Electronics question...
 

Hello all, because you guys are the all knowing gurus about all things boats I'd like to find out your thoughts on the Navman brand of marine electronics.
I have a 20ft '79 Regal CC that I'm rebuilding with a 2002 Mercury 225. Navman ties in with Mercury SmartCraft of my engine and I like their fuel monitoring options as well as the changeable displays.
Any thoughts?

TIA

David
BERMUDA

Re: Electronics question...
 

a friend of mine has a new navman bottom machine and smart system . It works great,he is having some problems with fuel starvation occasionally (always late in the day?), but the system itself is really sweet. I think the bottom machine is a 6000? (not sure offhand) but it is color and seems to work pretty good. not sure if that was any help-lol [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Electronics question...
 

A little off subject here, but boaters world has color Garmin 182c's for sale for $499!! I'm pretty sure these same units were well over $1,000 a year ago. I think they are going to discontinue the 182 series for I think the 192 series.

Re: Electronics question...
 

What type of Fuel starvation? Is the boat outboard powered?. I have a Navman fuel monitor and it works well but sometimes I have problems with fuel starvation. Also late in the day. I think the little in line fuel sensor is causing it. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Re: Electronics question...
 

hmmm, thats interesting bryan-sounds like mikes. his is a 350 magnum efi mercruiser w / bravo 1 outdrive- 1 year old. he has had a hell of a time trying to isolate the problem and still hasnt yet. That little filter is a pos design. he has changed the filters several times thinking water in the tank ( and thats what the seller still thinks) the tank was new only 3 or 4 years ago and im not buying it. our next test - is to take a 6 gallon tank along with us , then when it starts acting up- tie in the 6 gallon tank and see what happens. kinda cold to be breaking down this time of year so im not sure about R and D right now. Think I would rather take my boat [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. Ill let you know what happens or please let us know if you figure out a fix before we do. craig

Re: Electronics question...
 

Bryan
You might want to make sure the Navman is mounted higher than your fuel/water separator. At first I had a problem with collapsing the primer bulb until I shifted it's position.
I have the same system but nothing stops that big 250hp of mine from sucking the gas! I only wish it did some sipping vs guzzeling [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Electronics question...
 

The sensor is slightly below the filter, more like on the same level. Spliced in between the motor and the water seperator. I must have missed that in the manual, i'll check when I get home. Thanks for the insight. I will try relocating it but what does that do? How does more fuel flow, am I missing something. I am sure I'll figue it out right after I post this but I will definetly try it. Thanks Capt. Chuck.

Re: Electronics question...
 

Bryan

I don't have the Navman manual handy but I know that it is one of the requirements for proper installation.
Mine is installed in the following order, each being mounted in a higher position: [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

TANK -----> Raycor filter -----> Navman Fuel -----> Primer Bulb -------> Engine

Re: Electronics question...
 

with the efi you are not supposed to run the navman sensor between the filter and the motor. In fact the smart track thing uses its own technology so the navman itself isnt required and in fact was contributing to the problem my buddy was/is having. just sumptim to think about.

Re: Electronics question...
 

I just bought a Navman 2100 fuel monitor, but have not installed it yet. Are you guys telling me that I might have made a mistake..? It would be better to know now than later.

Re: Electronics question...
 

no not at all, mine is one of the best investments i ever made in my boat and i love the thing- but i have a carbed inboard 350- you just need to read the manual/instructions and make sure your application,model , installation and motor agree with each other- i dont want to confuse you with the issues my bud has with his motor-

Re: Electronics question...
 

No, the previous post was correct Merc motors 2002+ don't need the navman fuel unit Smart System will do it for you, but with motors 2002- it is needed.
I've been so impressed with the features that Navman offers ALL my electronics will be Navman. I have a 7200VHF and am just trying to decide which combo of fishfinder/GPS to get now. I was thinking of the all in one units but am leaning toward seperate pieces now, not in the least for the 2 screen possibilities.

Re: Electronics question...
 

I have had my Navman fuel monitor for three years now with intermident problems througout the seasons. The symptoms were fuel starvation when I would try to get up on plane. I have it installed as Chuck described as far as order but physically the fuel sensor is slightly lower than the fuel filter, it is still like that but the boat is out of the water now. I have replaced any clamp I could find in the fuel system including inside the engine because my assumption was the in line monitor was putting a strain on all the connections causing an air leak. After that I would still have problems occasionally. This season I had to replace my VRO because the diaphram was ripped, I chalked it up to old age because the motor is a 96. Did the Navman fuel sensor cause a strain on the fuel pump and rip the VRO diaphram?????? Maybe.
The unit has been great for keeping track of fuel but the problems suck. I am seriously considering disconnecting the thing and keep track of fuel the old fashioned way. The reason I bought the thing was to avoid fixing the FOUR fuel guage senders on top of the Four tanks on my boat. Any other stories or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Electronics question...
 

one other thing i noticed about the one i am talking about is when he removed it he had replaced those plastic retaining rings that connect the hose with stainless hose clamps. he overtightened them(doesnt take much since they are plastic, and crushed/kinked the inlet or outlet i dont remember which one now but that in itself would restrict fuel flow greatly..

Re: Electronics question...
 

Thats a very good point Miles and that could be a significant cause for interruption. On the other hand, I had concerns about the big block HP motors being restricted by the Navman but was assured "not to worry" after reading several threads on other forums. I'm not a motor mechanic at all but fuel starvation sounds like a fuel pump or some sort of line problem. If the lines are old, I think I would start by replacing all the clamps and fuel lines with new 3/8" all the way http://floridasportsman.com/art/scratch.gif