Fuel flow meter

[tonyjh63]

I'm toying with the idea of installing a fuel flow meter system to keep a better track of my fuel and most efficient running. I have a 1999 Bryant with 4.3 Mercruiser (carb). I've read of some kind of system that replaces the tach in the dash for the readout - that would be nice, but not 100% necessary. Anyone know the exact system components I'll need for this installation? Thanks!
Tony

 

[dingbat]

I'm toying with the idea of installing a fuel flow meter system to keep a better track of my fuel and most efficient running. I have a 1999 Bryant with 4.3 Mercruiser (carb). I've read of some kind of system that replaces the tach in the dash for the readout - that would be nice, but not 100% necessary. Anyone know the exact system components I'll need for this installation? Thanks!
Tony

The cheapest method is to simply add one to your existing combo unit/ chart plotter.

Having said that, fuel flow systems cost more than they save you.

 

[Silvertip]

I installed one on one of my boats years ago for testing purposes. In my view for the average short distance boater they are more a novelty than anything really useful. For someone boating longer distances they can be a valuable asset. 1) If you monitor fuel flow carefully you can determine the "sweet spot" for the throttle for any given load. 2) Once you establish what "relatively normal" fuel flow is for your rig you don't have to get very far from the dock to determine if there is a fuel consumption related issue. 3) It allows more precise calculation of time/distance/refuel scenarios. Nice to have, but not essential for most recreational boaters.

 

[tonyjh63]

Yeah, I realize that as a lake boater, a fuel flow monitor system is more a novelty than anything, but wanted to try it out anyway. I don't really have any existing electronic gizmos on my boat, so was wondering what kind of system I could install on a relatively primitive recreational boat. I thought there might be some kind of system that has a simple fuel flow meter installed in the fuel line, then sends the information to a monitor installed in the dash. Makes sense?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Accurate fuel flow meters are a few hundred clams. A search of boattest will give you a good idea of best fuel economy points.

However in the grand scheme of boating....take the boat out often, enjoy it

There is no "simple" flow meter, and if you are concerened about economy and boating, take up a different hobby such as racing

 

[dingbat]

A while back, NavMan made a 2100 series flow monitor. It was fairly inexpensive (@$250) but you needed a gps input for anything but raw fuel flow/used numbers.

Flow Scan makes a unit that fits your criteria but you could completely remodel your “primitive recreational boat” for the cost of the unit

Most of the major players have NMEA 2000 flow sensors that connect to a chart plotter / MFD to provide the functionality.

Adding on on to an existing unit is the cheapest way to go, but your still close to $300 when all is said and done.

Most the time, not knowing how much fuel your burning is a good thing...

 

[Silvertip]

The unit I had was the NavMan 2100 and it worked quite well except for one thing. The transducer was very delicate and needed to me mounted carefully to avoid vibration. The turbine wheel was easily damaged. The 2100 is no longer manufactured (at least to my knowledge).