Nmea 2000 and gph display

lapl0007

Cadet
Joined
Aug 15, 2024
Messages
19
So, I am searching for a display (preferably guage size) that would do gph. My set up is no existing NMEA2000 equipment or displays. All I really want is a gph display but it appears to be either expensive (over $500) or nonexistent. I have the flow meter on order (garmin gfs10) and just need something to display the data. Is there anything people on here know of that I am just missing? Preferably $200 or lower. Thanks!
For what it's worth, motor is 1983 Merc 115hp outboard, on a starcraft 1974 18' SS. Humminbird helix 7 is the only other electronic on board.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,202
So, I am searching for a display (preferably guage size) that would do gph. My set up is no existing NMEA2000 equipment or displays. All I really want is a gph display but it appears to be either expensive (over $500) or nonexistent. I have the flow meter on order (garmin gfs10) and just need something to display the data. Is there anything people on here know of that I am just missing? Preferably $200 or lower. Thanks!
For what it's worth, motor is 1983 Merc 115hp outboard, on a starcraft 1974 18' SS. Humminbird helix 7 is the only other electronic on board.
The sensor simply generates “counts” in response to flow.

To generate the data you’re looking for, you need a NMEA 2000 back bone, your GFS kit, proprietary (Garmin) configuration software to support the sensor, and a display capable of running the software

This being the case, you need a Garmin display of some type. A list of comparable displays can be found here

On a personal note, fuel flow is not very helpful. No way could I justify the expense if I didn’t already have the plotters and networking in place to support one
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,975
the garmin flow meter is just a prox switch that counts the little wheel pulses. you still need it to be connected to an appropriate NMEA backbone and displayed on a NMEA 2k display

fuel flow is only helpful if you really really really need to know your fuel burn, which as dingbat pointed out is not really helpful because fuel flow changes due to wind, current, temperature, load, speed, direction, where you stand in the boat, your trim angle, surface condions, etc. I think I looked at fuel flow twice in the past 4-1/2 years
 

lapl0007

Cadet
Joined
Aug 15, 2024
Messages
19
So, lets pretend i still want to know my gph. What would a guy need? Backbone=wire? Or Backbone is a device? So flow meter on fuel line. Then flow meter wire to nmea 2000 device. Done?
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,202
So, lets pretend i still want to know my gph. What would a guy need? Backbone=wire? Or Backbone is a device? So flow meter on fuel line. Then flow meter wire to nmea 2000 device. Done?

The Garmin flow meter requires a 30 micron, inline filter in front of the device. The device is then mounted in a "vertical" section of fuel line to keep air bubbles to a minimum.

The back bone (NMEA 2000 starter kit) is a device (power, fuse, and signal cable with terminators) used to connect a NMEA 2000 sensor to a NMEA 2000 "compatible" (Garmin) Display.

The fuel Sensor and Display will come with a "drop" cable to connect the devices to the Back Bone.
 
Last edited:

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,975
So, lets pretend i still want to know my gph. What would a guy need? Backbone=wire? Or Backbone is a device? So flow meter on fuel line. Then flow meter wire to nmea 2000 device. Done?
Buy Garmin GFS-10 for $185
Buy NMEA 2k backbone starter kit for $100
Buy NMEA 2K compatible Garmin display for $250-5000
Buy misc hardware, filter, zip ties, etc. for $25

you need the NMEA 2k backbone to let the bits and pieces know they are not stand-alone.

you need the backbone for the display to connect to anything other than a transducer.

once you have a backbone, you can connect NMEA compliant engine (then you wont need the fuel flow meter), or a NMEA compliant radio, etc.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,202
Quick note here........
There is no such designation as a “NMEA Compatible”.

The "NMEA 2000 Compatible” nomenclature is a product of marketing departments. These products may work fine, but there is no guarantee they will interact properly with all other Certified devices on your network.

On the other hand, "NMEA 2000 Certified" devices can be relied upon to interact properly with all other Certified devices on your network.
 
Top