Fuel Flow Meter

[Chuck Irby]

A while back I purchased a fuel flow meter. The instruction manual states that the gauge should not be located within 12" of a compass and 20" of a radio.

Just wondering if anyone has mounted one any closer than this and, if so, what the results were.

[Chuck Roberg]

Haven't tried it but I would say if it's too close to your compass it will cause it to be in error.

Same for the radio. It will probably cause interference. And when you transmit on the radio it might cause the fuel flow meter to misread.

I believe I remember reading here. Someone had the electronic fuel level in their tank. When ever they transmitted on their radio the fuel level showed zero.

[Scooter]

Your meter has a resistance coil which gives out an electromagetnic field. Causes the compass to act erratic and causes noise in the radio. You can use a 20 amp filter from Radio shack for the radio. You can't do anything with the compass, other than move it. May not be the correct technical terms, but it's basically what happens.

[Chuck Irby]

Chuck and Larry,

Thank you both for your replies. It would be quite difficult to relocate either the radio or the compass, so maybe I can mount the fuel flow to the keel and down look at it between my knees.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated, as it is something that I really would like to use, especially in cross country flights.

[Aussie_Paul]

Chuck the fuel flow is more important than a compass. Gps amd fuel info is great. If you have to have a compass for legal purposes put it on the keel!!!

Aussie Paul.

[Chuck Irby]

Hello again Aussie Paul,

I really appreciate all of your input Paul. Your words of wisdom and experience will probably cause me to build a new instrument panel. Maybe I could mount the radio on the keel.

Do you know if it will be okay to mount the fuel flow gauge close to the GPS?

Thank you AP

[Chuck Irby]

Paul, Larry and Chuck:

My instructions for the fuel flow system don't mention not placing it close to a GPS. Do you happen to know if putting it close to a GPS would cause any problem? I ask because I will probably build a new instrument panel to include both the GPS and the Fuel Flow.

[Aussie_Paul]

Chuck, my "gut" feeling is that you would not have any problems.

Aussie Paul

[Chuck Irby]

Aussie Paul and Steven:

Thank you both very much for your replies.

Steven, I will check into it further and try to find out what type I actually have before I go any further.

Paul, the more I think about it, the more sense your earlier comment makes re the GPS and the Fuel Flow system together. With the GPS, which I already had but wasn't using, I wouldn't need a compass.

Thanks again guys.

Anybody need a good compass?

[Chuck Irby]

I flew for about 45 minutes yesterday afternoon and the new fuel flow meter worked great.

My special thanks to Mike Gaspard. You were correct Mike. The gyro did not realize that it is not a boat, and it worked great.

[gyromike]

Glad to hear that it worked Chuck. I have one also but not on my current gyro .I'm saving it for what ever my next project will be.

[Chuck Irby]

Thanks again Mike. I hope you all have a good fly-in this weekend. Tell everyone hello for me and that I will make a special effort to me at one Manual will host later in the year.

[joeheli]

Chuck it may sound stupid but , ::)What is the benefit of
a fuel flow meter? ???

[Chuck Irby]

Jose, the main advantages are that you can see how much fuel you have remaining, and you can also how much you are burning per hour.

[joeheli]

So, is important! were I can get one?

[Chuck Irby]

Jose, it's been a while since I ordered the one I have. I'll try to find my records and let you know.

Meanwhile, if Mike gaspard reads this, maybe he can tell you. Mike is the one who put me onto this particular brand ("Standard", I think, made in New Zealand).

[Chuck Irby]

Jose, click on the link below:

http://www.onlinemarine.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online_superstore/electronics/instruments/standard_ff41_fuel_flow.htm?E+scstore

[gyromike]

Here is another unit made by NavMan. It uses a 2" instrument hole like the FF41, and is a little less expensive:

http://www.navman.com/marine/products/fuel/fuel2100/index.html#

They are available here:

http://www.vitelectronics.com/nm41.html

It may be the same unit as the standard, just a different face plate.

[joeheli]

Thank you guys!!

[Chuck Irby]

Jose,

I looked at the ones you mentioned on eBay. I would stay away from the cheap ones. In fact, I would get the one Mike Gaspard mentioned. It appears to be the exact one I am using, just a different name on it, for 30 bucks less money.

If you're a little short on cash, just wait a while. This is not something you will need until you start getting away from the airport.

[joeheli]

Ok Chuck!! ;D