What needs monitoring that isn't already?

[4str]

So I've re-powered after my engine got stolen. On the last engine I'd fitted a fuel flow meter in a somewhat useless attempt to determine the best fuel efficiency. Of course, the sensor for the gauge went with the old engine. I tried sourcing a new sensor but it is no longer manufactured and is unavailable.

So I have a dead and useless gauge in my console and it bugs me.

I have 2 Yamaha gauges in the console so stuff like temp, voltage, speed, fuel level, RPMs etc. are displayed.

I am thinking of filling the spot with another fuel flow meter, or maybe a water pressure gauge.

Any more vital piece of information that I'm missing? Or should I just put a big smiley face sticker over the hole?

[jyasaki]

An accurate clock? A beer-in-the-cooler meter? Too early; can't think of anything else...

Water pressure would be good; personally, though I find that too many monitored info points just leads to me ignoring most of them. Might just be me though.


jky

[Locozodiac]

How about a hour meter if not counting with one, or a magnetic compass, just in case your GPS has a malfunction ?

Happy Boating

[biffer]

2inch depth gauge

[9D280]

You got any NMEA 2K stuff aboard?

Someone does gauges hat you can program to show you anything on the network.

I have a couple of sensors on the engine giving me head temp & coolant pressure on the plotter screen.

[4str]

This is why I love this site. I never would have thought to look for a "beer remaining in the cooler" gauge. I'm off to google it!

[4str]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

How about a hour meter if not counting with one, or a magnetic compass, just in case your GPS has a malfunction ?

Happy Boating

Now I have 2 hour meters: The new gauge set has one built in and I had installed one previously. But that was a good idea.

Not so keen on an electric compass. The regular compass works well on this boat and I have an aversion to electric compasses, every one I have tried (non boating) has been inaccurate.

Good suggestions non the less.

[4str]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Water pressure would be good; personally, though I find that too many monitored info points just leads to me ignoring most of them. Might just be me though.


jky

I think I settled on a water pressure gauge. And since this it adding another gauge that will be contributing to the "too many gauges syndrome" I searched for a pressure gauge with an alarm feature:
20P / 25P Series | Murphy by Enovation Controls

My thinking is that the main reason for a water pressure gauge is to provide a warning *before* the over temperature alarm sounds. This is not a gauge that will be scanned very much so needs a failure alarm. It will also be handy to monitor long term cooling system performance, if pressure is different than past readings it might indicate that something needs attention, like an impeller starting to fail or a clogging cooling system.