NMEA2000 Monitor for Engine

[alessandra]

any way to monitor fuel line pressure with nmea 2000 device (it gives you indication that fuel filter is getting clogged) so it can be watched from everywhere?

[Chief Engineer]

Why people want to over-complicate engine operation is beyond me.

On the Fairbanks-Morse 10 cylinder Opposed Piston Diesels I worked with on two tugs, we used all Mechanical Gauges.

The vessel that I am currently Chief on has two Paxman Diesels...all mechanical gauges...with some hi-temp/low pressure alarms.

The Racors all have vacuum gauges on them.

Keep it simple.

[Alan Wheeler]

I agree. Keep it simple.
In fact, heavy monitoring only makes for a lazy skipper. You need to inspect all aspects of the engine machinery at regular set intervals. Change out the filter in a normal service interval. Not when a gauge suggests it isn't performing as well as it should.

[Chief Engineer]

Amen Brother!!!!!

[never monday]

loss of fuel pressure will occur way after the filters are beyond a useful life.

[Patrick_DeepPlaya]

Originally Posted by alessandra

any way to monitor fuel line pressure with nmea 2000 device (it gives you indication that fuel filter is getting clogged) so it can be watched from everywhere?

I'm curious did you find an NMEA 2000 sensor or an NMEA 2000 converter for a resistance based vacuum gauge?

Thanks,
-p

[s/v Jedi]

Maretron sells what you need and also a N2K sensor for detecting water in the separator.

I do not agree that you will change your filter too late when monitoring pressure. Filter manufacturers will provide data on pressure readings for changing elements. Mechanical gauges with alarms do the exact same thing and they might even be more expensive than electronic monitoring today.

The advantage of N2K sensors is that you use the same displays to monitor everything and generate alarms in these central locations. On a short handed yacht you want more electronic monitoring than on a ship with more crew.

Many yachts & ships with mechanical gauges use cameras to view those gauges remotely... now that is ridiculous imho :-)

cheers,
Nick.

[Patrick_DeepPlaya]

Have you installed this as a Fuel Line Pressure gauge?

Also, have you checked the price on that? The FPM100 is $295 (street) + the Vacuum sender is $189 (street).

They seem to be the only game in town though for this application, so they can charge what they want I guess. I have a lot of their stuff and it is good though...

-p

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Patrick_DeepPlaya

Have you installed this as a Fuel Line Pressure gauge?

Also, have you checked the price on that? The FPM100 is $295 (street) + the Vacuum sender is $189 (street).

I don't have it but looked at it as possible sensor for tank levels. I agree it costs way more than a mechanical meter but the module supports 6 senders so if you have more to monitor it gets a bit better and for tank levels it even becomes cheap for a no-maintenance system. I found the precision for tank levels too low though.

cheers,
Nick.