Yami Fuel gauge

[Tucker]

I got the vertical bar POS fuel guage. It showed 1-bar so I fill it up. Only takes 47 gal. The tank holds 82 gal so that means there were 35 gal left and only 1-bar on the fuel guage. With 5-bars being full do I just use experience and take notes as to how long I'm on 1-bar before it starts blinking to determine how much fuel I got left? You Yami guys have the same setup??

 

[Strikezone]

Same problem here although maybe not as extreme. Went offshore Saturday and according to fuel gauge I was much lower than I thought I should be (from many prior trips). I did switch to my auxillary tank on the way home just in case but found that I used 89 gallons which is about 10-15 more than a typical trip (farther out). According to the gauges I was estimating I used about 120 gallons.

At some point I plan on installing the fuel management system. That way I'll know exactly how much fuel I've burned.

 

[Tucker]

Is a fuel management system expensive?? Tough to hook up??

 

[georgemjr]

Probably good that it errs on the safe side. Also, remember that although you had more fuel than you thought in the tank, not all of it is usable. There is probably at least 10% in the bottom of the tank that is unusable, so the gauge may be showing, more realistically, what is left that can actually be burned.

 

[gwwannabe]

The cost of a fuel management system varies widely depending on brand. I put a Northstar F210 on my boat a few years ago and it works great. It helps me find the sweet spot for best economy and helped me resolve an excess oil consumption problem. Check around as the cost varies widely. I think I bought mine off Amazon for less than $150. Installation was not hard. The Northstar is marketed under a number of other brand names but it looks the same, has the same components and usually a higher price.

www.northstarnav.com/Products/Fuel-Management/

The Flo-scan is much higher priced and was more than I needed. Beyond price, I know little about the brand. Many people on this forum have it and swear by it.

There are a number of other brands out there but again, I know nothing about them. A Google search will show you more than you want to know.

Gary 89 Overnighter

 

[BobP]

Use the fuel management gauge totalizer function to moinitor gas usage, nearly perfect readings.

Just have to rememeber to reset upon gas up, or record reading prior.

 

[Strikezone]

BobP, do you also have the Northstar system?

 

[Tucker]

Bob, I believe what you mention is a Yami option which I do not have. Tat Northstar at $150 seems to be the ticket.

 

[gwwannabe]

Tucker, forgot to mention this. If you go with the Northstar be careful how you mount the unit that you install in your fuel line. It has to be vertical according to the instructions. I installed mine high enough that when the boat sat for a while, the fuel would drain out of the unit and subsequently would not read correctly. After sitting over the winter, it would not read at all because the turbine would dry out and stick. Cost to replace this unit was almost what I paid for the whole thing so spent a couple of hours with penetrating oil to free it up. I lowered the unit (it was still vertical but not high enough to drain) and haven't had the problem since - over 2 years now.

Gary 89 Overnighter

 

[BobP]

I have the Yamaha systemnow, previously had flowscan, , any system will do a lot better than a bar graph.

 

[Tucker]

The Northstar system is certainly priced right. How big is the device that monitors fuel flow?? Is is sensitive to bad environment? Does it mount before or after watersep? I have 2-options. 1) After the transom mounted watersep; depending on how involved the installation. Have to work through a small hatch. Location is much higher than fuel tank. Will there be a syphoning problem? I have a fuel bulb 30" from the engine, I believe this has a check valve. That combined with the antisiphon valve on the tank should prevent this. The other option is in the bilge. The fuel line runs along a stringer and I can tap in anywhere. How do you guys mount the gauge? I got plenty of room next the the Yami gauges, that's the logical place. Just thinking out loud...

Wish Northstar posted insallation instructions on their website. Eliminate a lot of guesswork.

Thanks Guys!!

 

[Strikezone]

It appears that the Northstar products are discontinued. I've emailed them for information but haven't received a reply.

At this point I would be sceptical to use the Northstar in case there are issues down the road.

 

[Tucker]

Strike, if you got on their website and replied through their general contact screen, they may not read it for 3-weeks if at all. Just my experience. I can't believe North Star is down the tubes, they're a big dog.

 

[Strikezone]

I don't think Northstar is out of business...just the fuel management systems are discontinued.

 

[gwwannabe]

Tucker, the flow transducer is only about 2 1/2 inches in diameter and about the same in height. As I recall, they recommended putting it where it would not be damaged and the only requirement was that it had to be mounted vertically.

On my Overnighter, I put it after the fuel/water separator and before the squeeze bulb. I added a length of fuel line so I could position it out of the way on the starboard side where the battery and oil tank are. I would think putting it in the bilge area would be fine. Just keep it low so the fuel cannot drain out of it. The other consideratio is running the attached wire to the helm.

I had two holes already drilled but filled with guage blanks so it was easy to install this guage and the oil tank level guage I put in. Drilling a hole would be easy with a hole saw once you decide where to position it.

It looks like the guys are right about Northstar and this product. I found a few dealers with some in stock but I wonder if the warranty is any good. It's a great little unit but...

Gary 89 Overnighter

 

[Tucker]

Gww, define vertical, you mean the in & out ports are vertical? Mounting on the transom next to the watersep, that full line runs horizontal from port to starbord outboard rigging tube. Sounds like I would need more fuel line and make, what would apear to look like, a trap. Sounds like I should find a spot aft in the bilge where the exsisting fuel line begins to assend up to the water sep. Sound right?
How does Grady mount the stock Yami unit?

 

[gwwannabe]

Yup - vertical - fuel in the bottom and out the top. I know I keep repeating this but keep the transducer low in the loop so it can't drain dry.

I've never seen a stock Yami unit so can't say anything about that.

I don't know why I didn't remember this sooner but I believe the original instructions are on the boat. If you'd like, I'll try to find them. I can scan them in and email them to you.

Found them - please send me your email address.

Gary 89 Overnighter

 

[Tucker]

Thanks, p.troy.1@hotmail.com. Is the unit difficult to use?

 

[Strikezone]

Here's the email reply that I received from Northstar regarding the status of their fuel mgt products....

Hello,

All of our fuel management products have been discontinued and are no longer available. Unfortunately we do not have a replacement product, nor plans to introduce one.

Regards,
Navico Technical Support

Guess that leaves Floscan or Yamaha at this point.