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6-71TIB's adding Maretron Flow meters

Discussion in 'Post Yacht' started by My Affair, Jan 21, 2018.

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  1. My Affair

    My Affair Member

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    I'm getting ready to install Maretron Flow meters. My last boat I installed flow scans; which worked well but looking at this technology as something to try as I update my systems. Has anyone added the Maretron flow meters; if so how do you like them and would you please share any install pictures.

    Thank you.
  2. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    I have the same engines and have been itching to install the maretrons but I have never been able to get maretron to commit to the flow rates those Detroit's use. The sender's I believe have 5/16" orifices while the supply lines are 5/8".. Remember it's not the 30 - 40 gph that the engine consumes , it's the gross flow that they produce.

    That being said, I really hope you get positive advice.
  3. My Affair

    My Affair Member

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    upload_2018-1-22_12-34-49.png

    The specs say up to 132 GPH, but will ask if they have an example on 6-71's
  4. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Yes that was my problem, I asked if they had a 6-71 in their list of completed projects and they didn't, or so they said.
    I know of people with similar HP that have done it but when I looked at the engine it didn't circulate as many gph as the DD.
  5. RT46

    RT46 Senior Member

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    how much?
  6. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    ????
  7. dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    Don't you need a meter on supply and return and then read the difference for DD's ?
  8. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Yes you do as on any diesel engine.

    With 6-71s, I believe maretron meters don't match well. With the smaller one the top flow is not great enough to handle higher RPMs but the larger one doesn't handle the lower end.

    As an example if I want to monitor hull speed fuel consumption you need to get down to the 1/2 gph range that the small one provides but it doesn't handle flow levels at cruising speed while the larger one handles the cruise volume it doesn't read below 6 gph so doesn't work for the hull speed range.
    On my Viking I typically burn about 2gph per engine at hull speed. Hence the problem.
  9. My Affair

    My Affair Member

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    So far into my project...$2,400- 4 flow meters, 2 fm100 and 1 usb100...not sure this is the best solution after doing the research - right now wishing I had stayed with tried and true flow scans
  10. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Which meters did you purchase?
    One person I know with 450hp Yanmar's used a large for supply and a small for return.

    Keep me posted on your progress.
  11. My Affair

    My Affair Member

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    I purchased the M2AR’s - waiting on some more responses from Maretron before I go further and install.
  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    At slow speed, your Detroits are still moving over 20+ GPH in fuel.
    Consumption is the difference between the in & out senders.
    My flow scans with 5/8 & 1/2 lines (3/4" senders) read 1/10gph fairly well on 12V71TIs. AND at idle.
    I'd go for the largest sized sender available for supply, maybe, maybe the next size down for returns if that would work.
    The fuel out flow restrictor at the head is about .050". There is not a lot of pressure or flow on the return.
  13. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    I agree with you but the larger M2 meters have minimum range of 6gph. I asked Maretron a couple of years ago if I used those meters could I measure net flow down in the 2-4gph range and they wouldn't provide a definitive answer. They basically won't or can't commit to any design specs.
  14. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    pretty sure your detroits return a lot more than 6gph so the larger sensors should read the return flow fine
  15. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    1) Pretty sad but sadly typical of a web sales group not to have proven answers per applications of some gizmo they are trying to sell. All they know is in the manuals.

    2) If I was desperate enough to use these devices, I would size the senders to match the pipe fittings nearest the engines. Including different sizes for in/out.

    3) There are K factors involved during the installation. A good sign of some precision of operation. Some days we get lucky and it works.
  16. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    That's what I thought I would do as well, until I determined that the Maretron fitting is half the size of the DD engines fuel lines.
  17. My Affair

    My Affair Member

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    I was thinking to plumb them right at the fuel inlet & outlet on the engine head using a 1/4 double male fitting moving the hose existing fittings and connect those to the other sides of the flow meters, them wiring etc...just need to measure to enough room, if not improvise around that idea...not looking to get into a big expense with hoses. The other though was right after the secondary filter and after the fuel cooler.

    The people I’ve dealt with at Maretron are engineers, so far they cannot find me one set of installed units on DD 6-71TIBs... however the more I read the responses here and from them through the support emails has given me more confidence that this project should work... thanks!
  18. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    From 1/4 to 1 inch senders? What Maretrom fitting are you referring to?"
  19. My Affair

    My Affair Member

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    The maretron inlet and outlet fittings are the same size as the engine block.
  20. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Description
    Fuel Flow Sensor - 25-500 LPH/6.6-132 GPHFeatures:Operating Temperature: -40°C to 80°C (-40°F to 176°F)Storage Temperature: -65°C to 170°C (-85°F to 338°F)Port Size: 1/4 NPT FemaleCable Length: 1M (3.28 ft)Maximum Viscosity: 1000 cPsPressure: 68.95 Bar (1000 PSI)Strainer Size: 200 Mesh (If not already installed after fuel filter)/li/ul !--- cis:y4w2Om4GJ5A= ---

    You'll see above that the description for the MR2 has 1/4" npt port size. My 6-71s have 5/8" supplies and 1/2" returns . Based on my knowledge that's a huge restriction point that I couldn't get over. If Maretron is now providing these with bigger ports then that's a game changer for me