old school diesel flow meters

Robg71

Robg71

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any recommendations, for fitment to a Garmin network or nmea. obviously need fuel supply and drain/return meters. is there a simple out the box solution to fitting flow meters to old school mechanical diesel motors.
 
The most important things are:

Keep 20% up your sleeve for emergencies

Know the size of your tanks and have an accurate fuel gauge , see http://improducts.co.uk/products/tank_gauges/ Tank tender accurate to within 1/4 inch of fuel

Monitor the burn rate of each tank and engine with a spread sheet

Know your range

Next time You are in Guernsey we can discuss.

I am dubious of fuel flow meters and running out.
 
The floscan look impressive, but the price ! Not sure the fuel saved would ever pay for the device install. Most accountants expect a payback after 3 years, and not sure these would do this in 8 or more, unless you are clocking serious hours.
 
I considered this on previous boat. In the end I settled on doing some long runs at different speeds, from full tanks and then filling up again. Calculated consumption that way. Current boat has built in fuel flow meters so you know all the time what you are burning - to be honest I think its better not to know all the time - it spoils the fun.
I settled on if I can see the fuel gauges actually move as I go along I'm going too fast ;-)
Just make sure you know how much fuel really is in your tanks when planing and they are reading 1/4 full. If you have a pump out tube or an inspection hatch on the tanks just stick a metal tape measure in and read the depth of diesel. Easy way to resolve any tank gauge issues too.
 
Robg71 said:
i was struggling to find a price, which may say it all really. cant see why a set of industrial flow meters should cost an arm and a leg.
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Floscan are the benchmark, nothing else compares. You have to remember that systems have to be tailored to individual installations so real difficult to nail a price off the internet.

Most sales of Floscan are in commercial sector which has transitioned to electronic engines, sales volume is dropping therefore pricing has increased over recent years.

Good stuff but $$$$$$$$
 
Robg71 said:
i would seriously doubt they would flow enough.
lab use maybe. but good idea.
i may speak to a few of the hydraulic brain cells at work. always worth a thought or two.
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Rob,

Inline diesel fuel pumps flow a significant amout of fuel, I would expect your Minimec pumps to be flowing around 56 gallons of fuel an hour, returning the majority to the the tank, however all depends on engine speed/load, the clever bit is the algorithim which can calculate actual fuel useage, not difficult, just fuel in, minus fuel out, difference is fuel burned.

Or bite the bullet and save money and put if towards a pair of QSB's infomation comes for free!
 
superheat6k said:
The floscan look impressive, but the price ! Not sure the fuel saved would ever pay for the device install. Most accountants expect a payback after 3 years, and not sure these would do this in 8 or more, unless you are clocking serious hours.
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I'm not looking for payback with mine, I see it more as a safety measure, particularly the range left (after dialling in a reserve) it is deadly accurate and the fuel show as used matches the fuel taken on to within 5 or so litres every time
 
David2452 said:
I'm not looking for payback with mine, I see it more as a safety measure, particularly the range left (after dialling in a reserve) it is deadly accurate and the fuel show as used matches the fuel taken on to within 5 or so litres every time
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Sight gauges too old fashioned?

John G
 
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