Lowrance LMF-200 Fuel flow system & EP-60R

[rsbusse]

Will the Lowrance LMF-200 Fuel flow system & EP-60R fuel flow monitoring system work on older boats without NMEA network?

I need a fuel flow guage that will work with two 1996 Johnson OceanRunner Outboards to effectively monitor fuel level and fuel flow.

Could someone with some experience with this guage tell me if it will work with my engines, and if not, could someonw make a recommendation for a fuel flow system that will.

Thank you,

Ryan

[kchace]

Sure it will work, but when you're done with the wiring you still will end up with a NMEA2000 network - its just the way it works. WHat you've probably been reading about is the data available out of the newer engines directly to the LMF gauges. In your case, the LMF 200 will connect to the Ep-60 and you've got yourself a fuel flow monitoring setup. The Ep-60 just connects into the fuel line, it doesn't really care what engine you have there - it will simply tell you how much fuel is flowing through the line.

You don't need to, but if you were to connect a NMEA2000 GPS to it as well, you'd get MPG, speed and several other nifty readings out of it as well.

Ken

[jfwireless]

You will need two fuel flow sensors as you have two engines, also you will need a fuel level sensor to be able to read fuel level. For fuel economy calculations you can use a NMEA2000 GPS receiver, or use a NMEA2000 paddle wheel sensor as the LMF200 can be configured for speed over water(Paddlewheel) or ground speed (GPS), your choice.

If you already have NMEA 0183 GPS/CHARTPLOTTER or FF, you may be able to use a NMEA 2000 Gateway device to convert your existing NMEA 0183 data to NMEA2000 data.

Jim

[kchace]

Correct, though if he just wants "fuel remaining" that can be done with fuel flow sensors alone, since you can enter the amount of fuel in the tank into the LMF-200. Then it keeps track of how much you have left by how much you've used. This is also MUCH more accurate than a simple float in the tank.

I forgot about the paddle wheel sensor. That would be a much cheaper alternative if he wants MPG and speed data but doesn't have or want a GPS that has NMEA2000 output.

Ken

[rsbusse]

Will the LMF-200 measure fuel level if you tell it the fuel capacity of the boat when the boat is full of fuel?

[rsbusse]

I read Ken's response after I sent my last question. His response at 12:24 answers my last question perfectly.

[B-Faithful]

Spend the extra money and get the floscan. My father put the Lowrance on his new (used boat) this year and the lowrance is not nearly as accurate as the flowscan.

[rsbusse]

Which Floscan?

[B-Faithful]

Anyone that suits your needs best... My father has the lmf400 and wishes he got the floscan again as he had on his previous boat..

Here are the floscan options:

http://www.byownerelectronics.com/st...e.php?cat=1503

[kchace]

B-Faithful - 12/18/2007 5:13 PM

Spend the extra money and get the floscan. My father put the Lowrance on his new (used boat) this year and the lowrance is not nearly as accurate as the flowscan.

I'm sorry your father has an accuracy issue with his Lowrance setup. In my case and in most others I have read or know about, its been quite accurate. In some cases the setup is complicated, but it can be done as well as calibrations entered to make actual line up with displayed numbers.

I think part of the problem is that the setup can be used in many different configurations. This leads to more complicated setups and a chance that things don't line up correctly right out of the package - they sometimes need some tweaking.

Ken

[B-Faithful]

It is fairly accurate when running. However when trolling or at slow speeds the lowrance doesnt like to register. It also tends to fluctuate in its accuracy. It just hasnt been nearly as trust worthy as his previous flo scan.

[jfwireless]

B-Faithful - 12/19/2007 7:16 AM

It is fairly accurate when running. However when trolling or at slow speeds the lowrance doesn't like to register. It also tends to fluctuate in its accuracy. It just hasn't been nearly as trust worthy as his previous flo scan.

Can you let us know how you tested for accuracy on the Lowrance and Flowscan products ? I have always felt the Flo scan products were way overpriced.

So with your testing is the issue with the Lowrance EP series fuel sensors, or with the Lowrance line of LMF gauges ??

As you must know there are plenty of options now and soon to be released products for NMEA 2000 fuel flow sensors and fuel management processing and display functions. I think lots of us would like to know how you tested these products and where the problems exist.

In this day and age having multi-function gauges has advantages over having a gauge for every function, that is one of the ideas driving an open standard like NMEA2000 .

Jim

[B-Faithful]

My father just goes by amount of fuel shown to have been burned vs the actual fuel taken at the dock after an offshore trip. Also the LMF-400 system he has with his twin Honda 130's also doesnt recognize the fuel being burned at lower rpms. His floscan on his previous boat was nearly spot on when he returned to the dock. He had a single Chevy inboard block in his last boat.

[jfwireless]

B-Faithful - 12/19/2007 8:11 AM

My father just goes by amount of fuel shown to have been burned vs the actual fuel taken at the dock after an offshore trip. Also the LMF-400 system he has with his twin Honda 130's also doesnt recognize the fuel being burned at lower rpms. His floscan on his previous boat was nearly spot on when he returned to the dock. He had a single Chevy inboard block in his last boat.

Did your father go through the calibration procedure for calibrating the fuel flow sensors by entering the amount of fuel after each trip as outlined in the LMF Users Guide ? I understand it might take a few tanks of fuel to get the sensors calibrated correctly.

Jim