Fuel flow meter

[onevalkyrie]

I've heard somewhere on here about fuel flow meters and was wondering where to get one? And:
1. What do they cost
2. How accurate are they
3. How difficult are they to hook up
4. Where do they read out; at the engine or is there a remote read out to mount at the dash or what

[dogbert]

About $200. Mine was great for a while, but it's real sensitive to good grounding and now it's not working so well. It also says to mount it 20" away from a radio, which was a problem for me.

It wasn't hard to hook up. You will need to buy and additional 3/8" fuel filter to put in front of the flow meter. It comes with a gauge. Get the Faria Fuel Flow Manager to match the rest of your gauges.

My project this winter is to get mine working accurately again.

[chadster2]

I've heard somewhere on here about fuel flow meters and was wondering where to get one? And:
1. What do they cost
2. How accurate are they
3. How difficult are they to hook up
4. Where do they read out; at the engine or is there a remote read out to mount at the dash or what

1 few hundred
2 mine is right on when I go to the pump if it says 28 gallons it means
more than 27 less than 29
3 pd some one to do it. It's important to get it vertical and they didn't
the first time
4 dash

[R&T Babich]

We put a Faria Flow Manager (replaced the ticking clock) on ours last year and love it. After a minor calibration it measures great. It requires a fuel filter between the sensor and the fuel tank so I added a second fuel/water separator near the tank. I couldn't easily insert the sensor in the line after the engine mounted water separator. The engine mounted separator is difficult to get to so the 2nd one near the tank is another plus, because it is really easy to reach.

[onevalkyrie]

Thanks guys I think I can find one with the info. u have provided.

[Original Wing Nut]

A quick note for guys with the PCM motor the faria fuel flow meter will not work. My PCM motor has a high pressure fuel pump with a return line to the tank. I had to get a different meter from FLoscan. I was more, but I love it and it works great with the PCM motor.

[samw]

I know a fuel flow meter is to have a better idea of what you have in your take but I still not sure how they really work? Could you all explain a bit?

[R&T Babich]

... I still not sure how they really work? Could you all explain a bit?

The system works just like a gas station fuel pump to tell you how many gallons have gone by the sensor.
The flow sensor unit is about 4" long and is spliced into the low pressure fuel line. It probably uses a paddle wheel inside the sensor. A 2" gauge with an LCD readout displays the total gallons used since the last time the gauge was zeroed. I think there are other optional displays, depends on the gauge, such as entering total gallons and the gauge will subtract from that amount for the display. Mine includes an alarm when a set number of gallons remaining is reached. The gauge requires power and ground and there is a cable from the sensor to the gauge. The sensor needs to be mounted inline vertically which limits available locations. Mine is mounted just before the factory fuel/water separator where the line is vertical. Our engine's high pressure fuel return line is to the fuel filter base. The gauge instructions recommend a filter between the gauge and the fuel tank. You do have to remember to reset the gauge back to zero at some point.

[samw]

The system works just like a gas station fuel pump to tell you how many gallons have gone by the sensor.
The flow sensor unit is about 4" long and is spliced into the low pressure fuel line. It probably uses a paddle wheel inside the sensor. A 2" gauge with an LCD readout displays the total gallons used since the last time the gauge was zeroed. I think there are other optional displays, depends on the gauge, such as entering total gallons and the gauge will subtract from that amount for the display. Mine includes an alarm when a set number of gallons remaining is reached. The gauge requires power and ground and there is a cable from the sensor to the gauge. The sensor needs to be mounted inline vertically which limits available locations. Mine is mounted just before the factory fuel/water separator where the line is vertical. Our engine's high pressure fuel return line is to the fuel filter base. The gauge instructions recommend a filter between the gauge and the fuel tank. You do have to remember to reset the gauge back to zero at some point.

Thanks
That helps. Where is a good place to get one. I know my gauge dosen't read very well. Once it gets close to a half tank it then starts to read eradic. Sometimes half sometimes close to E....

[Eastern shore wake]

I just boght a Lowrance Fuel flow meter (LMF 200) at Boatersland.com for $120.00. This includes the guage and the sensor. I shopped around and this seemed like a good price. I have to get an extension (10 ft comes with it) which will probably cost me another $20 some dollars. I will putting it in next week. Cannot wait as my fuel guage has been pretty worthless and after 3 years of guessing right this summer I ran out of luck and (murphy's law) ran out of fuel with guests on board, out in the chespeake bay in the middle of the week with no other boats around, and, with a big strom rolling in. It all ended Ok but look forward to never having this situation happen again!

Eastern Shore Wake

[hoppas]

You are right, normal flow sensors do use a paddle wheel, which is why the fuel filter is so important - a little scrap of junk could get lodged in the wheel and stop it from turning.

Mine is accurate to within a gallon every time I fill up. It's so much better than my fuel gauge ever was. I mounted it vertically on the divider between the engine and port storage area and have never had a problem.

I know it's been said here many times, but use double hose clamps on the fuel lines if you can, run the blower a lot, and keep an eye on it for leaks!

[R&T Babich]

... after 3 years of guessing right this summer I ran out of luck and (murphy's law) ran out of fuel ...

You do carry a spare 2 gal of gas don't you?

One time our old boat had a steering cable with a hernia and had to be towed back to the dock as it would only turn right. My friend's boat ran out of gas towing us just short of the 5 mph. Our other friend's jet ski ran out gas pulling us in tandem inside the 5 mph, but switched to reserve and got us both back. Made a great pic. I had 20 gal of gas in the tank with no way to get it out. I added an aux fuel pump on our 21V with 10' of hose so I can empty the tank if needed, prime the filters or give someone a couple of gallons. I also have a spare 2 gal gas can.

[Eastern shore wake]

Ok...you are right. Probably should. Was not a good feeling seeing a pretty good sized thunder storm heading right at us as we drifted without gas.

[teachercop]

I am unclear as to the placement of the gauge? Is it common to place the gauge in the dash cluster?

[dogbert]

I am unclear as to the placement of the gauge? Is it common to place the gauge in the dash cluster?

That's where mine is.