Fuel Flow Meter

[captainmike]

Anyone installed a fuel flow meter on their V? Before offshore season kicks in I want to get one installed and am interested in whatever advise anyone has on these. My only experience with them has been the systems on the OSV's I ran in the Gulf, certainly not what I'd be putting on a 20-footer. My 200 Yami's gonna chug some fuel and I need to keep tight reigns on that when I venture out later this season. I like this one here. All the functionality plus a big clear display.

http://www.saltysmarine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=84_120_22&products_id=2396

[bigshrimpin]

I put one on a long time ago when I owned my v20. 1988 200 Yamaha got about 2.8mpg @ 4000 rpm 31mph (11gph) 17P prop if I remember correctly.

[captainmike]

that's pretty good! I just topped it off and ran it about 3 hours but haven't topped it off yet to see what I burned. Hoping to bet about 2 1/2 - 3 mpg at cruise, but that's optimistic given I'm running a 200 vs. a 150.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

If your electronics support NMEA 2000, Garmin makes a unit to plug to your network and see it on your display head unit.

[THEFERMANATOR]

I tried one of the newer LOWRANCE units and the sensors kept failing everytime I hit a wave that was more than 2 feet tall. Went through 2 of them and then I switched to a NORTHSTAR and it only lasted 1 trip before it did the same thing. Got another one and it made it 3 trips before it quit working. I had a old FLOWSCAN awhile back though and it worked all the time no matter what and was scary accurate. If I ever buy another one it will be a FLOWSCAN as I believe you get what you pay for in this area.

[bigshrimpin]

I tried one of the newer LOWRANCE units and the sensors kept failing everytime I hit a wave that was more than 2 feet tall. Went through 2 of them and then I switched to a NORTHSTAR and it only lasted 1 trip before it did the same thing. Got another one and it made it 3 trips before it quit working. I had a old FLOWSCAN awhile back though and it worked all the time no matter what and was scary accurate. If I ever buy another one it will be a FLOWSCAN as I believe you get what you pay for in this area.

X2 . . . Ferm your carbs went out today. Sorry I totally forgot until MJ reminded me.

[macojoe]

For me its easy, I have 100 gal gas, I have never used more the 30 gals of gas and I have gone some long ways!! Now with a new 4 stroke i never going to worrie unless I head for Europe!

[captainmike]

Ferm - is what you had something like this one here?

http://www.floscan.com/html/blue/seriesdetail.php?sid=11

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I had those Flo scan on a previous diesel i had. Worked great all the time with no errors.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Ferm - is what you had something like this one here?

http://www.floscan.com/html/blue/seriesdetail.php?sid=11

Mine was just like that except it only measured to 20GPH. I wish I would have never have sold it because it worked great, although they are pricey.

[THEFERMANATOR]

X2 . . . Ferm your carbs went out today. Sorry I totally forgot until MJ reminded me.

No biggie, I've been swamped working on other peoples stuff I haven't had time to even touch my own stuff.

[captainmike]

Was it fairly simple to install?

[evilgli]

i have a lowrance head unit that supports nmea 2000. so i just added a lowrance ep-60r fuel flow sensor to it.. it was simple.. cut your fuel line and install sensor.. plug and play between the sensor and the head unit.. has been on for 6 moths and have had no problems with it.. been offshore 45 miles with it 2 times so far.. and several river and bay runs..

i noticed you have a hpdi 200 yamaha.. that engine should be very fuel friendly.. depending on what prop your running, but at cruise on that engine i would imagine you would only burn 8 or so gallons a hour.. ferm would know better numbers for that engine

[captpete13]

captainmike, if you have Yamaha digital guages why not get a yamaha fuel management guage? I have one on my boat. It is very accurate and it will match your other guages.

[whale]

i have a lowrance head unit that supports nmea 2000. so i just added a lowrance ep-60r fuel flow sensor to it.. it was simple.. cut your fuel line and install sensor.. plug and play between the sensor and the head unit.. has been on for 6 moths and have had no problems with it.. been offshore 45 miles with it 2 times so far.. and several river and bay runs..


I also have a Lowrance EP-60 and it was very easy. It will display info right on your Lowrance GPS or Depth sounder but I picked up an LMF-200 gauge to display fuel usage.

[captainmike]

I love the idea of the Yamaha gauge but it's pricing in at over $600

[captpete13]

if you want I could probably put together a kit for you out of my personal stockpile. I will check when I get to work on Monday.