NMEA 2000 fuel senders?

[TheOffice]

Looking to add fuel gauges to my fuel and water tanks. I've used KUS senders and a gauge in the past, but I'd like to connect the sender directly to the NMEA backbone without installing a sensor and converter.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these?
https://www.defender.com/category.js...-1|344|2028701

[smac999]

My best experances are with Oceanic Systems

You either need to order or cut to length. Then calibrate.

https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=5526215

The Maretron ones I have had issues with not lasting long.

[goboatingnow]

All nmea2000 sensors have converters either internally or externally. It makes little sense to replace a analog sender with an integrated nmea 2000 one , as it’s the physical sender that tends to fail and with the integrated unit yiu have a much more expensive replacement

I use the CX5003 $100 converter there’s also the simpler and cheaper $60 CX5001 now available. ( see AliExpress ) for fuel senders.

Yacht devices also make one circa $150:

[TheOffice]

Thanks. There are no senders now, just dip sticks. I figured I'd go for the all in one solution.

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

...I use the CX5003 $100 converter...

I have a question about the CX5003. I notice it has dedicated terminals for various inputs; fuel tank 1, fuel tank 2, water tank 1, etc.

What happens when you only populate some of the inputs? For example, say I wanted to use it for only fuel and water tanks. Would my NMEA 2000 devices be seeing "zero" data for all the other values, such as engine water pressure, rudder angle, etc.?

I'm concerned because I already have other NMEA 2000 sensors sending various data. I don't want my MFD and other devices confused by seeing the "real" data and also the "zero" data from the CX5003.

[Davidhoy]

I have several Maretron TLM100's - three for my fuel tanks, and four for my water tanks. I've had issues with inconsistent readings, but recently upgraded the firmware and they seem much improved.

Full disclosure, I work for Maretron, just not on these specific devices.

[bmz]

Originally Posted by Davidhoy

I have several Maretron TLM100's - three for my fuel tanks, and four for my water tanks. I've had issues with inconsistent readings, but recently upgraded the firmware and they seem much improved.

Full disclosure, I work for Maretron, just not on these specific devices.

I have that problem with my TLM100, how do I update the firmware?

[Hermia II]

Originally Posted by Davidhoy

I have several Maretron TLM100's - three for my fuel tanks, and four for my water tanks. I've had issues with inconsistent readings, but recently upgraded the firmware and they seem much improved.

Full disclosure, I work for Maretron, just not on these specific devices.

I have four ultrasonic Maretron for water, three for fuel and one for blk wtr. One water tank occasionally gives "no instance 3 reading" Should I change the sensor?

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by bmz

I have that problem with my TLM100, how do I update the firmware?

This firmware version will be released in the next official build of N2K Analyzer. If you already have a prior version of N2K Analyzer, and a USB100 or IPG100, send an email to marine.support@carlingtech.com, tell them that you need the new TLM100 firmware. I’ll let them know to expect your email, and work with them to get it to you.

Regards,
David

[bmz]

Thank you very much. I don't have the analyzer, I have previously used Tidewater Marine in Baltimore( I live near there now) to set my TLM 100. Bill, the electronics wizard partner, had all the equipment and expertise. However, during Covid Tidewater went under. I have been looking for Bill, or a replacement, all year long. Perhaps Maretron might have his new location or another dealer around Baltimore who can do this work.

Phil

[jt11791]

Originally Posted by TheOffice

Looking to add fuel gauges to my fuel and water tanks. I've used KUS senders and a gauge in the past, but I'd like to connect the sender directly to the NMEA backbone without installing a sensor and converter.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these?
https://www.defender.com/category.js...-1|344|2028701

I recently installed the Maretron senders in two of the fuel tanks on my H54. I also purchased their USB gateway so I could program them myself. They did not read as consistently as I hoped even when anchored in flat water. I went back and added focus tubes, which has improved the readings a lot. With the focus tubes, I am happy with the senders, now I just need to make some careful calibrations as my tanks are not a regular shape and 1" at the bottom is not the same volume as 1" at the top.



Also, the sensors have a 2 inch dead band, that is, they cannot read within 2 inches of the sensor. Maretron sells focus tubes that raise the sensor 2 inches to deal with the dead band, but in my case I did not have enough space above the tank to use them. I would get these if you have the space.

[TheOffice]

JT and others
Thanks
Joel

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

I have a question about the CX5003. I notice it has dedicated terminals for various inputs; fuel tank 1, fuel tank 2, water tank 1, etc.

What happens when you only populate some of the inputs? For example, say I wanted to use it for only fuel and water tanks. Would my NMEA 2000 devices be seeing "zero" data for all the other values, such as engine water pressure, rudder angle, etc.?

I'm concerned because I already have other NMEA 2000 sensors sending various data. I don't want my MFD and other devices confused by seeing the "real" data and also the "zero" data from the CX5003.

The cx5003 will only transmit from ports that resolve to correct data. If there no connection there is no data.

The issue of multiple senders sending the same NMEA 2000 PGNs , raised an issue generally called “ source select “ an area where NMEA did not demand be supported , on the early days this lead to confusion amongst display units as to which one to display.

By and large the modern units and or older ones with undated firmware correctly implement source select so you can read the appropriate PGN and ignore the unwanted ones. However on occasion the problem raises its head.

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by bmz

Thank you very much. I don't have the analyzer, I have previously used Tidewater Marine in Baltimore( I live near there now) to set my TLM 100. Bill, the electronics wizard partner, had all the equipment and expertise. However, during Covid Tidewater went under. I have been looking for Bill, or a replacement, all year long. Perhaps Maretron might have his new location or another dealer around Baltimore who can do this work.

Phil

Hi Phil,

The N2K Analyzer software is free, but you do need a USB100 or IPG100 in order to connect to the network. Maretron tech support may be able to reconnect you with Bill, but I can’t say for sure. Give them a shout, and we’ll do what we can to get you squared away.

Regards,
David.