Garmin 546s with GFS10 - Dual tanks

Ellamar · 10-26-2009, 01:05 PM

Hello,

I'm looking at purchasing a Garmin 546s for our new boat. I've always had Floscan flowmeters in our past boats, but it looks like the GFS10 should fit the bill for fuel management information.

The boat has dual 50 gallon tanks, I'll assume that I'll need 2 GFS10's, one for each tank in order to get fuel remaining in each tank information?

The boat is spec'd to have one fuel gauge with a switch to select which tank to read, will this cause a problem or should I have a separate analog gauge for each tank installed?

The boat will be powered with a KEM 6.0liter / 375hp gasser.
http://www.kemequipment.com/vortec6000.html

Thanks for your time,
Matt

yachtjim · 10-26-2009, 04:47 PM

You can use 2 GFS-10's for that. Make sure your engine does not have a fuel return. Not many gas engines do but some do. If it does have a return line the GFS-10 will not work for fuel flow. The GFS-10 is all plastic, so you should consider that soince your boat is inboard, and plastic would be the obvious place for the fuel line to break and spill fuel into your boat. Not saying it could happen, but generally inboard fuel systems are rubber and metal.

Ellamar · 10-26-2009, 05:18 PM

How is the Floscan setup? Is it metal, better made? These boats have very little vibration, is the fuel line damage typically due to that?

That being said, is the GFS-10 more suitable for outboards then?

From what I'm being told, these 6.0's are a returnless system. I've got an email into KEM to verify.

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it.

yachtjim · 10-27-2009, 05:42 PM

The Garmin GFS10's are very robust and nicely made. Was just letting you know that they are plastic and not metal like the Floscans. I have never seen a GFS10 or the plastic Lowrance EP-60 break, so I'm sure you would never have a problem. The GFS10 will work fine for you if you have an inboard or outboard.

Ellamar · 10-27-2009, 10:10 PM

Thanks Jim,

Found out today that the 6.0l KEM motor does indeed have a return line to the tank, so it looks like I'll be going with the Floscan 9000 series.

Thanks again for your help,
Matt

yachtjim · 10-28-2009, 07:26 PM

The Flonet system will work well. If you want to order it from us let me know.

Ellamar · 10-29-2009, 09:59 AM

Thanks Jim, will do.

Looks like I'm going to go with the 526s as the preloaded maps on the 536s and 546s don't cover my area, so at least I'll save a little $$ that way.

I started a thread in the Electronics section to see if I could find some screenshots of what the 526s basemap for the interior of Alaska shows as the nearest unit I can get my hands on is 350 miles away.

Thanks again,
Matt

yachtjim · 10-29-2009, 06:38 PM

The basemap will not show anything. Just a vague outline of the USA. You will need charts. I do not have a unit in front of me but I am pretty certain the 546 will have the maps you need. If you call me tomorrow I can fire one up in the showroom and check.

Ellamar · 10-29-2009, 09:08 PM

That wuld be great, Jim. I look forward to talking with you tomorrow.

Thanks for your help,
Matt