Fuel management 2, FloScan
Consider this test a work in progress! (Bigger photo here.) Those are two FloNet N2K interface boxes that FloScan loaned me with built-in simulation of something like a big sportfishing boat blasting along on a plane. I can modify the simulated flow value somewhat using the calibration controls built into the box, which also has an “instance” switch so that the left one (instance 0) is set up as as the port engine and the right one (instance 1) represents the starboard engine. As noted on first sight, FloScan has designed this adaptor so that a special display is not needed to manage all its calibration and flow meter diagnostics; all you need is a display that understands what to do with a fuel flow message(s). Well, easier said than done, particularly when you throw twin flow values at those displays first, and read the manuals later!
The Garmin did pretty well, recognizing the two flow values and totaling them upper left and in the miles/gallon figure. However there’s a glitch in its “remaining fuel” figure (explained in Fuel Management, part 1); it’s only subtracting one flow value from the total gallons I’d programmed into it. I had to tell the Raymarine ST70 that it should look for two engines, for which it would give individual flow values, but not a total, and its miles/gallon “economy” just repeats flow, and gallons “to empty” didn’t seem to work (I may have missed something, or those functions may need tweaking). The Maretron at first only showed one engine’s flow and nm/gal, but I later figured out how to enable the other value and now it matches the Garmin. But note that Maretron’s definition of the “remaining fuel”, unlike Garmin’s, is the total tank capacity divided by its percentage level. I have it set to 1,000 gallons, 77.3% full. Note too that if you page to the Garmin’s fuel gauge, you’ll see 77% full, based on the Maretron tank PGN. Confused yet!
Then there’s the Furuno FI-50 Multi, which shows the flow rate of the “0” port engine. If there is a way to set it up for two engines, I haven’t found it yet. It also, like the Simrad, does not seem to do an nm/gal economy calculation, but it seems to be the only display that can show the “gallons used” PGN coming from the FloNet (though only one). The Simrad recognizes two engine flow rates (also RPMs and tank levels) as possible data, but I can’t get both of them to show at once on a screen. Conclusion, which is no doubt frustrating for FloScan: not one of these displays can yet show everything you might want for dual engine fuel management. Check out the Lowrance LCX screen below to see what I mean. I set up the “Custom Gauges” window to show each engine’s individual flow and nm/gal values, as well as their total (in a big, ouch-that-hurts-at-$5–gallon font). The only glitch on this screen is a user error. The Lowrance is seeing the 1,000 gallon tank capacity and tank level from the Maretron sender but using its own mis-programmed tank value of 100 gallons to calculate range and fuel remaining. Now, I’m going to take the holiday off, and hopefully burn a little real gasoline on the water…but in much smaller quantities.
PS Turns out that the Garmin’s remaining fuel total is correct; what fooled me and is not correct is the gallon totals simulated on the FloNets. I wasn’t tracking time when I took that photo above, but can tell you now that it represents about 40 minutes of simulated fuel burn, as shown on the GMI (45 gallons used), not the 80 minutes or so suggested by the FloNets. Sorry, Garmin, especially the engineers who tried unsuccessfully to duplicate a “problem” that wasn’t. I’m sure that real FloNets total flow correctly.
Ben, first of all thanks SO much for all your efforts at publishing such great content on Panbo. Truly appreciated by those of us who are trying to make sense of all this and apply it as we are underway. (currently sailing in Costa Rica)
I have a 50' sailboat with an old (1986) single 6 cyl. Onan/Cummins turbo diesel that I'm trying to fix or refit a full set of fuel monitoring data. I installed a NavMan 3200 diesel sytem 2 years ago before leaving on my circumnavigation and about 9 months ago it started acting up which I traced to a non functioning return line sender. I took it all apart and cleaned it thoroughly, no damage or problems but still doesn't work (LED on the bottom does not light up). The instrument still reads out, tach works, but of course the readings are all wrong because it isn't taking into account the returned fuel. Here are my questions (finally!)
1. NavMan is no longer making these units (nor NorthStar) and I can't seem to find any source for replacement parts to buy a replacement sender. Do you know of any sources I could try?
2. If I have to I will install a whole new system and so your recent 6 part series on fuel management has been most interesting and helpful. I'm thinking of buying one of the Floscan NMEA FloNET diesel 2K units however I need to use my Raymarine E120 and RayTech software to display the data and I can't seem to get any straight answers as to which fuel parameters the E-120 will be able to understand and display? You seemed to have problems getting the E-120 to understand and display some of the output from the Floscan unit so I'm wondering if you have any update, information or insight into this. I don't want to spend all this $$ for the Floscan unit if i won't be able to see the data.
3. At this time all my NMEA equipment is using NMEA 0183 and I don't have anything that is using N2K so I'm wondering what all I will need to install in order to connect the Floscan FloNET box and feed it into my E-120? I'm currently in Costa Rica and about to head offshore next month (mid Feb) for the South Pacific so I need to get everything I'm going to need equipment and parts wise before I head out to these very isolated spots. Do you have a list or some references that I can use to help make sure I buy everything I'm going to need to install my first N2K network? I will be making a trip to the USA at the end of the month so I can pick things up when I'm there and bring them back but I want to make sure I have EVERYTHING I need before I get back to CR.
4. Lastly, I was intrigued by your most recent posting on the Lowrance LMF-400 unit, especially for that price! But I believe this system only works for gas engines is that correct?
Sorry for such a long winded note and thanks in advance for any assistance and direction you can provide.
Wayne