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Cheap fuel monitor
http://thorp18.com/thorpforum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7064		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  SHIPCHIEF [ Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Cheap fuel monitor
I just bought this Faria Fuel Manager from Blackbear sporting goods for $155 + shipping.
http://faria-instruments.com/fuel_manager.php
It's for a boat, but at least it does not have any boat references on the face.
It gives fuel flow, totals, and a programmable alarm. It is calabratable, so if the transducer is too flimsy, the famous "red cube" might be adapted. (these computers are pulse counters).
Anyway, at 1/4 the cost of an Electronics International fuel monitor, I had to get one to see if it will apply to a T-18.
It's the standard auto size like a gas or oil pressure gauge.

Attachments:
Faria fuel manager.jpg
Faria fuel manager.jpg [ 6.77 KiB | Viewed 6332 times ]
Author:  Robert Sanders [ Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cheap fuel monitor
Looks good: Let us know if it works and how hard it is to put in.....
Author:  Rich Brazell [ Wed Jul 11, 2012 2:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cheap fuel monitor
The fuel flow sender for this unit may be a little difficult to install in our A/C. It appears to be a "plastic/nylon" type unit with barbed end fittings that are made to slip over a flex line. Not quit sure how you would secure the sender to SS fuel line ? Not recommended to be installed in a high heat enviroment or where excess vibration is present. It appears the unit is installed just after a boat's fuel tank outlet and somewhere before the engine.

IMHO I think the Flight Data System FC-10 Fuel flow computer might be a better option. About 1/2 the cost of the EI unit.

RB
Author:  SHIPCHIEF [ Thu Jul 12, 2012 12:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cheap fuel monitor
Dang!
I wish I'd known about their site.
I have the GT-50 on my RV-8...I didn't know they had other products.
Still, I'll check the Faria out and let you know what I think.
The Red Cube is $149.xx @ aircraft spruce, so if I need to buy that to make the Faria work, I'll be out about the cost of the FC-10. If it doesn't work, I'm hosed. Bummer.
Author:  dondday [ Thu Jul 12, 2012 5:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cheap fuel monitor
Scott,

I use an FC-10 Flight Data fuel flow system. My fuel feed is strickly gravity and when I ordered the unit, I told Chuck (the owner of the outfit) to send me the FC-90 (Gold Cube) Transducer since it has a slightly larger orifice than the FC-60 (Red Cube). The FC-60 transducer is supposed to handle up to 180 hp engine, but the FC-90 goes up to an O-540 if I'm not mistaken and there was no price difference that I know of.

D-Day
Author:  Rich Brazell [ Thu Jul 12, 2012 6:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cheap fuel monitor
During my flight out and back to T82 my FC-10 proved to be pretty accurate. I did no calibration of the gauge prior to the flight and the "fuel used" on the FC-10 when compared to a fill up and cross checking the Westach fuel gauge I figger it was within 1/2 gallon. ;) It was nice to be able to have another instrument besides the fuel gauge to cross check my fuel usage. I suppose with a little calibration of the gauge I can get that 1/2 gallon down a bit. :o


RB
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