If your business relies on diesel-powered vehicles or machinery for operations, you can benefit from real-time data on fuel consumption rates. Using a diesel flow meter (DFM) can make it much easier for you to monitor fuel usage and detect fuel theft or leaks, or inefficiencies in diesel usage.
So, what are the key features of diesel flow meters and how can they help with your operations? Find out the answers in this guide.
What Data Can Diesel Flow Meters Provide?
Quality diesel fuel flow meters are designed to measure the precise amount of diesel that gets consumed. There are different types of fuel flow meters and those with pump nozzles or common rail fuel injection systems are considered the most precise.
These fuel meters can be used as standalone systems as well as part of vehicle tracking systems. They are installed directly on the engine fuel line, providing real-time fuel data and constant visibility. When used with advanced telematics, these meters can provide unapparelled control over fuel usage. You can use the historical data provided to locate fleet vehicles, idling patterns, and count engine operational hours. The data can also help detect signs of maintenance requirements.
Some of the main areas of data sets that can be accessed with the help of fuel flow meters include:
- Fuel Consumption: This includes instant, hourly in-feed/return lines, and total fuel consumption. Fuel flow meters can also measure fuel idling, negative, and overload fuel consumption.
- Engine Operational Hours: This includes engine operating time in hours and for idling, negative, and overload.
- Additional Features: This can include engine operational hours in interference and tempering modes, and current engine operation mode according to given fuel temperature, fuel consumption rate, and battery charge.
Thus, diesel fuel flow meters help with much more than measuring fuel consumption. They also assist with engine performance and engine run time monitoring. You can also use them to help with smart fuel management for cost optimization and reduced emissions.
Applications & Features of DFM
Diesel flow meters are used for fuel consumption measurement in a wide range of vehicles and equipment. This includes different types of tractors, loaders, fleet vehicles, earthmoving equipment, stationary machines with diesel engines, boats and ships, and diesel generators.
Some of the key features of quality DFMs are as follows:
- Providing protection against tampering or unauthorized interference
- Durable chamber for precise measurement
- Resistance against hydraulic impact and vibration
- Meeting road and marine standards
- Testing on the metrologically certified installation
Advantages of Using a Diesel Fuel Flow Meter
Diesel flow meters can play an important role in helping reduce fuel and repair costs. They can also help predict fuel consumption. Since these components come with built-in batteries, they can operate even during times of power failure or cable disconnection.
An important reason for the widespread popularity of the diesel flow meter is that its readings are not affected by fuel fluctuations inside the tank. This means you can get precise readings in different situations, including the following:
- When fuel fluctuations take place in the tank while driving on rough terrains. This can be beneficial for use on off-road vehicles and agricultural equipment.
- There are long-lasting inclines that affect the fuel tank’s position. This can be useful for vehicles or equipment that often get parked on steep inclines. Examples include asphalt milling machines, rotary hoes, and more.
Thus, diesel flow meters can be used to accurately measure fuel consumption rates without having to worry about the fuel tank’s configuration. They can replace the use of other devices that may be prone to errors in such situations. Thus, there are many reasons for using DFMs in different types of scenarios.