Old Beaver,
I've been through more than a little bit of a learning experience with flow sensors. At this time the selection of what I feel are sensors suitable for measuring diesel fuel flow in our applications is limited. Flowcat makes the SF45a which is also sold by Flowscan, and used by Flowscan in a number of marine and aircraft installations and is the only metal cased unit, I found. GEMS sells the FT110 & FT210 series which appear to be the Vision 2000 & Vision 1000 product lines, and Atlas Scientific sells the TurboFlow-226000. The Vision, Gems, & Atlas Scientific are Turbine flow meters and if the turbine wheel quits turning due to dirt they will still flow fuel. Where as most paddle wheel sensors stop passing fuel if the paddle wheel gets jammed by dirt also a lot of paddle wheel sensors have issues with stop & start fuel flow. The Flowcat unit is listed as being able to flow fuel if the mechanism is stopped from turning by the manufacturer I'm not sure if it's a turbine unit though. Also the turbine units are a lot less fussy about their mounting options.
The Futurelec FLOWFUEL30L0 {http://www.futurlec.com/FLOWFUEL30L0.shtml} also known as the Savant FS-3400AH {http://www.digisavant.com/Products.aspx?C=3&T=13} is at it's full rated flow on the supply side of my 1500 cc VW Rabbit @ 55mph. The engine in my Rabbit has less than 40000 miles on it since a complete overhaul including the fuel system.
The downside to the SF45a, GEMS FT110 & FT210 series, Vision 2000 & Vision 1000 and Atlas Scientific TurboFlow-226000 is they cost more than the paddle wheel models, but if the a paddle wheel stops turning due to dirt and the fuel flow to your engine suddenly stops it could cost you a lot of money and even a life. I've found the Gems models are available outside of the US for a semi reasonable price.
Bill Higdon
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbeaver
Hello:
If one wants to monitor and quantify fuel consumption in a pre-OBD diesel, like many Mercedes and other European and Asian cars and engines, and want an accurate measure, the need of a couple of accurate, robust and cheap fuel flow meters is mandatory. Actually two are needed, on for main flow and the other for the return flow.
There are other ways to estimate fuel consumption, vía electronics, in which some members of the Fórum are experimenting.
This result (lt/h) can be addressed later to a onboard trip computer, together with the VSS signal (km/lt), such as MPGuino and other non OBD computers.
The list of the best fuel flow meters I have found follows. If someone has something else, please contribute to the thread.
LIST OF (diesel) FLOW METERS:
This is probably the most convenient:
Flow Sensor
Price: USD 12.9 a piece
BTFlowmeter:
FCH-m-POM-LC -0,8 LPM 97478617 : B.I.O-TECH Flowmeter
Differential Flow-calculator ARS 261: B.I.O-TECH Flowmeter
Price: not known, quotation asked.
Ada Fruit: Liquid Flow Meter - Plastic 1/2 NPS Threaded ID: 828 - $9.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits
(I think this is for water only)
Price: USD 9.95
Technoton DFM:
Differential fuel flow meter DF
Price: USD 350.
This is heavy duty, very good and expensive too. This is composed of two flow meters that calculates main flow, return flow and the difference, and produce a signal with the result. So no need to build a circuit.
Someone knows other sources?
Oldbeaver |