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FUEL FLOW SENSOR

kevin_z

kevin_z

Regular Contributor
I have a 1995 Trojan 350exp wi

I have a 1995 Trojan 350exp with same year Crusader 454XL MSTS inboards (V-drives). I installed a Garmin GPS 4208 and a option for the Garmin is a GFS 10 fuel flow sensor. It looks like you cut the fuel line and install the sensor (Paddle wheel) and your fuel flow will show up on the GPS screen. Does it work?? OPINOINS????
 
"Kevin:

I'll defer to A

"Kevin:

I'll defer to AL as he has them installed if I remember correctly.

I've done one and the only part you left out is the network cable hookup. i seem to remember a configuration option about units but can't swear to it.

I've never heard of any complaints, if the install is done ok. Again, I'd expect AL's opinion to carry more weight as an 'owner' and 'user'"
 
"Thanks Mark, yes the network

"Thanks Mark, yes the network cable goes from the sensor to the head unit. My main concern is will the sensor get clogged? or restrict fuel flow?"
 
Mark is right. You will need

Mark is right. You will need to supply a power source to the network preferably one that would be switchable or the drain on batteries is minimal but still a drain and the on/off is recommended by Garmin.


They are TERRIFIC... The best option I have installed so far.. NEVER had any 3/8 fuel line restrictions and or clogs of any kind... We have the original fuel canister filters from the tanks to the in-line filters Garmin supplies and then racors in the engine compartment. My service life from the original in-line filters was 2 years of every weekend use between May and October the 1 st year and a little less the 2nd year. I put in new in-line filters when we hauled out in November 2009.

Your description is almost that simple. Getting the network terminated properly and doing the simple math required for the drop lines of the network si all you will need but it is very well explained in the instructions

Our display (4212) has all four corners of the unit with information and the bottom strip between the corners is the fuel data...You have othe roptions also...Good Luck...I love ours
 
My Navman fuel flow sensor req

My Navman fuel flow sensor requires a filter before it. I don't think it would clog unless you didn't have a filter between it and the fuel tank. Fuel flow read out is great thing to have. Most engine hull combinations have a point where fuel consumption starts climbing much faster than speed.
 
I installed these sensors on m

I installed these sensors on my Four Winns 454 engines. I twisted the fuel lines in my installation trying to get them in a vertical orientation. Big mistake. The twisting restricted the fuel flow causing the sensors to give jerky indications. I reinstalled the sensors with a 45 degree orientation and they work great.
 
Enough said. Thanks AL. I wil

Enough said. Thanks AL. I will order two today and keep you updated on the install/performance.
 
"Kevin

You will really see

"Kevin

You will really see some interesting information...my eyes REALLY opened when I saw 48 gph at 4200 rpm ! The odometer function is unusual data as well but you will see it ALL, once you get it up an running"
 
"Al is correct, but he forgot

"Al is correct, but he forgot to add my usual comment: Fuel flow meters pay for themselves in short order!

The gas you will save--once you see where it's going--will allow you to adjust your speed for optimum cruising. in addition, if a motor starts sucking gas in-ordinarily, you will know it and be able to discover the reason.

On the filtering, my Flo Scan unit has a coarse screen before it--all it apparently needs.

Jeff"
 
In the next 2-3 weeks I expect

In the next 2-3 weeks I expect to be able to post on our findings from the flo-scan installation.

The system has arrived from the US and is now with our mechanic for them to do the stuff to get it in and working and interfacing with the Garmin system.
 
Good lad. Remind them to plac

Good lad. Remind them to place the flowmeters UPstream of anything that could allow air to be sucked in--that ruins the readings. I had to remove one of my fuel shutoffs to eliminate the air (while retaining a shutoff DOWNstream of the flowmeter).

Jeff
 
"I installed my Garmin GFS10&#

"I installed my Garmin GFS10's this week-end. (sea trials today) The install went o.k. I put the sensors between the fuel shut off valve and racor where the fuel line runs vertical on the bulkhead. Wiring was easy, but you must connect the shield to a ground. I thought I would see a fuel gauge, but it is just a digital number for gas left in the tanks. I will let you know how sea trials go this afternoon. (Florida panhandle, cloudy with a high of 55)"
 
"Just got back in from a boat

"Just got back in from a boat ride with the new Garmin GFS10 fuel flow sensors. Them 454s like to suck gas!!! At 3400 rpm (24.9 mph) each engine burns 15.3 gph (30.6 total gph) and the Garmin says that is 0.8 mpg total. WOW, I have had this boat for three years now, and thought she burned about 10-12 gph at 3400rpm. I played with the rpm,trim, and went with and against the tide and the best is 3400rpm.
There is two fuel gauges on the screen, but I don't have them dialed in yet, will wait to fill both tanks up next week.
So, is the Garmin GFS 10 fuel flow sensor worth it? I think so. It is one more piece of information to monitor your engines and driving habits."
 
"Kevin,

Glad to see that yo

"Kevin,

Glad to see that you like them....I mentioned elsewhere at 30 knots speed, we hit 48 gallons per hour...We don't go that fast but It was a dubious thrill to see that. I have one fuel gauge but I basically told the setup we have 1 tank so I guess it is automatic based on that data"
 
"Kevin,
Do your 454s have a g

"Kevin,
Do your 454s have a gas return line? If so, how does the GFS10 account for the return gas? I've been told with Floscan I would need two sensors per engine; one for the feed line and one for the return.

David"
 
"We originally bought the Garm

"We originally bought the Garmin GFS10 to use but then we discovered the return fuel line set up so went to the flo-scan system. This past weekend we removed the garmin part and I'll list it on ebay shortly to re-coup a little of the money outlayed.

Thanks FastJeff for your tip re air being sucked in, I'll pass that onto the mechanic straight away."
 
"My 454s do not have a fuel re

"My 454s do not have a fuel return line. The fuel injected motors have a return line. On Garmins Web, they mention that the GFS 10 will not work on engines with return lines."
 
That is the same results I get

That is the same results I get with my Four Winns 365 engines. Good to confirm my results. I burn 40 GPH at 4000 RPMs.
 
"..."Just got back in from

"..."Just got back in from a boat ride with the new Garmin GFS10 fuel flow sensors. Them 454s like to suck gas!!! At 3400 rpm (24.9 mph) each engine burns 15.3 gph (30.6 total gph) and the Garmin says that is 0.8 mpg total. WOW!"

Thanks for the best laugh of the morning! Trust me, you're not the first to be shocked at what those little darlings are burning, nor will you be the last. At least you now know what speed to run them at for maximum fuel economy.

Jeff"
 
"I run a two way course with g

"I run a two way course with gps speed and flowscans, then put the data in excel, which graphs out the data. Easy stuff. Don't forget to do one engine only operation up to about 2000rpm. This will get you max range setting, in case you find yourself VERY low of fuel! You will see merit in running long, straight, slow cruises on one engine at hull speed. At least when traffic is not an issue."
 
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