Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

Just found their website (www.floscan.com)
Would be interested to buy one for next summer, but not sure wich model, and wondering what you guys are using if you are using these at all?

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

I installed it on mine last year and put the gauge in place of the speedo.

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

what model did you use? Are you happy with it?

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

FloScan....Don't install it without a prefilter or it will quit working! I need to take my meters apart and soak them. I picked up some garabage in the fuel and it "jambed" the flow sensor. It's one of my winter projects! It worked great when it worked.

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

Hey Jeff32,

Installed them on my 42 sonic and it works great. takes some time to get it adjusted but after you do it is great...I have the twin scan meter GPH and Total gallons...Well worth the money..just dont look at the gallons per hour while running hard it will make you sick.... :eek:

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

Seems like a great tool to find out where your most efficient cruise speed is. Not a bad piece of knowledge considering fuel prices! :eek:

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

don't get ahead of your self until you get at them. If the rotor turns when you blow into it lightly, your problem is otherwise! Didn't we discuss the filtering at the time here on the forum? They have always recommended a metal canister type in line filter a foot or more upstream (to avoid turbulence at the sender inlet) from the sending units, regardless of what other filtering is in place! For a few dollars at NAPA I changed them every year!
I also installed the "air traps" downstream, they help with accuracy!

I installed a twin 50GPH setup on a boat 9 years ago. Long since sold, the boat has been stored with me the last couple winters. No issues, and still within 2% (over) the way I calibrated it with the dip switches by the 3rd tank of fuel!! If the totalizer says burned 100 gals, it will take 98 to fill it back up EVERYTIME...even all these years later according to the present owner!

Musta been my mint install... :D

I now have the NavMan fuel system integrated to my GPS plotter. Instant MPG, range, ect. ect. ect. Lots of fantastic info!! I thought I'd try it as it's only another $150 for the senders if you have the fuel capable plotter...
As far as accuracy though it's no FloScan! Falls out of cal all the time when you reset the load ect. FloScan is aircraft quality stuff!! I still might get another system from them!

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

My flow scan meter is owned by Shell Oil Company. I visit it once a week and it tells me how much Fuel i burned with every fill up.......

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

Rip,
Prior to purchasing mine I think we had a discussion about the Navman and Floscan. Since this thread started I looked at their website (Floscan) and they now have an install video utilizing the cansiter filter and now they are providing the reset switch as well....both were not available when I purchased mine. When it worked it was pretty incredible to see where the fuel to rpm ratio kicked in.

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

I absolutely swear by mine...

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

I put a SPST toggle in the 12 volt to the head to reset the totalizer. If I remember 12V has to be interupted for about 5 seconds to reset it to zero.

The video is idea is cool. I only had to call them once during my install, as I felt the instructions were pretty straightforward.

EFI's are harder to get the kind of tight cal I had on my carb motors because of the pulses in the fuel system as the secondary pump pressurizes the fuel rail on and off.

how close were you able to get?

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

I have a reasonably important question, has FloScan upped the amount of fuel they will flow at WOT??? I admit it has been a few years since I installed these on several of my clients boat, we had two V6 OB's burn pistons. We suspected the FloScans and installed vacuum gauges on two other boats and found the FC's restricted flow well above the allowable vacuum margins. I do think they are a great unit but far better suited to those that cruise! But am more then glad to be corrected!

Phil

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

I have never heard that. How did you conduct your "test" and what other variables were in the system? if the sensor body is no smaller than the smallest dia. in the fuel line and the aircraft quality rotor spins so freely within that is causes no restriction...I don't buy it. "Restricted flow well above acceptable margins" sounds like there was more going on there. Even a jammed rotor does not restrict fuel flow. As the rotor does not consume the volume of the sensor body, it is simply "in stream" and sampling.
There have been plenty of 1000 HP boat engines with them inline since the early nineties. Ask Cigarette who has installed them as an option for years. I believe they were making 100 GPH capable sensors 15 years ago for consumer use. I'm sure that the industrial side makes units cabable well beyond that! Ask Boeing?



Best thing to do is call them. I found them to be quite approachable and helpful on the phone. Ask directly for tech. dept. and run your experience by them. I'd be interested in what they had to say.

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

Do the smartcraft computers do this also?

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

I believe Smartcraft measures (times/computes volume) at the injectors.

or rather from feedback to the computer from the injectors.

most accurate.

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

Rippem, what HP are you running? I installed the Navman system on my Stryker (twin 502efi's), but disconnected the senders 'cause I got scared of flow problems. Have you had any issues with yours other than the cal problems?

Jim

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

Yes- I have them on my 525 EFI's and they tell GPH and total gallons burned - Makes it great to know how fuel is really there when the fuel gauge is ready 1/4 tank...

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

425's and no problems. I just have to put the cal back in when I fill up. I called tech about this and got a convoluted, non definitive answer. I'm still working on that in the boat. They are the same sender Standard Horizon uses I know that.

It's accurate for burn at all RPM and close on total (as it would be calibrated) as long as I put the cal in.

After the two experiences, I would buy FloScan no question. I figured for the $150 I'd give it a try cause I really like the Plotter itself, and the range/economy over water/ground/distance to empty ect. you get when fuel flow is tied in is pretty cool.

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

It's good to read all this! But can someone answer my basic question ? I still don't know what model to choose from ! What are you using ?

Series 5500 / 5600 / 5800 ?
Series 7000 / 7500 / 7600 ?
Series 9000 / 9500 / 9600 ???

Thanks again for your help!

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

choose the series (5000/7000/9000) with the features and finish you want and the appropriate GPH capacity for your application!

Nobody knows better than you!

I had a 5500 Cruisemaster twin 50GPH kit.

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

My twin 525's use the Floscan Twinscan GPH model 231 sensor.....

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

I use the twin scan on mine. Twin 502 415hp. Intrfaced with gps. can watch real time mpg. totalizer is always very accurate. excellent for long trips. highly recomended. Be warned: you may better off not knowing.

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

thanks! That is what I wanted to know! Not the gas mileage of course, the model!

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

If I had one it would be:

I swear AT mine...

I use a Credit Card to measure fuel flow...

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

Hey Jeff32,

As far as which one take the HP of each moter divide by 10% add 5 and this should give you a ballpark figure of you gph at wot...This is based on FloScan measurements....

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

485 hp so my guess is 53 right?

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

times 2 ? Would be 106 gal per hour? does not make sense right?

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

One on eBay right now.

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

Livorsi Marine has its own version of them with an anolog display to match the Livorsi line. They utilize the FloScan sensor. It is very important to match the correct HP to the gauge. visit www.livorsi.com

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

it only goes up to 32 gph

Re: Anyone using FloScan to measure fuel consumption?
 

Hey Jeff32,

This is the formula for getting the right gauge not what you are going to burn per hour..Type of boat and weight and conditions will dictate what you will actually burn..The only way to calculate the amount you burn is to fill the boat up, run about it down to half and check the gauge with what it takes to fill it back up and adjust the floscan to match..You can pm me if you want more info...good luck

I did not know that! But before I call you, I need your help guys to post a picture of the instalation. I received my flo scan, and then checked the online installation video they provide on their web site. I realized I was missing 2 pulsation damper, 4 pipe plugs and 2 ssteel heagonal nipple, and the 2 filters. So I contacted Flo-scan, they said the video was made for diesel application not gas, and that is why I was thinking I was missing parts. So apparently my kit is complete but since this I don't thrust either my installation guide... I, just like DUKENROCK, uses the 231 model and I would like someone to post picture of the kit when installed.

Thanks guys for your help.

I sent both of mine back into FloScan because they quit working last year. They found a bad one and replaced it N/C. I just finished reinstalling them this weekend. I am going to install the SPST switch next to the Cig Plug under the dash. (That way it won't accidentally get reset by somebody) Can't wait to see if they work. It was nice seeing the ultimate cruise speed and compare GPH per engine.

Jeff,
The install is simple, just take yor time. Install them ahead of the fuel pump, keeping the 231's lower than the pump. I purchased my own fittings and hose, clamps, etc. Rippem used a NAPA filter (I used a different one). The prefilter is a MUST. The sensors are very sensitive to dirt. Install all of your fittings using thread sealer. Do not put the sealer on the first thread. If any sealer get's into the meters they won't work. The 231's should have come with brackets. iiI nstalled the port side bracket on the engine mount next under the fuel pump area. The starboard side bracket I drilled into the fiberglass stringer. I used all SS bolts and thread lock on the bolts holding the sensor to the brackets. Make sure the fuel lines have no sharp bends or kinks either. Hope this helps.

2;2047570]I did not know that! But before I call you, I need your help guys to post a picture of the instalation. I received my flo scan, and then checked the online installation video they provide on their web site. I realized I was missing 2 pulsation damper, 4 pipe plugs and 2 ssteel heagonal nipple, and the 2 filters. So I contacted Flo-scan, they said the video was made for diesel application not gas, and that is why I was thinking I was missing parts. So apparently my kit is complete but since this I don't thrust either my installation guide... I, just like DUKENROCK, uses the 231 model and I would like someone to post picture of the kit when installed.

Thanks guys for your help.[/QUOTE]

One more thing, Rippem mentioned that he installed air traps after the meters.It won't hurt but I did ask FloScan about this last week and they said it's not needed.

Here's some pics I found on the Forum when I installed them in 2005....I made some slight mods but you should get the idea...

(The bilge is cleaner now!)

I thought I could see filters? I'm probably stuck too much with the diesel video I saw... So you just kind of insert the meters somewhere in the fuel line, before the fuel pump, with a filter before the sensor, and give it 12 volts ? If that is what I think it is, it is more than simple!

Thanks for the pictures!

On my recent install you could actually see the prefilters, and yes you pretty much have it right. The wiring behind the gauge is pretty self explanatory. heat shrink the connections in the bilge area. I ran a 4C stranded/shielded pvc cable (18AWG) from the dash to the 231's and was able to make all my connections from that.

thanks again! Let you know how it goes!

Don't forget to Locktite the henweigh. Good luck.