Is there a way to measure fuel flow on a diesel engine?

[GrahamHR]

Will the Volvo stuff interface with a MFD so can be displayed there?

That's an interesting suggestion; I think it probably will. Time to get the EVC, fishfinder and chartplotter installation manuals out ! I remember reading in the EVC manual something about an interface module that can be fitted.

There's no room on my boat to fit an additional VP display unfortunately.

 

[OceanD]

As a newcomer to the Marine World & in particular the Yanmar 4LHA, I stumbled o this thread and would like to offer this link to a rather useful article from SEAFISH http://www.seafish.org/media/publications/fs25_03_09_fuel_flow_meters_incl_turnkey.pdf
which compares a number of flow metering options. We picked the rather accurate & not too costly (±£500 for 1 engine) OVAL positive displacement meter for flows up to 50 l/hour which for us was 100-200HP range.

The trick to using only one meter comes with the caveat that fuel heats up when you re-arrange the return from the tank to a short loop so best to have some other cooling on hand.

 

[Trundlebug]

I did come across these sensors a while ago and bookmarked the page, but as you said the maths of working out one minus the other and providing a readout remain. (Scroll down to petrol / diesel sensor)
http://www.futurlec.com/Flow_Sensor.shtml

I would have thought it would be an ideal project for someone with a raspberry pi or similar though?
The readout certainly wouldn't be difficult to get hold of at a reasonable price.

 

[vas]

it's on my to do list for NMEA2K output using an arduino due or mega, s/w wise it's nothing, getting the right sensors is a slight issue
I have bookmarked a dozen different sensors (just sensors) and once I have some time will evaluate and get a couple for testing. Problem is it's not like 50euro to try it out, it can be 500euro for a test, and I'm not so keen tbh unless I know they work.
Dumpers have not been discussed as well, certain types of sensors would rather have something smoothing the pulses infront of them (an extra cost...)

we shall see

V.

 

[wonky]

A pal of mine has one of the Navman ones if anyone needs any spare parts for it. Pm me.

 

[David2452]

Will the Volvo stuff interface with a MFD so can be displayed there?

Indeed it will but you may need a J1939 to N2K bridge. I have the VP one but they are available also from Maretron and others. I have mine hooked to a Garmin GPSMap and it gives loads of engine related info including MPG over the ground using the Garmin's GPS

 

[pks1702]

This might be familiar David