the data is there. I realise it would take GPS to calculate distance so it's great if there is an interface between engine and plotter. I didn't know that.

Here you go

[Bent Pedersen]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Here you go
Attachment 128779

Right. I use it in a digital formate in all my overlay. Perfect tool for trim optimisation.

[Tim M]

Very timely post as I was researching these only a few days ago.

Ten years ago there seemed to be a few options on the market. Navman did one, as did Faria:

http://www.navmanmarine.net/fuel-2100.html

https://www.jmsonline.net/digital-fu...system-597.htm

I did a pretty exhaustive search last week to find something for an outboard, but seemingly both of the above are now out of production and I haven't been able to track one down on the likes of ebay. I guess it could be something to do with the fact that, as per the above, most engines now output that data in NMEA format as a standard feature.

There is however one that's still on the market, designed really for larger engines (the 28m vessel I work on in fact has two, one connected to each main engine) but the 70000 series model can be set up for smaller outboards from 25hp. Currently out of stock on Amazon but Google and you'll be able to order somewhere (largely in the US). Not cheap at around $500 US. Also note the actual flow meter / sender unit for this is pretty big.

http://www.floscan.com/html/blue/ser...sid=17&catid=2

[Tim M]

Just did some more Googling and there is another option:

https://www.simrad-yachting.com/en-g...low-sensor-pk/

This claims to work on any NMEA network, so if you have a compatible plotter than it should be a simple case of connecting it up and bobs your uncle.

[Bushrider]

I ordered a flow meter from www.maretron.com/products/ffm100.php
for my Yanmar . The system is network compatible and the flowmeters are chosen according engine size/consumption .
Had no chance yet to install the system but read good comments from the other side of the pond .

[Manolism]

If you have a nmea 2000 network you can add this http://www.lowrance.eu/products/sens...l-flow-sensor/

[Bosi72]

Have you considered cheap meters from China / Ebay ? for example https://ebay.us/RDyYYy

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by Bosi72

Have you considered cheap meters from China / Ebay ? for example https://ebay.us/RDyYYy

Minimum flow rate 1077 litres/hr, not suited to small outboards.

Originally Posted by Manolism

If you have a nmea 2000 network you can add this http://www.lowrance.eu/products/sens...l-flow-sensor/

2.274 litres/hour minimum here might work?

[Bosi72]

Originally Posted by Limecc

Minimum flow rate 15 litres/min, not suited to small outboards.


0.0379 litres/min here might work?

ah didn't pay attention

[Chanchan168]

Originally Posted by Bigplumbs

I have searched ebay and generally on the net but not much luck. I was wondering if anyone knows of a reasonably priced in line fuel flow meter to suit a rib.

I’ve got a floscan gauge and in-line flow meter that I’ve taken out of my rib, that maybe ok for you.

Not sure if it works, but you can have it for free to see if you want? It’s going in the bin anyway

[Chanchan168]

Originally Posted by Chanchan168

I’ve got a floscan gauge and in-line flow meter that I’ve taken out of my rib, that maybe ok for you.



Not sure if it works, but you can have it for free to see if you want?

Looks like this but in L not gph

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by Chanchan168

Looks like this but in L not gph Attachment 128782

Pm sent - if the other chap doesn’t want it can I take it? Thanks

[Bigplumbs]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Pm sent - if the other chap doesn’t want it can I take it? Thanks

Feel free