Diesel fuel flow sensor for NMEA ??

[Fatenhappy]

G'day all .....

Anyone got any suggestions on where and if there's a sensibly priced fuel flow sensor that can link up for diesel with an NMEA setup ???

Glad to hear it if you do !!!

Cheers
Greg

[Grand_Marlin]

G'day Greg,

As far as I know the only decent available diesel meters are from Floscan.
These will set you back nearly 3 grand.

Cheers

Pete

[Fatenhappy]

Hence why I ask the question Pete as I didn't know of any others either....

I am guessing the restricted market for these is akin to the controlling monopoly that oil companies have on fuel.

These are not that complicated as we use similar for light aircraft that use Avtur (aviation grade diesel) - albeit they are not NMEA compliant either, but rather just a straight fuel flow jobby)

I think the next port of call if I can't come up with something sensible from the marine industry, will be to investigate something via work (aviation) and adapt that as 3 grand is insanity. The only variation there could be what's known as the "K" factor which relates to the density of the fuel which is used when computing fuel flow rates etc.

[Horse]

Let us all know if you come up with another option. It would have to take into account the return line flow

[Fatenhappy]

Yeh I will horse, no probs but the way things are going it probably won't be an NMEA compatible unit.

As most would know, traditionally from more modern diesel powered engines all manner of information can and is fed from the ECU (engine control unit), including fuel flow.

I've been mulling/researching this for quite some time but without a result.

A a simple example, Nomad aircraft used to use a fuel flow transducer that simply hooked up to a fuel flow guage ... nothing to hard in that. Once it was calibrated bobs your uncle.

I must admit I haven't asked the question of Lowrance or other manufacturers as to why they don't do an NMEA unit either as to my thinking everything else is there, just the density of the fuel being diferent......Besides, I'm pretty hesitant approaching their technical staff as l haven't found them to "with it" when querying a couple of problems in the past eg. an LCX 20 wasn't NMEA compliant ... but I'll leave those alone here!!

If anyone has the "good oil" on this I sure would like to know as there has to be a market out there for these.

Cheers
Greg