Engine Fuel Consumption Gauge Kit – Single Flow Meter
Description
Monitor fuel flow and consumption on compatible vehicles, boats, generators and machinery with the Scintex Engine Fuel Consumption Gauge Kit. This single-flow-meter kit combines a precision inline fuel flow sender with a colour digital display for monitoring fuel usage, flow rate and other configurable fuel-system information.
Engine Fuel Flow & Consumption Gauge Kit – Single Meter
This kit is designed for applications where fuel consumption can be measured using a single inline flow meter. This commonly includes petrol engines without a fuel return line, diesel systems where the return fuel is internally recirculated before the measurement point, and other installations where all fuel passing through the meter is ultimately consumed by the engine.
The system combines a precision gear-style fuel flow sender with the SFM0010 colour display. A range of flow meter sizes is available to suit engines and fuel systems from very low flow rates through to high-volume industrial applications.
Fuel Consumption Gauge Features
- Displays fuel flow and consumption in litres per hour or other selectable units
- Single inline fuel flow meter included
- Choice of flow ranges from 0.5–60 L/hr through to 500–10,000 L/hr
- Suitable for compatible petrol, diesel, biodiesel, kerosene and oil applications
- Can connect to an NMEA-enabled RS232 GPS receiver for range calculations
- Marine CAN Bus / NMEA 2000 output for compatible displays and chart plotters
- Can monitor fuel remaining in up to two tanks when connected to suitable sender units
- Supports single or dual fuel tanks
- Can connect to one or two fuel level senders
- Can calculate fuel use from compatible injector signals instead of flow meters where correctly configured
- Can connect to a compatible fuel pressure sender
- Multi-point fuel tank calibration with up to 6 points
- Programmable alarm output
- Password protection for settings and totaliser functions
- Sunlight-readable colour LCD display
- 52mm round flush-mount gauge format
- Display operates from 12–36V DC
- 12 month warranty
Single Flow Meter Applications
This kit measures the volume of fuel passing through one flow meter. It is therefore best suited to fuel systems where the measured flow directly represents the fuel being consumed.
Typical applications can include:
- Petrol engines without a return fuel line
- Diesel systems where returned fuel is recirculated before the measurement point
- Generators
- Marine engines
- Trucks and machinery
- Stationary engines
- Custom fuel monitoring systems
Important: If your diesel engine has a separate fuel supply line to the engine and a return line back to the tank, a dual flow meter system is normally required to calculate actual fuel consumption by measuring the difference between supply and return flow.
Monitor Fuel Consumption
The primary function of the system is to display fuel flow and consumption in real time. Monitoring fuel usage can help operators compare engine operating conditions, RPM and load to identify more fuel-efficient operating points.
The display can also use remaining fuel quantity and speed information to calculate estimated operating range where correctly configured.
GPS & NMEA Integration
A compatible NMEA-enabled RS232 GPS receiver can be connected to provide speed information for fuel-range calculations.
The display can also output compatible data via Marine CAN Bus / NMEA 2000 for use with suitable marine chart plotters and multifunction displays.
Compatibility should be confirmed with the connected GPS, chart plotter or NMEA network before installation.
Fuel Tank Level Monitoring
The SFM0010 display can be connected to compatible fuel level senders for monitoring up to two fuel tanks.
For irregularly shaped tanks, a multi-point calibration with up to six calibration points can be used to improve the relationship between sender position and displayed fuel volume.
If a tank sender is not available, the tank volume can be entered manually and the display can estimate remaining fuel based on measured consumption.
Precision Gear Flow Meter
The inline flow senders use precision gear measurement rather than paddle-style sensing. Aluminium construction, stainless steel shafts and NBR seals provide compatibility with a range of suitable fuels and oils.
Flow meters should be installed downstream of an appropriate fuel filter to reduce the chance of debris entering or jamming the internal gears.
Each flow meter is individually calibrated and supplied with its pulse count per litre for configuration of the display.
Colour Fuel Display
The supplied SFM0010 display uses a 1.8" colour LCD designed for flush dashboard mounting.
The gauge has a common 52mm round mounting format and a sealed front panel suitable for exposed dashboard applications when correctly installed.
Kit Includes
- 1 x fuel flow meter – selected flow range
- 1 x SFM0010 colour digital display
- 2 x hose-tail fittings for the selected meter where applicable
- Clamps supplied with kits up to 4,000 L/hr where specified
- Detailed installation and operating manual
Download the Fuel Flow Meter Kit Manual
Additional Items Required
Installation wiring between the flow sender and display is not included. Each flow sender uses three electrical connections to the head unit. Wiring should be sized and installed appropriately for the application.
A limited range of hose-tail fittings is available from Scintex. Other installations may require additional fittings to suit the existing fuel line and flow meter port size.
Fuel Flow Meter Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Stated Accuracy | ±1% RS in standard installation position |
| Maximum Working Pressure | 10 MPa |
| Pressure Drop | Approx. 2.5kPa / 0.36 PSI at 100% of stated flow range |
| Fluid & Ambient Temperature | -40°C to 80°C |
| Pulse Unit | Approx. 0.661mL per pulse / approx. 1513 pulses per litre |
| Calibration | Individual meter pulse count per litre supplied |
| Flow Meter Power | 3–24V DC |
| Output Signal | NPN open collector |
| Rotor & Casing | Anodised aluminium |
| O-Ring | NBR |
| Shaft | Stainless steel |
| Compatible Fluids | Kerosene, petrol, diesel, biodiesel, light oil and heavy oil where material compatibility is suitable |
| Warranty | 12 Months |
Available Flow Meter Ranges
| Flow Range | Inlet / Outlet Port Size |
|---|---|
| 0.5–60 L/hr | 1/4" BSP female |
| 5–150 L/hr | 1/4" BSP female |
| 20–300 L/hr | 3/8" BSP female |
| 50–800 L/hr | 1/2" BSP female |
| 200–4,000 L/hr | 1" BSP female |
| 500–10,000 L/hr | 1-1/2" BSP female |
Selecting the Correct Flow Range
Select a flow meter that covers the expected minimum and maximum flow through the fuel line. The meter should be sized according to actual fuel flow through the line, which may be significantly greater than the engine's fuel consumption on systems that circulate excess fuel.
Where possible, obtain fuel-system flow information from the engine manufacturer before choosing a meter.
Petrol Engine Selection
Many petrol engines do not use a continuous return line to the fuel tank, making a single meter suitable where all measured fuel passes to the engine.
For example, if an engine consumes approximately 10 L/hr at idle and 160 L/hr at full load, a 20–300 L/hr meter may cover the expected range. Accuracy at the lower extreme of a meter's range may be reduced, so the selected range should match actual operation as closely as practical.
Diesel Engine Selection
Many diesel engines circulate substantially more fuel to the engine than is actually consumed, with the excess returned to the tank.
If the engine uses separate supply and return lines to the tank, actual consumption cannot normally be determined from a single meter in the supply line because that meter will measure both consumed fuel and fuel subsequently returned.
For these systems, use a suitable dual flow meter kit so the display can calculate consumption from the difference between supply and return flows.
A single-meter kit may still be suitable where the engine's return fuel is looped back into the supply circuit upstream of the measurement point. Confirm the fuel-system configuration before selecting the kit.
Guide to Hose-Tail Sizes
Scintex can supply hose-tail fittings for the available meters. The meter ports are BSP female threaded, so alternative fittings may also be sourced where required.
| Flow Meter | Minimum Hose Tail | Maximum Hose Tail |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5–60 L/hr | 1/4" | 1/2" |
| 5–150 L/hr | 1/4" | 1/2" |
| 20–300 L/hr | 3/8" | 1/2" |
| 50–800 L/hr | 1/2" | 3/4" |
| 200–4,000 L/hr | 3/4" | 1-1/4" |
| 500–10,000 L/hr | 1" | 2" |
Fittings up to 1" are included where applicable. Contact Scintex regarding larger fitting requirements.
Installation
The flow meter is installed inline in the fuel line using suitable fuel-rated fittings, hose and clamps. Install the meter in the correct flow direction and downstream of an appropriate fuel filter.
Electrical installation requires connection between the flow sender and display as detailed in the supplied wiring diagram. Ensure all wiring and connections are suitable for the vehicle, marine or machinery environment.
After installation, configure the display using the calibration pulse value supplied with the individual flow meter.
Important Fuel System Information
Modifying an engine fuel system can affect fuel delivery, reliability and safety. Before installation, confirm the selected meter provides adequate flow capacity and an acceptable pressure drop for the engine.
Use only fuel-rated hoses, fittings and sealing materials appropriate for the fuel type. Check all connections carefully for leaks before returning the engine to service.