Fuel Flowmeters on sale

[corrirod]

For those of you interested in adding a flowmeter to your boat, the Navman unit is on sale at one of our local stores for $149.99, regular $199. It is listed in their catalog they just mailed out.

If you need to know which store just send me a PM as I'm not sure I can post it.

[tracker]

I wonder how diffacult that meter is to put on?

[corrirod]

It's a piece of cake Tracker, in fact I'm helping Liquid Asset put one on his Trophy on Sunday. Really, the hardest part is figuring out where/how you want to mount the display. Other than that it's easy.

[corrirod]

Actually I don't think I'm violating any sponsors since none of them carry these items so for those interested they are in the Boatersworld catalog. I'm not sure how many the local store has in stock so call before you go or order them online.

[ICHTHYDEMON]

So how long do you figure it would take to install one in an open sled? I'm pretty mechanically inclined,I do all the maintanance on our vehicles.

[corrirod]

It's really simple. The hardest part is figuring out where to mount the display. Other than that all you do is: <ul type="square">[*] Plumb the transducer into your fuel line somewhere before your motor(s) and after a filter.[*]Run the cable to your display and plug it in.[*]Connect your power and ground wires and plug those into the display.[*]And your done.[/list]
Couple things to remember though:
<ul type="square">[*]If you want the flowmeter to work during your kicker motor use you will need to make sure the flowmeter is "powered on" during that usage. Thus if you have the power wired to your ignition switch you will need the ignition to remain on in order for the flowmeter to work. In most cases you will use such a small amount of fuel that you wouldn't need to even worry about it but just keep it in mind.[*]You must put the transducer after a filter. That flowmeter is a very small orifice and you need to make sure particles do not get stuck within the unit. It doesn't have to be anything more than an inline filter but just make sure there is something there.[*]If you would rather not cut-out a hole to mount the display, you can go to just about any autoparts store and purchase a mounting bracket for less than $5-$10. The display is a standard DIN size used for most tachometers and small auto gauges.[*]Once installed you will need to calibrate the unit which simply involves burning a set amount of fuel and adjusting the readout on the display to match your usage.[/list]
On the "things I need to buy if I plan to travel offshore" list, this item ranks pretty darn high. It's worth every penny.

Are the ones for twin gas engines on sale too?

[Popeye]

Lee....It just takes one per side :grin:

[skein]

On the "things I need to buy if I plan to travel offshore" list, this item ranks pretty darn high. It's worth every penny.

You're right about that! The fuel gauge on most boats is practically worthless, but the flowmeter gives you nearly true readings on fuel used, fuel remaining, etc. Plus you can make adjustments to your rpm/trim/speed to maximize distance covered per gallons burned. That's really important as you fill the boat up with tuna and then head for home.

A must have!!!

Skein

[Mr. Fisherman]

Flowmeter.... I still need to wire in another bilge pump....

[Gus Orviston]

Get one and you will most likely never trust your fuel gauge again. They are really worth every penny, and take guess work out of the equation

gus

Popeye,
D'oh I thought I saw one that had one gage and two sending units. We are space restricted on out little 28' boat.

[Popeye]

Keta...You CAN use one guage...you just have to put a switch in to change back and forth

Good idea, thanks.

[Pilar]

Skein, as a gas gauge the flowmeter is pretty useful. But as a running economy meter is where it really shines. You can make some pretty minor adjustments to trim and/or speed and get an instant drop in the burn rate.

We installed the Flo-Scan after using one on NorRivDave's Pursuit. He is running a 454 chevy (175 Gallon fuel cell, ouch) and needs it. The install on 'Kismet' was kind of a pain as the fuel system has to be set up a certain way. You can't install the sensor between the engine mounted fuel filter and the engine driven pump. And the fuel has to go uphill after going through the sensor. So you end up moving the fuel filter somewhere else. Only used it twice and never adjusted it. On the 1st TUNA! trip on 'Kismet' we burned 85 gallons and the meter read 84.1. Pretty close. That's about 0.141 TUNA! per gallon, gotta work on that.

I was able to knock the burn rate from 18 to 15 by moving one of my riders to the forward berth. Your mileage may vary and some trim is not automatic.

[CrazyFish]

On the 1st TUNA! trip on 'Kismet' we burned 85 gallons and the meter read 84.1. Pretty close.

Remember that studies have shown that not all gas station pumps are calibrated correctly, so your meter could be 100% acurrate with it that close.

[Gus Orviston]

I think in my bro's boat he had it down to .5 gal in 105, or something there abouts. After burning one tuna trip and near shore coho run he drained out the last remaining fuel to verify. very very nice.

gus

[KEITH]

I installed the navman 3100 on the sea ray with 2 chev 350 using a dual kit it will tell me mpg for each or combined along with flow rate fuel used from each tank and remaining fuel combined or each tank total cost was $370.00 after burning 172 gal by the meter it took 169.5 gal to fill the tanks.

Keith

[tracker]

Just bought one. Thet look very easy to put in. Simple operation too. Looks like about 2 to 3 hours should have it in. Maybe less. Will let all know!

[tracker]

Just put the thing in and it seems ok. Seems to be working at idle. Will know beter when i can get it out for a run. Maybe if the water lays down a bit i can harrass the halibut off Vancuver island. took about three hours to put it in.

[crabbait]

No thinks, Nick. No one is interested in your argument.

[Bait O' Eggs]

I went to pick up my fuel flow meter today to find out they stock one at the portland store and it sold yesterday. I had to pay for one and it should be in, in about a week.

They did have the model in stock for 2 motors, one brain and 2 flow meter devices.

I cut holes in the dash today for the key switch, trim guage, tach, indicator lights, and each time I felt like I was about to screw up something. One more hole for the fuel flow meter and I will be down to switches which are a little easier and smaller, less painful when it comes to cutting holes in the boat. I currently have approx a million, maybe more loose wires and have no idea which ones attach where. I have few wiring diagrams, anybody know what those electrical symbols are?? I got an upside down pagoda attaching to a sqiggly line which attaches to a dog in a box, which attaches to a circle with a slash, and somewhere between the upside down pagoda and the squiggly line, there is another wire that ties back around to what looks like an outhouse with an X on it after it goes thru a blender looking thingy That is the first 2 wires, a little less than a million to figure out after those :tongue:

What was I thinkin

How many more days till the tuna are here?? :shocked:

[NorthRiverRick]

BOE,

I got that one on Saturday. :grin: They have the same sale online and with orders over $100, shipping is FREE.

They'll deliver it to you while you're trying to decipher those high tech hieroglyphics

Rick

[DriftR]

Are Flow Scan and Nav man comparable? I know that Flo Scan has simple units, units with tach and engine hours then units with Tack, engine hours and GPS. Anybody have a comparison between the two lower units just showing fuel flow for Navman and FloScan other than price? If I'm not mistaken I think FloScan is manu up in Seattle. How about installtion of either unit? Any input from guys who own Flo Scan?

[Pilar]

BOE, you're killin me. Maybe you and Puffin should get together and work on the wiring.

[Pilar]

Driftr, I got the FloScan 32 gallon per hour model. What sold me was the big analog meter. For me anyway the needle type meter is much easier to read than a rapidly changing digital display. It has a three inch face and a needle that indicates the flow rate. In the bottom of the meter is a small LCD window showing total gallons used.

The flow sensor is a turbine wheel type and it appears to be well made. This is pretty reliable and accurate technology and I use it extensively on steam systems that I design controls for.

So all that's left is price and how long will it last? About $300. NorRivDave's is working with no worries and mine is only a few months old so the jury is still out.

Don't know about the more involved Tach/hour meter combos.

[DriftR]

Pilar,
Thanks, I'll look into those.

[slabhunter]

Thanks for the heads-up! I ordered one online. It should pay for itself rather quickly with the price of fuel these days.

[Bridge Dog]

Thanks for the info!!

I have been depresed since I can't go fishing but spending money always seems to help. I have been wanting to install a flow meter on my new boat and this seems to be a good place to start. Just ordered one on line so I will have something to do a couple of weeks from now.

P.S. I heard there was a salty dog in Klamath Falls which is where I am working so if anyone knows who, I could use some local company. Building bridges this far from the coast is not my idea of a good time

[San Anita]

, Yep, Did it' works great and easy to install.
Thanks corirod for the advice! Gus's Bro,
San Anita Bill

[Pilar]

That'd be Keta, he likes sheep or so I've heard. Great guy and good company.

[uboatcdr]

I just called the local dealer, They sold out yesterday :depressed:.
But they wrote my name down and said when they get more in they would call and get it for the sale price , Even if it is after the sale but you have to call them.