So i'm looking to do some bigger trips and want to get a better idea of my fuel usage while I'm out. Does anyone know much about fuel sensors with a paddle wheel (older motor)? From what I can find Lowrance is the only one as navman and northstar are discontinued. I don't have a Lowrance sounder so it will be by its self if they work without a bigger unit, has anyone got one and anyone know what they cost for the sensor and gauge?
Not 100% on this but don't lowrance do a fuel flow meter that goes inline on your fuel line? Lmf200?? Don't know if you nmea to make it work????
That's what I was hoping for, little paddle wheel goes in your fuel line but I'm hoping I don't need a heap of other stuff with it considering the sensor alone is a few hundred.
Lowrance EP65r, and Garmin also makes a fuel flow device as well. Both are paddle wheel type that fits into fuel line.
Both are NMEA 2000 (N2K for short) devices - which means they will ONLY work when connected to a N2K network. So you need a N2K starter kit as well, about $70.
You then need a suitable GPS or sounder to connect to the network that can display the fuel info. Not all such devices can do this, so best check what you have first to make sure it is capable. Check owners manual.
Note to self: Don't argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience....
isnt the Lmf200 a gauge that shows the stuff without running n2k?Originally Posted by Moonlighter
The LMF-200 is a NMEA-2000 gauge. You would need the gauge, the sensor and a starter kit if that is the way you wish to go. It won't calculate economy without a speed input from either a GPS or water speed sensor but it will give litres per hour. You may be better off looking at something like a HDS5 for a display though as there have been some good deals due to new models.
Yes, the LMF200 will ONLY work when attached to a N2K network.
Many GPS/ sounders are N2K capable, you just have to check if your model can display fuel data from a N2K network.
If if yours is, then the simplest solution is:
1. Buy a N2K starter kit
2. Buy a EP65r or a GFS10 (Garmin)
3. Install the network on your boat - takes 20 minutes, easy!
4. instal the fuel sensor in the fuel line, between the filter and the engine and connect it to the network, as per it's instruction manual
5. Connect your sounder to the network with a simple N2K cable, you will have a spare one form the kit to do this. Go into the network menu and set up your boat fuel tank size.
Done. The fuel data will now display on your sounder/GPS screen. If it's connected to a GPS you will be able to get:
- fuel flow rate in l/hr
- fuel economy in km/l
- fuel used
- fuel remaining
You surely must have a GPS or Sounder/GPS combo on your boat? What make and model?
Note to self: Don't argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience....
I've got a humminbird 698 but i'm not fussed on having economy, l/hr, flow rate ect. I can do those on the fly just want to make sure I have a accurate count of what has left the tank. On the other hand might give me a half decent excuse to get a new sounder...
There's a cheap stand alone one on this site for $34.54, wouldn't use it on a diesel or efi bypass fuel system.
http://www.futurlec.com.au/Flow_Sensor.jsp
Had a Northstar a few years ago, took a while to warm up to work properly.
The Lowrance one is working OK
Maxwell is my deckie
Pity it doesn't appear that your 'bird has N2K capability.
So yes, a good excuse for a new one! Just don't be fooled when you look at them - some claim to have "advanced N2K capability" but in fact are very limited. So be sure to check that they can in fact display engine and fuel related data from a NMEA2000 network. Best to see one in demo mode and get them to show you this on the screen!
Note to self: Don't argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience....
I got the LMF 200 and it works without NMEA (although I do have this on my sounders/gps's)...you only get the paddle wheel readout but easy enough for one to do the simple consideration of usage V speed in any realtime. I had the Navman but it proved unreliable for me very quickly as it stopped reading real early and was grey import so no warrenty of value. The LMF I bought next (another grey) for whatever reason has keep working for years now...I trust it.
For instance...standard Yamaha prop 15p....direct from the dealers shelf on my 6m tinny 90hp yam 2 stroke......22L/H at 43km/h..., after getting the grinder and sandpaper out to redesign it....20L/H at same speed, trip and weight, also let a competent WOT to be then achievable which lets my engine last near forever in comparison to those lower in WOT...my trips are most often 110+km overall.
worth their weight in gold these fuel meters imo....nmea not strictly necessary.
Quote from the Lowrance LMF200 owners manual/instructions:
"This gauge will ONLY work with a NMEA2000 network. It MUST be connected to a NMEA2000 network or it WILL NOT function."
Note to self: Don't argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience....
How come??
my engine has zero NMEA capability...why has it worked for years already as a simple paddle wheel fuel usage meter (standard NMEA cabled/linked, obviously from paddle wheel as that is the cabling for all data transmission).
Did they change the specs this last 6 years...i hope not!..suspect everyday technical reading of criteria...ie NMEA cable of coarse needed because that is the standard data cabling from paddle to meter but no other special NMEA device/product necessary other than the contained in retail packaging paddle wheel for it to work as a fuel meter and tank usage meter...as I do.
Because the in line fuel flow sensor you are using is putting out the NMEA2000 data. NMEA2000 encompasses a lot more than just engines. There are all sorts of sensors that output data in NMEA2000 format
Not who you replied to so sorry if out of sync,
True I could buy the 200 and fit it in line with any non return engine ever made and see the real-time use-age, ie my 19 year old patrol 4.2 diesel 4wd or my Kabota 5hp lawn mower even..chainsaw too, whipper snipper also. all it needs in any non-pre-forced/returned fossil fuel engine (if you get what I mean) to read real-time fuel usage,,,, as is was the op question being a non return non NMEA engine is entirely contained in the original retail packaging but will never get the added info as my current boat cannot...do you disagree? Interested to know why if applicable, probably is not.
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