The Lowrance NMEA 2000 Fuel Management System, WOW!

[Putershark]

I would agree, but I would just run a bottle of Techron in every couple of tanks. Most times 3 tanks in a row will clean up pretty much any level of deposits one would have, but with the size of a boat fuel tank, that can get expensive also...

The other thing to take into account is where is all that carbon going? Well some of it will make its way into the oil sump, and carbon is not something very soft you want running though your engine's oil system. Kind of like dumping in some sand to run around in your engine's oil system would make for a good comparison So I would watch how clean the oil is staying, and maybe doing a oil change after using a heavy couple of dozes in a "row" of Techron. Here again, many factors come into play, but oil is a pretty cheap insurance against such possible accelerated wear and tear...

If you keep the engine clean, your octane requirements will be lower or as designed. As that carbon builds up on the various surfaces though (mostly piston crowns) it can boot engine compression ratios out of design specs, and force the use of (one way or another) higher octane fuels... If not or you don't hear such knocks (which is hard on any outboard engine above idle) the ECU will hear the knocking and back off the timing for you. Then you apply more throttle (burn more fuel) for the same amount of work and may not even be aware of such. Vicious circle for sure....


I say this because you may not need to buy any octane boosters if everything is kept as clean as possible inside the engine. When designed and all this cool programming is made, the engine is in a test lab running in premo condations and more important, engine deposits are next to nil. So tracking fuel burn rates in the spread sheets that are posted (use the search tool to find them) will go a long way in watching such. Over time, you will start too see trends as to which fuel brands you buy and the octane grades used will give you your best ROI (return on investment) which at 3 dollars a gallon it IS now an investment

[SubmersibleGeek]

I was looking at the Floscan fuel management system when I came across the Lowrance one. I looked very cool so its great to hear come first hand knowledge that matches my suspicions. Unfortunately, I already have a Humminbird combo GPS/Sounder unit so I won't be changing anytime soon.

Lowrance has a multi-function gauge (have something like 14 different screen you can view bepending on the sensors installed. Everything from tank levels to trim tab position...way cool.) The question is does anyone know if I can run the multi gauge off a NMEA 2000 network without a lowrance head unit. I went to the Lowrance website for info and it send me to a local dealer (West Marine) and they couldn't help. If anyone has an info or know a good dealer that I could call with some questions that would be awesome.

[wpschaef]

Hey Sub, while doing the research on my Lowrance hookup to my Yamaha, I came across the Yamaha multi guages. Yamaha doesn't exactly condone the Lowrance hookup as yet but I saw that the multi guage could run straight off the NMEA network instead of having to hook directly to the motor. you probably will have to hook the motor to the network. You might also call the Lowrance tech support for more info. I didn't find their website very usefull untill I had more info. Good luck.

[SubmersibleGeek]

Biff,

Thanks I took your lead and looked into it for my Suzuki. Turns out I can get an adapter to kook the motor to the network and with a Lowrance multigauge (LMF-400) can get ALL of the motor data including trip fuel consumption, tachometer, alternator voltage, engine temperature, engine oil pressure, engine hours, fuel flow, fuel economy, fuel used, trip fuel used, seasonal fuel used, engine trim position, and engine alarms and warnings.


Here's the link for the multigauge.

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Marine/Digital-Gauges/LMF-400/Specifications/

[wpschaef]

Hey Sub, sorry, the link didn't work. I thought I would tell ya'll that since I have hooked up my Yamaha to my Lowrance, my GPS antennae doesn't work.It just keeps looking unsuccesfully for satelites it never finds. I sent the antennae back to the factory and they confirmed it wasn't working correctly. They sent a new one and it worked after I installed it in my driveway so I thought I was good to go. Went striper fishing yesterday, no GPS again, basically as soon as the motor started. My GPS shuts off when my motor starts and has to be restarted every time. Big pain. I am hoping this is the cause but unless the antennae is more susceptible to the voltage drain problem than the other components, which didn't show up before, there is a problem from the engine cabling that again the antennae is more easily damaged for some reason. That is the only change I have made. I have checked the networking numerous times and if I had hair I would be pulling it out. It will be a week or more before I get an answer and I may have to send my whole unit and antennae in this time so probably no fishing until it's back.

[wpschaef]

Welllllllll, I spent about 45 min on hold today waiting for Lowrance techs and the upshot is that they are going to send me a new antennae with a postage paid label to return the second one. BUT, they also stated catagorically that the antennae should be no closer than 3 ft from the display head. Gonna be kinda tricky fingering that one out. The way it sits now it's only 1ft away. If I blow this antennae up I have to send in the whole unit AND the entire network for diagnosis. Hope it works this time 'cause that would be a major pain. Hoping to get some help from my dealer on the relocation since they installed the unit on the new boat in Feb.

[SubmersibleGeek]

45 minutes on hold, that's about standard for anything involving customer service in this day and age. If it can't be done from an automated line its gonna be a while. At least the only thing its costing thus far is time.

As for the relocation, don't know if this will help but my first boat had one of those anchor lights on a metal pole that you inserted into a connection on the corner of the transom. Maybe the GPS can be mounted on a pole with an network extension cable running through the center. When you need GPS just plug into the network and insert the pole in a stand. Just a thought for giving the dealer something to start with, I remeber where they mounted your fishfinder the first time.