Fuel Flow meters

[biglurr54]

Im looking at installing a fuel flow meter instead of trying to calibrate my sending unit. It seams like a much more reliable system and it will ave a ton in gas in the long run. The only thing is they are so expensive. I see that Lowrance makes a universal guage that you just hook up a sending unit to and it will give you the info. Has anyone used these.

http://www.iboats.com/Lowrance-LMF-...7526114--**********.428995990--view_id.361223

http://www.iboats.com/Lowrance-Ep-6...7526114--**********.428995990--view_id.356361

For $250 it supposedly works like a fuel flow meter. Does anyone have any experience with these or are there other cheap fuel flow meters. I want one that says how much fuel has been used and how much remains and current rate of use.

 

[RJ17]

Re: Fuel Flow meters

I am considering a fuel flow meter/guage as well. (@biglurr54- we have similar vintage boats and engines. My Evinrude is also an '89 VRO but a 140.)

Looking at the the links that you provided I like the look and the functionality of this gauge. Two links with slightly better pricing (only a bit better but since the link from iboats says only 1 left I thought it might help).

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Lowr...n+Gauge.html?gclid=CN6Lv6_e4qkCFYrb4AodjhjSYw

http://www.boatersmarinesupply.com/...ompact-multi-function-gauge-w-out-sensor.html

I am curious in general regarding fuel flow meters. Do they help in maximizing fuel efficiency? I am assuming that a good one will allow you to correlate speed with fuel consumption and will allow you to calculate a miles per gallon or gallons per hour rate so that you can find the most efficient throttle for your engine?

Also, I wonder if you have a Lowrance GPS/Chartplotter (I'm looking at the HDS-5) whether you can hook this up to the display of the GPS? Or if you would even need this gauge and just run the meter to the GPS?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fuel Flow meters

Im looking at installing a fuel flow meter instead of trying to calibrate my sending unit.

I'm guessing you bought a lever type sending unit. Buy a reed type sender @ $70 and not only do you eliminate those wild fuel level fluxations, there is no calibration required. Drop it in the tank and go.

BTW: You have to calibrate the Lowrance meters as well. After that you have to enter the amount of fuel you put in the tank each time to get fuel levels and distance till empty.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Fuel Flow meters

If you're gonna spend $250, for a few dollars more, you can get a quality Floscan 5500 Cruisemaster. They're the standard when it comes to fuel flow systems. Easy to install, and will give you instant GPH, and a total of gallons burned. No calibrating necessary, and does not use the sending unit for any of it's info. Just be sure to get the right unit for your motor. Check ebay.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Fuel Flow meters

I have a FloScan unit on my boat. Works exceptionally well and appears to be over 95% accurate. GPH usage and total gallons burned. When you refill, you reset the LCD readout to '0' with a push button switch.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Fuel Flow meters

I have the NMEA version of the Lowrance. It works well with my HDS head unit.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Fuel Flow meters

I have used the Lowrance LMF-200 with fuel flow and speed senders for 3 seasons. It's better than 99% accurate for fuel flow. Planning to add a water temperature sender this year.