Fuel flow gauges- novelty or useful? - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  Fuel flow gauges- novelty or useful?

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Fuel flow gauges- novelty or useful?

mustang7nh posted 05-11-2003 09:01 PM ET (US)
I have 1997 225 EFI, would a flowscan or smart gauge (if it will work on that year) be worth the effort and money to add? I do alot of cruising and was wondering if knowing the fuel rate would be helpful in maximizing economy. Or is the rule of thumb: more rpm equal more fuel good enough.
Dick posted 05-11-2003 09:20 PM ET (US)
I wouldn't waste my money.
More RPM means more fuel usage so I would make some test runs using a 6 gallon tank and find the best cruising RPM.
Dick
John from Madison CT posted 05-12-2003 07:11 AM ET (US)

The Navman Fuel Flow Meter was probably the best $150 I ever spent on my boat.
It reads GPH, Tank Volume, Trip Volume and a running Total. It also has settable alarms to warn you of low fuel.
It is far more accurate than the gauge on your tank itself. I know within a couple of gallons what is in my tank.
Also, the GPH feature will also tell you the most efficient cruise speed for your boat.
The Navman is worth every penny, and is head and shoulders a better value than the Flowscan unit.
For more info, go to : www.thehulltruth.com where they discuss this unit and others at length. (do a subject search)

Good Luck,
John
Backlash posted 05-12-2003 08:12 AM ET (US)
I agree with John. I just installed the Standard Fuel Flow gauge - $189 less $75 mail in rebate (rebate expired end of April) - same gauge as the Navman.
I installed this primarily to get an accurate reading on how much fuel remained in my tank since my electronic fuel gauge has always been very inaccurate.
I now know precisely how much fuel I have and how many gallons per hour (GPH) I'm using at various speeds.
Very simple installation; sensor goes in your fuel line, the gauge goes in a 2" diameter hole in dash, connect power (1 amp fuse) and sensor to gauge.
BTW - the Navman and Standard will not work if your EFI engine has a fuel return line to the gas tank. Not sure about the $300 Flow Scan gauge.
Well worth the money.
bsmotril posted 05-12-2003 09:55 AM ET (US)
I do a lot of trolling 40-50 miles offshore and find the gauges very useful. I have a Floscan, and it is great for telling me when it is time to head in and still have adequate reserves should the weather turn rough. Merc EFI and DFI engines don't have a return to the tank. They have a vapor separator under the cowl where the fuel is returned to, cooled, and re-used.
BillS
BKANE posted 05-12-2003 06:10 PM ET (US)
For some of the same reasons listed above ie True amount left in tank, and cruise range. I just installed a Navman fishfinder with flow gauge. It is really a hand rig so far. Plus there is always the toy factor. Brendan
Bill C posted 05-12-2003 08:12 PM ET (US)
Am finally getting My Navman permanently installed. My boat is a 15 SS LTD so, because the fuel tank is behind me covered by the drop down platform, is particularly useful for me. Mechanical gauges are very inaccurate in unbaffeled tanks because of fuel sloshing around when underway. The alarm feature is great. Easy to be out crusing or fishing and forget your fuel supply. I always carry a 3 - 5 gal. supply of extra fuel just in case. The meter is a great backup to a retired memory ( hope Big doesn't see this).

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Fuel flow gauges- novelty or useful?
mustang7nh	posted 05-11-2003 09:01 PM ET (US) I have 1997 225 EFI, would a flowscan or smart gauge (if it will work on that year) be worth the effort and money to add? I do alot of cruising and was wondering if knowing the fuel rate would be helpful in maximizing economy. Or is the rule of thumb: more rpm equal more fuel good enough.
Dick	posted 05-11-2003 09:20 PM ET (US) I wouldn't waste my money. More RPM means more fuel usage so I would make some test runs using a 6 gallon tank and find the best cruising RPM. Dick
John from Madison CT	posted 05-12-2003 07:11 AM ET (US) The Navman Fuel Flow Meter was probably the best $150 I ever spent on my boat. It reads GPH, Tank Volume, Trip Volume and a running Total. It also has settable alarms to warn you of low fuel. It is far more accurate than the gauge on your tank itself. I know within a couple of gallons what is in my tank. Also, the GPH feature will also tell you the most efficient cruise speed for your boat. The Navman is worth every penny, and is head and shoulders a better value than the Flowscan unit. For more info, go to : www.thehulltruth.com where they discuss this unit and others at length. (do a subject search) Good Luck, John
Backlash	posted 05-12-2003 08:12 AM ET (US) I agree with John. I just installed the Standard Fuel Flow gauge - $189 less $75 mail in rebate (rebate expired end of April) - same gauge as the Navman. I installed this primarily to get an accurate reading on how much fuel remained in my tank since my electronic fuel gauge has always been very inaccurate. I now know precisely how much fuel I have and how many gallons per hour (GPH) I'm using at various speeds. Very simple installation; sensor goes in your fuel line, the gauge goes in a 2" diameter hole in dash, connect power (1 amp fuse) and sensor to gauge. BTW - the Navman and Standard will not work if your EFI engine has a fuel return line to the gas tank. Not sure about the $300 Flow Scan gauge. Well worth the money.
bsmotril	posted 05-12-2003 09:55 AM ET (US) I do a lot of trolling 40-50 miles offshore and find the gauges very useful. I have a Floscan, and it is great for telling me when it is time to head in and still have adequate reserves should the weather turn rough. Merc EFI and DFI engines don't have a return to the tank. They have a vapor separator under the cowl where the fuel is returned to, cooled, and re-used. BillS
BKANE	posted 05-12-2003 06:10 PM ET (US) For some of the same reasons listed above ie True amount left in tank, and cruise range. I just installed a Navman fishfinder with flow gauge. It is really a hand rig so far. Plus there is always the toy factor. Brendan
Bill C	posted 05-12-2003 08:12 PM ET (US) Am finally getting My Navman permanently installed. My boat is a 15 SS LTD so, because the fuel tank is behind me covered by the drop down platform, is particularly useful for me. Mechanical gauges are very inaccurate in unbaffeled tanks because of fuel sloshing around when underway. The alarm feature is great. Easy to be out crusing or fishing and forget your fuel supply. I always carry a 3 - 5 gal. supply of extra fuel just in case. The meter is a great backup to a retired memory ( hope Big doesn't see this).