Garmin 5212

[USNA81]

I cant set the fuel remaining alarm on the Garmin display.
Since the factory cutwater fuel gauge is not accurate at cruise,( be careful, it indicates much more than actual fuel on board) I need to have a back up quantity indicator, and was hoping the fuel flow and GPH would work with the known fuel quantity, but does not as far I can tell. Tied several times to reset after filling up tank, but doesnt work
Computer should be able to start with know fuel quantity and subtract actual fuel/GPH flow to display accurate fuel quantity.

Depth Finder:
Water depth indicator on Garmin display constantly flashes even when in water depths deeper than the shallow water alarm is set?
Any ideas?

Thank you

 

[knotflying]

You need to have the engine key in the on position for the engine menu to give you the fuel and engine information. Without the key on the 5212 will not recognize the engine information.

 

[markajones]

I would suggest setting the full fuel quantity to 90 gallons. I had the close call experience of running my tank dry when the Garmin said I had 18 gallons available. The tank took 90 gallons to refill. I could account for about 8 gallons of the difference. After talking to Ronnie at CW I concluded there is 10 gallons not usable due to the shape of the fuel tank bottom and the fuel pick up location.

 

[knotflying]

Or you could set your alarm for a higher reserve to allow for the unusable fuel.

 

[baz]

When you next fill the fuel tank set the full tank value into the Garmin 5212's "fuel on board" display. As you use the engine the amount of fuel remaining will be displayed on the Garmin in the Engine Info display or in a tab digital display on the Navigation chart display.

 

[USNA81]

THANKS,
I just read on the Cutwater owners manual that you have to have an optional/seperate/ external fuel sensing unit to actually read from the Garmin display?
Otherwise you only have the analog guage, which is inaccurate except at slow idle speed only.

Is that correct?

 

[walldog]

Yes, the Garmin will give you a very accurate display of fuel remaining if you set it properly. A search of this site will give you plenty of information about the reliability of fuel tank senders and how to set up your Garmin for fuel display.

Basically you make sure that the total tank capacity is set correctly and with the engine ignition on you set the total fuel on board by setting to maximum at fill-up and the actual amount pumped in at less than fill-ups.

Always be sure to deduct a bit mentally for heater and generator use.

 

[knotflying]

THANKS,
I just read on the Cutwater owners manual that you have to have an optional/seperate/ external fuel sensing unit to actually read from the Garmin display?
Otherwise you only have the analog guage, which is inaccurate except at slow idle speed only.

Is that correct?

On all the Ranger line, as far as I know, the sending unit is installed. I can't see why it wouldn't be on the Cutwaters.

 

[Tardis]

There is a tank / sensor calibration procedure somewhere that has you run the tank empty and then do a 3-point calibration while you fill it in steps. Not sure how practical this is as running the tank empty is not a good idea. I missed my chance on a trip last year when my gauge read near half for quite a while and then accelerated toward zero in the last 5 miles. Still read 12 gal when the engine died. Fortunately this was just as I threw a rope to the guy at the fuel dock!

 

[knotflying]

Tardis,

Are you sure about that tank calibration procedure? I can't understand why a Cutwater would have a different procedure while using the same Garmin 5212 as a Tug. The 5212 uses a fuel flow method and as long as you initially input the tank capacity and amount of fuel, it will calculate fuel remaining. Initially it would be a good idea to fill the tank and start from there . It is important that each time you get fuel that you enter the quantity so that fuel remaining is accurate. Additionally in order to get the screen that shows the fuel information, the engine key must be in the on position.