View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Keweenaw2018
Joined: 27 Aug 2020 Posts: 31 City/Region: Upper Peninsula
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Norppa
Photos: Keweenaw2018
|
Posted: Tue May 11, 2021 12:59 pm Post subject: No Fuel Senders / Alt ways to check fuel level?? |
|
|
So, I just got the below reply from my marina guys after I grumpily emailed them that my fuel gauge didn't work after a re-power.
Quote: | "The current fuel tanks do not have fuel senders in them for a dash fuel level read out. We ordered/installed them based on the assumption that they did but upon arrival of the boat we found that the tanks were not equipped with senders. Due to the limited access of the tanks, If you want senders installed, we believe the old tanks would need to be removed or replaced" |
I'm no stranger to logging hours and checking tanks visually, but my 2000 Cruiser 22 has pretty hard-to-access tanks, especially when you account for the bench, cooler, and all the snorkel gear.
I'm wondering if there is another way accurately check the tanks. Maybe a more "local" kind of gauge. -I don't mind taking a stroll to the cockpit when I want to check my math, but I don't want to leave any room for an error that could turn into a real safety concern.
Does anybody else get by w/ out a dash gauge? _________________ Cheers,
-Hunter |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ssobol
Joined: 27 Oct 2012 Posts: 3382 City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
|
Posted: Tue May 11, 2021 1:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have a fuel flow sensor. With the BF90D it does a pretty good job of measuring the fuel used (and thus fuel remaining). The only issue is that at low engine speeds it does not catch the fuel being burned because it is under the sensor threshold.
I use the LMF-200 indicator and a EP-60 sensor. This requires a NMEA 2000 network. If you want range and MPG you also need a NMEA 2000 GPS source.
My boat also has cutouts in the fuel tank covers and translucent tanks. You can see the fuel level of the tank most of the capacity. It does not show the level when the tank is mostly full or when it is very low, but gives good indication in normal operation. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20829 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
|
Posted: Tue May 11, 2021 1:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Most of us just looked at the fuel level in the tanks. Some had the plastic or fiberglass panel forward of the tank with an oval cut so that one could easily see the fuel level, Or if that was completely opaque then looking at the inside of the tanks will show the fuel level.
All of the MFD can read fuel flow, and utilization as ssobol pointed out. I have also used the fuel flow transducers. They give a good indication of flow.
The yard is correct hat you would have to pull the tanks to insert a level transducer. Pulling the tanks is not destructive as it would be fore the 25 or the Tom Cat 255, where part of floors would have to be removed. _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Peter & Judy
Joined: 03 Dec 2014 Posts: 552 City/Region: Olds
State or Province: AB
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Mistaya
Photos: Mistaya
|
Posted: Tue May 11, 2021 7:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I cut slots in the panels in front of the fuel tanks so that I could monitor them more easily. I shine a flashlight through the top of the tank to make seeing the level easier. I enter fuel levels and consumption in my day log. _________________ Peter & Judy Haase
Buffalo Horn Ranch
HMCB Mistaya
"Mistaya" (Grizzly Bear in Cree)
HMCB (Her Majesties Cute Boat) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Desert Dory
Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 180 City/Region: Tucson
State or Province: AZ
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Desert Dory
Photos: Desert Dory
|
Posted: Tue May 11, 2021 8:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The tanks on my 22 are opaque and I cannot tell the fuel level just by looking at them (this sucks!). I did change out the fuel level sending unit on each tank and do get a reading on the gauge at the helm which seems to do just ok
(I.e. better than nothing).
Having said that, you're best bet, as others have mentioned, is to monitor the fuel usage via NMEA 2000 buss and your MFD (if you have one that will display engine data). I do this with my 2008 ETEC 90 and a Garmin EchoMap MFD and, quite frankly, it's the bomb. There is ALL kinds of engine data you can display doing this, AND!!! You'll know exactly how much fuel you engine is using/used. WAY better than any resistance based fuel sending unit and analog gauge.
Since you mentioned you just repowered, I'll assume you new engine has a NMEA 2000 port on it somewhere (should be something in your owners manual). If so, and you have a MFD that will display the data, all you have to do is get the correct NMEA 2000 cable for your particular engine, and tie it into the MFD via a NMEA 2000 backbone connection.
Again, without knowing what electronics/network you have on board, I'm just making assumptions. Fear not!!! If you have a MFD (chartplotter) that will display, and support NMEA 2000 data, it's really quite easy to hook up/set up.
Things you'll need:
-NMEA 2000 MFD capable of displaying engine data
-NMEA 2000 backbone/network to hook your engine in to (maybe, depending on what you already have)
-NMEA 2000 cable specific to your new engine
-NMEA 2000 Tee connector to hook the engine cable to
-NMEA 2000 network terminator (maybe, depending on what you already have) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Doug n
Joined: 29 Feb 2016 Posts: 23 City/Region: Fort St John
State or Province: BC
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 19 Angler
Vessel Name: Sharon L II
Photos: Sharon L II
|
Posted: Tue May 11, 2021 11:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I did the same on my 19. Used the fuel flow data from the Yamaha F75 via yamaha command link and then a small nmea 2000 network to get it to my Garmin 1022xsv. It shows an accurate fuel tank level. I wanted the engine data anyway. Works great.
Doug |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ssobol
Joined: 27 Oct 2012 Posts: 3382 City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
|
Posted: Wed May 12, 2021 11:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
Just be aware that Honda came late to the NMEA game with their mid HP engines. For instance, my '08 BF90D does not have the ability to network the engine to an MFD. Only way to get engine info is to use the proprietary Honda gauges. That's why I had to use a 3rd party fuel flow system.
The higher HP motors got NMEA sooner. The mid range did not get it until the BF100 came out. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|