Northstar F210 Digital Fuel Display????

[gss036]

I just got my Northstar fuel flow system and upon reading the installation instructions, I come up with a quandry of questions. The instructions say that it needs to be installed between the (at least) 30 micron fuel filter and the engine. It also need to be installed vertically. My problem is, that I just had a new Honda 225 installed and they installed the Racor fuel filter in the engine well with the fuel line going directly to the engine, no disconnect.
Question , does it really need to be vertical? I know, if I call the mfgr, they will say yes, same as the instructions. That leaves me installing it out in the open in the motor well, is that acceptable? It looks to be well sealed w/ just the cable coming out and they supplied about 25 ft of cable which is sufficent. It might take a little manuevering to get the cable back up to the dash, but I can figure that one out ok/.
Anyone with experince on the these issues? Sure would appreciate you input/advice.
My 15hp Honda runs out of the filter on a seperate line on the filter, so I won't be able to record fuel flow with it, but for trolling, it really does not use much fuel anyway, maybe 1 to 1 1/2 gallons in 6 hours.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Northstar F210 Digital Fuel Display????

As a user of this unit I can assure you that you need to follow the directions to the letter. If you look into the transducer you will see a very finely vaned turbine wheel. A spec of debris will take out that turbine in a heartbeat. Yes -- it needs to be installed vertically for proper turbine speed and function. I would also suggest that you mount the transducer using some sort of a rubber isolator to help isolate the transducer from vibration. The transducer is very delicate and needs every bit of protection you can provide. The splash well is NOT the place to install it.

 

[gss036]

Re: Northstar F210 Digital Fuel Display????

Silvertip, thanks for the input. I will have to take a look inside the Honda cowling and see if it is possible to install it there.
Honda has some sore of flow meter, but I was not willing to spend close to $500.00 to get it. Thought this might work for me. If not, then I will have to try and sell it on Craigslist or E-Bay.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Northstar F210 Digital Fuel Display????

I would not install it under the engine cowl as there is way too much vibration and heat in there. All you need to do is run the fuel line from the fuel filter to wherever the transducer is mounted and then back out to the engine. Remember, the wires need to run to wherever the transducer is so those would need to get into the motor as well if you mounted the transducer there. There is enough "high energy" in electrical systems that may iinterfer with the pulses from the transducer.

 

[gss036]

Re: Northstar F210 Digital Fuel Display????

Thanks for the advise, I am going to give this some thought. I could possibly run a line into the area under a hatch & storage area, which would be about 1 foot higher than the filter and the back to the engine. It would make a loop, but I think the Honda fuel pump could handle that OK. They say to use a 3/8" line, what size is the the standard fuel line w/primer bulb? I would think it is smaller than 3/8" though, maybe 1/4". This just might be a hassle to be able to tell how much gas I am burning. Once I get that figured out, it will be easy to just add fresh fuel when I need it. I have 115 gallon fuel tank and want to get away from carrying all that extra weight. Normally, I only go about 20 miles out and return trip to harbor. I trailer my Seacraft 23WA, so it is no problem to run into Costco anf put fuel in it on the way to the harbor.
I moved up the Honda 225 from an old 89 Merc 200, I was figuring it would help eliminate some of the extra weight I added on the with the new motor.
After reading the instruction manul 3 times, I still can't find where it says how to turn this thing on and off. The manual says not to use power from the ignition switch, which is no problem.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Northstar F210 Digital Fuel Display????

Can't figure out how to turn what on and off -- do you mean the fuel flow monitor? There is nothing wrong with getting power from the ignition switch. +12V is +12V. If you use a separate switch you run the risk of not turning it on or leaving it on when the engine isn't running. If you don't have it turned on when you leave the dock you defeat the purpose of having the monitor in the first place since it can't function without power. This monitor requires that you initially tell it how much fuel is added to the tank. Since you have no idea how much is in the tank after you install the monitor, fill the tank and tell the monitor you have 115 gallons. It will then count down from there. After that, if you add 25 gallons (for example) program the monitor with 25 gallons added to the existing display and off you go. If you want some reserve (say 10%) all you need to do is fill the tank and program the monitor for 100 gallons rather than 115. That will leave you with a 15 gallon reserve. I love this thing and you quickly learn where the sweet spot is for your rig. I guarantee you it is not wide open!

 

[gss036]

Re: Northstar F210 Digital Fuel Display????

That was my way of thinking also, why not use the ignition switch, so guess that will be where the power comes from if I can figure it out. I really haven't looked at the new Honda ignition switch to what kind of set up it has.
I have 3 months to play with it before fishing opoens up again in February, then we can have some really nasty weather in February here.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Northstar F210 Digital Fuel Display????

You don't have to connect directly to the Honda ignition switch. All of your instruments have a +12V connection that is activated when the ignition switch is on. Each gauge also has a ground connection. Connect the power wires on the fuel flow monitor to the +12V and ground terminals on any of those gauges.

 

[gss036]

Re: Northstar F210 Digital Fuel Display????

I now have this thing installed. I am in the process of pulling the fuel out of the tank so I will be nearly empty when I start to use the boat again in Feburary (hopefully, depends on our weather here, February can be nasty).
I found my power from a guage that is controlled by the ignition and it comes on ok and turns off when I switch the key off.
After a lot of serious thought, I decided since the unit is sealed and I use it very little when raining and it is stored inside all the time on a trailer, that I would install it exposed to the elements. The guage is in a vertical position about 6-8 inches down the fuel line from the engine after the Racor filter.
It has a 2 year warranty and since I used my AMEX card to pay for it, they will extend the warranty another year.
Some of the guys over on the SeaCraft site have a pretty low opinion of this unit, they say it doesn't last long before it goes bad?
Now it is just a waiting game on this end.
Gas is now at 1.89.9 here and dropping every other day.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Northstar F210 Digital Fuel Display????

As I said, provide as much shock and vibration isolation as you can an it will be fine. If it is going to shake and vibrate, it won't last long.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Northstar F210 Digital Fuel Display????

They are also affected by cavitation on the vanes, that's why they suggest vertical installation.