Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

[Inghamcl]

All,

I'm agonizing over which GPS/sounder to buy. Looking at Garmin (545S) vs. Lowrance (LCX-28C or HDS-7).

It's important to me that the unit be able to show me fuel flow and especially *MPG*. It's one thing to know the GPH that I'm burning, but MPG is better. 8 GPH might be worse than 10 GPH. If I'm doing 16 MPH at 8 GPH, that's 2 MPG. If I'm doing 28 MPH at 10 GPH, that's 2.8 MPG. You get my point. MPG is more important the GPH.

Question: Will the Lowrance units show MPG? I've looked through the online manuals for the units as well as the fuel line sensor I'd need but I can't see the answer. I've searched the web, too. Garmin's tech support guy assured me the 545S would do it; I'm curious about the Lowrance units.

Thanks in advance for any help...

Chris I.
Clearwater, FL

 

[Boatist]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

First question is what type engine do you have. All the fuel flow sensor I have seen are not approved for inboards or I/O's. They are only approved for outboards.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

The Garmin and Flowscan units will work with just about any motor with the exception noted below. There are also issues with some DFi outboards

Models for single and twin outboard, stern drive and inboard gasoline engines from 50HP to 1000HP. Models for single diesel engines from 80HP to 3000HP. Gas Model Note: Fits EFI gas engines such as Mercruiser and Volvo EFI engines. *Does not fit certain gas EFI engines with fuel return lines that are directly connected to fuel tank such as Crusader and Marine Power EFI engines.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

The key issue with inline fuel flow sensors has to do with whether or not the fuel system uses a fuel return line to the tank. If thats the case, there would be much for fuel passing through the feed to the engine than the engine is actually using. The excess is simply passed back to the tank. The net result is that the fuel flow sensor would be showing very incorrect flow data.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

I've been told (somewhere on the forum here) that the Lowrance units with an internal GPS will not, but to be blunt I don't believe it.

I have a 522 and have ordered a fuel flow meter so hopefully I will know the answer in a month or so. I'm sure it will take me that long to pick it up and get the network installed as I'm installing a VHF at the same time and not quite sure how I'm wiring everything.

Plus it is still cold here.

 

[HONKER1]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

I have the Lowrance Globalmap5300c iGPS. The "i" in GPS stands for the internal GPS receiver.
Straight from the owners manuel on page 16 states
" NOTE:
GPS data from your internal GPS receiver can not be transmitted across a NMEA 2000 network. The only way to transmit GPS data across the network is to add a LGC module to the network."
I added a fuel flow sensor to monitor my fuel usage, but to get MPG I would have to add the LGC module to the NMEA network. At this point I am content to now hour much fuel in left in the tank.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

Downloading the manual for mine now and I'll see what it says.

If you are correct, I wonder if the new units will show MPG. They all seem to be internal (thinking the HDS-5 or 7).

 

[Inghamcl]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

All,

Thanks for the posts. You raise a few issues I hadn't thought of. I hadn't thought of the fuel return line issue.

BTW, the boat is a 27' Regal with a single 8.1L Volvo-Penta I/O. I'll have to do a bit more research on this one. I'll keep following this thread to see if someone passes along some add'l info.

Thanks again!

Chris I.
Clearwater, FL

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

Downloading the manual for mine now and I'll see what it says.

If you are correct, I wonder if the new units will show MPG. They all seem to be internal (thinking the HDS-5 or 7).

My manual states the same thing so I've sent a question off to Lowrance.

I don't see why the head unit could not display MPG. I do see that you could not use this setup with a second display (LMF-400), but the had unit should show MPG.

I'll let people know what they say.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

Here's the question.

I am adding a network and an EPR-60 to a LMS-522C. I'm told (on various forums) that I cannot display MPG with this setup and can only show MPG with an external GPS. Is this correct or can the LMS 522 be set up to show MPG. Also, I'm considering upgrading to an HDS-5 or 7 once the side sonar is available. Will these unit be capable of displaying MPG? I am not using a second meter, just the GPS/sounder. Thanks

and the answer

[FONT='PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif']Thank you for your inquiry. We do apologize for the delay in responding. We are currently responding to all e-mails as quickly as possible. We do appreciate your patience and understanding. MPG can be displayed with a reference from either a GPS or speed paddlewheel. Since the LMS-522c iGPS is being used as the GPS source, this will enable the unit to also display the MPG reading.

I'll be able to confirm this once this friggen cold spell is done with and I can get my new EPR-60 hooked into my sounder. But I ain't doing any work while it's -15.
[/FONT]

 

[jtcarter]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

You'll have to have a nmea 2000 network to see mpg on your unit. I have two 522c's. You also have to have a external gps for the units to share gps data. You would have to add a lgc 2000 or 3000. I'm in the process right now of hooking up the nmea 2000 network myself. I hope all the extra money is worth it.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

I need to use the network to hook up the fuel flow meter.

I don't need to share gps data, just have the 522 show mpg based on the fuel flow from the EPR-60.

I've also picked up an LVR-880 that I will plug into the network (once I get my license).

 

[HONKER1]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

I must be really slow in getting this. If you need the NMEA to create a network for fuel flow to get MPG, but your iGPS won't share information with the NMEA network. Then how does the fuel flow, that is hooked to the NMEA network, know when it has gone a mile?
I would think a peddle wheel or a external GPS receiver needs to be hooked to the NMEA network to get MPG.

 

[jtcarter]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

I must be really slow in getting this. If you need the NMEA to create a network for fuel flow to get MPG, but your iGPS won't share information with the NMEA network. Then how does the fuel flow, that is hooked to the NMEA network, know when it has gone a mile?
I would think a peddle wheel or a external GPS receiver needs to be hooked to the NMEA network to get MPG.

Someone told him the internal gps would share it with the fuel flow gauge. The internal gps won't share gps data, it might share data with the fuel flow gauge.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

I think I see the confusion.

I did not buy a fuel flow gauge or meter or whatever I called it. I bought the fuel flow sensor (EPR-60). Normally this would be hooked up to a fuel flow gauge like a LMF-400 but I plan to just hook it into my GPS unit. My LMS-522 gets plugged into the NMEA network and will read whatever data is available.

Since my unit has an internal GPS, it can take the readings from the senor and do it's own calculation, showing me MPG on the screen.

If I wanted to use an LMF-400, then I would need the external GPS to show MPG on it. Not what I'm trying to do and the setup I have will work fine for me.

Hope that clears it up.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

I'll be able to confirm this once this friggen cold spell is done with and I can get my new EPR-60 hooked into my sounder. But I ain't doing any work while it's -15.
[/font]

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I just wanted to say that with the temps ~+10, I wired in the fuel flow thingy and went fishing (or rather went for a slow boat ride to make sure my tackle was nice and clean).

GPS showed about 3.6 mpg at WOT. About what I expected. I have a 115hp Evinrude and was pushing through about 11 gallons per hour going about 40 mph.

So it did exactly what I wanted without needing an external gps.

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: Lowrance GPS units display *MPG*?

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I just wanted to say that with the temps ~+10, I wired in the fuel flow thingy and went fishing (or rather went for a slow boat ride to make sure my tackle was nice and clean).

GPS showed about 3.6 mpg at WOT. About what I expected. I have a 115hp Evinrude and was pushing through about 11 gallons per hour going about 40 mph.

So it did exactly what I wanted without needing an external gps.

I would like to do this as well. I don't mind at all bumping an old thread. Do you have any additional data to share? How is it all working out? I should have a used in excellent condition 522c in a few days if all goes well. I'd like to be able to find out my MPG. Where do I find the sensor and how do I wire it?