www.iFourWinns.com

Thinking of a new project for the winter months. I'd like to install fuel flow metering that can be connected to the Raymarine C80. Anyone with recommendations on equipment to install? I'm powered by twin VP 5.7GXi's.

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Transcendence II
2007 Vista 358

Hey Paul -

There is a recent thread here where there are some thoughts on the subject and other links to previous discussions I will have more time in a few days to get into it in greater detail, but that should give you a good start.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I inquired about the same issue a few weeks ago. There is a good thread of info a further back.

Thanks for the link to the previous info regarding fuel flow metering. I'll continue to look for information on this addition to the boat wish list. We do a lot of traveling on the Chesapeake Bay each season. Probably burn about 1300 gallons a season. I figured it would be a good addition to maximize the fuel economy.

Materials purchased today for the conversion of the galley sink to drain overboard. Tired of cleaning the shower sump. Boat gets pulled this week, so I'll try to squeak this project in before winter.

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Transcendence II
2007 Vista 358

Hi Paul,
I recently replaced my 2005 348 vista with a 2009 358 with volvo deisels and I have a pair of flow scans for the engines you are running. These units replace your existing tach's and provide rpm,mpg,gph and fuel burned since last fill-up. Go to the flowscan website to check them out and if you are interested make me an offer. I have all the sensors, harnesses and manuels.
Bill

Perhaps the most essential, non-mechanical mod for our boats. Not plumbing it that way from the factory is one of the few big misses on the way things are set up.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Not trying to cause any grief here, but I always wondered why FW did that on so many of their boats. Could be the old, "can't lose your wedding ring in the sump" theory, but that seems a bit far fetched. Our boat has 3 sinks, and all three drain overboard, as they should IMO.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Hi Bill did you sell these yet? If not will they work with my set up, I have 5.7 I/O if they will work lets talk this is something O would like to have
Thanks

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Terry
2005 Vista 348
5.7 Volvo I/O

Thanks for the offer, but I'm not convinced that the Twinscans are the way to go. I'm now considering the VP ECM units to convert the Engine data to NEMA 2000 for the Raymarine C80 and use Lowrance sensors to feed the chartplotter too!! More endless google'ng to do before christmas.
.
I've read (probably on this forum somewhere) that the galley sink to shower sump connection facilitates gray-water systems for zero overboard bodies of water. I don't have a gray water tank, hence the conversion!!
.
Unfortunately, the boat is still in the water. Probably a good thing, since it's dropping into the high-20's tonight. Hopefully coming out this week.

Paul

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Transcendence II
2007 Vista 358

Took advantage of the mid-60's and sunny weather today. Boat was pulled this week and ready for shrink wrapping. Found good spots to mount the fuel flow sensors. Just need to order the Floscan Twinscans from Santa for spring installation.

Also installed the galley sink through-hull fitting and hose. No more food in the shower sump!! Did it all from the space created by removing the sliding drawer under the galley sink. It was a little tight, but didn't have to remove anything else.

April is a long way off!

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Transcendence II
2007 Vista 358

Do not bother integrating it with the C-80.

There's just not enough room on the C or E-80 screens to make use of fuel or engine data. Yes, if you had a whole other C/E-80 display then it might be 'pretty looking'. But with just one chartplotter you need a lot of other data on the screen. There's not enough room on the databar to have it fit. Nor is it convenient to flip back/forth from a page with gauges and the chart/sonar/weather.

I have lowrance flow meters. I have their network bridged into my E-80. I can see their rates on the chartplotter. I tried once or twice, or for 'ooooh, shiny' demos to guests (like 3D bottom charting). Instead, I put in a gauge specifically for them. The nice part of the LMF-200 gauge is it's ability to do fuel calculations. It tracks consumption and automatically calculates mpg. It'll also calculate fuel remaining (if you take the time to update how much fuel was loaded). I never really bother updating it. I just use it to keep an eye on flow rates across both engines. It also has the ability to also show depth, speed over ground (calculated through GPS) and other network data. Very handy. The -200 gauge fits perfectly in the right binnacle of the 348 helm. The larger -400 gauge does not. And putting it down on the port side of the console takes it out of useful line-of-sight.

Feel free to go with trying to integrate it. But it's been my experience that it's not practical in actual use.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thanks Bill. I concur and have given up on the data integration project. Asked Santa for the Floscan units. Only 7 days to go . . . . .

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Transcendence II
2007 Vista 358

Hi

Before Santa buys it!!! Is the C80 NMEA 2000. If it is CHECK this out!!!

http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine ... s/LMF-400/

It can do "paddlewheel speed, GPS speed, tachometer, battery voltage, alternator voltage, engine temperature, water pressure, engine oil pressure, fuel pressure, boost pressure, transmission oil pressure, atmospheric pressure, temperature, depth, engine loads, engine hours, fuel flow, fuel economy, fuel remaining, fuel used, fuel range, trip fuel used, seasonal fuel used, engine synchronizer, fluid level, GPS position, trim tab position and more"

Happy X-mas, Paul

As I mentioned, the LMF-400 doesn't fit in the helm binnacles on the 348/358. You'd have to place it outside the immediate helm area. Placement outside the helm makes it less likely you'll be looking at it when operating the boat. Which is sort of the point of having a gauge. The LMF-200 provides the same features, just with a smaller screen (and a few less options on how the data can be shown on a page within it).

The upside to the NMEA2K stuff is just about all sensors can be shown on just about all displays. And some chartplotters will translate their own bus data over on to NMEA2k. The E-80 passes my depth/temp sensor from SeaTalk over to NMEA2K. But it does not pass GPS (or at least didn't the last time I updated the firmware). This means I had to add a 2nd GPS sensor. The LMF gauges need a GPS source in order to make distance calculations. As in, SOG (speed over ground) being used to calculate miles per gallon and trip distances. I can't recall if it will use a paddle wheel speed sensor for this or not.

STW (speed through water) is not the same as speed over ground. Consider running with or against a current. Let's say wide open throttle takes you to 40mph over still water. That's going to match up with SOG from GPS. But apply that same amount of throttle running with a 5mph current and you'd be going 45 SOG while still reading 40 STW. Or against the current being 35 SOG but still 40 STW. Increase the seas and your fuel consumption could go up a lot too. It might take more fuel to grind through rough chop and a gusting headwind. All of which means the calculations systems like this attempt to perform are going to have a wider margin of error than you might expect from a similar calculations or sensors for an automobile. I don't know if any of them are sophisticated enough to take current or wind data into account, presuming you had sensors for them anyway.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Yes, you did!!! Sorry!!!!