Fuel Sensors: A How-to Guide

Installing a fuel sensor or fuel monitoring system on your boat is not just another project to be left on the back burner. There are many benefits to having one on board, not just for your boat, but also for the environment. So how exactly do fuel sensors work? What are the benefits of having one? And what should you keep in mind if installing one on your boat? Let us find out!

Fuel sensors accurately record total fuel consumed and identify optimum boating speed. This helps you construct a fuel/speed curve for your vessel. This chart can then help you find your boat's sweet spot, therefore increasing your effective range. Using your fuel efficiently helps save money and also the environment since you will consume less fuel. Installing a fuel sensor with an NMEA backbone is simple and can be a DIY project. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind while going through this installation process:

  1. Take extra precaution while working around gasoline - there are many potential hazards due to its low flash point.
  2. If you are unable to safely remove the fuel line from the engine compartment, reduce spillage by installing the sensor to a high point in the line.
  3. If you have two fuel outlets on one tank, always make sure you install the sensor after any Y or T in the line feeding the engine.
  4. A fuel filter should be inserted between the gas tank(s) and the sensor. The sensor must be protected from contaminated fuel since it is quite sensitive.
  5. Keep additional filters, hoses and cable clamps on board in case mechanical services are not readily available.
  6. FloScan manufactures sensors for both gasoline and diesel engines, while Garmin and Lowrance are limited to gasoline only.

To see different options when it comes to choosing the right fuel sensor for your boat, check out the our reviews on products such as the Garmin GHP10, Lowrance EP-60R and Maretron FFM110 fuel sensors. We hope you have found this article to be informative. Please let us know if you have a blog idea for us!