Makai | 
05 30th, 2008| 
Frustration is rampant. After the FloScan units were installed and all of the NMEA connectivity was in place, we started the engines, turned on the Raymarine E80 display and lo and behold, no fuel data appeared on the display. Gallons per hour and total gallons burned data however was displayed on the FloScan LCD screens. Between all of the vendors and suppliers involved, they could not determine why there was no data on the E80. We went back into the system under the guidance of the contractors and manufacturers and attempted to bring the system online from scratch. First problem encountered was that the Floscans required that a code be set in each unit to designate port and starboard with the port display set to zero and the starboard display set to one. We found both displays set to the factory setting of zero. All involved thought that setting the correct codes would fix the problem. Not true, We set the port unit to zero and the starboard unit to one and still no data displayed on the Raymarine E80. We then got on the phone with Joe Ferrara who is conducting some serious testing on the FloScan/Raymarine configuration and under his guidance, we both entered the same identical keystrokes and menu/option selections to get the Raymarine gear to display the fuel data. His system came up and displayed the fuel data without any problem. Our E80 still did not display any data. Floscan is sending us a Fuel-Tron display unit that we will use to replace the E80 connection to the output from the NMEA backbone next week. This should prove that the FloScans are sending the fuel data to and through the NMEA network. Alcom has purchased a NMEA test set and will also test the output signal (if there is one) between the NMEA network and the E80 display. Since not having the Fuel data display on the E80 does not stop us from using the boat, we carefully put all of the hanging cables back in place and buttoned up the helm access so that we can take the boat out on Saturday. All of the testing will start again on Tuesday of next week. And the beat goes on……
We worked with Joe Dydasco, FloScan Sales Manager to determine which FloScan fuel monitoring system would be the best fit to work with our Yanmar 6LY2A 440 Hp engines and our Raymarine engine displays. Then we had Petros Kouraklis from Petros Marine Service in Newport Beach (949) 673-5040 install a set of the new FloScan FloNet Diesel Series recommended by Joe that will interface our Raymarine E80 NMEA 2000 onboard Navigation network via PGN 127489 (Engine Parameters Dynamic). The FloNet units will send the following data to the NMEA network. The first 4 data items are the most useful for our type of cruising and at this point, I am not sure if the Raymarine units can display the other parameters.
Gary Schreck from Alcom Marine will have his technicians complete the installation by connecting the FloNet units to our NMEA network. Petros will return to dynamically calibrate the units. All of this to be able to determine the most efficient RPM/fuel burn for two cruising speeds, 7 to 12 knots trawler speed where the trip is more important than the destination and 17 to 22 knots when the need arises to get there first before the next guy. The lower speed does not present much of a problem but when running at the higher RPM, efficient fuel burn is critical. With diesel now at a $4.24 per gallon rate, we need to manage fuel burn very closely. We worked with Joe and Petros previously when we had Floscans installed on our last boat, HALCYON, a 2000 Luhrs 340 Sportfisher. The amount of fuel cost avoided (not saved) was tremendous. Before Petros installed the units on the Luhrs, we made several runs from Long Beach to Catalina and back at different RPM/Speed settings to set a baseline and see if I had calculated the sweet spot using my old HP-12C as far as efficient fuel burn. After Petros installed and calibrated the FloScans, we made the same runs to Catalina and back but with the RPM set to the most efficient fuel burn based on the readings from the FloScan units. We found that running at 17 knots was more efficient than running at 15 knots. With that, I was sold and going forward, if I get stupid and buy another boat, the FloScans will be installed before I take delivery. Petros tolerated me looking over his shoulder throughout the installation and he kept up a running monolog explaining the why and how of each installation step. I recommend the FloScans to any boater concerned with managing their fuel consumption. And for those in southern California, I definitely recommend Petros for the the installation. Here is a pic of the FloNet units installed behind the helm. Click on the pic below for a full size view of the NMEA units mounted behind the helm or scroll up to the top of this page and click on Gallery to see the engine room installation of the measuring and sending units.
Ed Thomas from Tradewind Inflatables in Costa Mesa helped us select an inflatable tender for the MAKAI. Unlike the last time we bought a tender where we thought we needed a rigid bottom and 9.9 HP just to tool around the marina and go ashore at Catalina, smarter (less Macho) heads prevailed and we bought a Achilles 8 ft. soft bottom boat in a bag. We selected the Yahama 2.5 HP single cylinder 4 stroke for power. With both selections, weight was an important factor. The outboard weighs 37 lbs and the tender is 84 lbs for a total weight, less a liter of fuel, for a total of 121 lbs. We plan to store the deflated tender and motor below decks in the stern section of the engine room when not in use so no external mounting hardware is necessary. Ed had the CF numbers and boat name (MAKAI II) painted on the tubes prior to delivery so the boat is ready to go. After the deal was done and Kenny from Tradewinds was going through the pre-delivery check out on the engine, I found out that it did not have a reverse gear so that will take some getting use to. We are still waiting for Petros Marine to install the Floscan NEMA 2000 gear which in turn is holding up Alcom who will connect the Floscans to the Raymarine NEMA bridge. The shelves for the computer desk to hold the laptop, printer and Si-Tex Weatherfax short wave radio will be installed this week.
