Calculating actual fuel consumption (how to)

 


I would like to calculate actual fuel consumption on a diesel generator
used for power generation.
The obvious answer would be to use a flow-meter, but for various
reasons (including price!) that might not be practical. My question is,
is it possible to use another indicator (such as engine hours, RPM,
etc.) to accurately estimate the fuel consumption? Or in other words,
if such methods are used, how inaccurate can/would they be and what are
the reasons/factors for this?

Thanks

 

They are all about the same within some tolerance. Manufacturers web
site lists Specific Fuel Consumption for full load and half load. That
good enough? How about this: fill it up, not gallons in tank. turn it
on,  plug in some lamps, look at your watch. When it stops, look at
your watch. Compute gallons per hour.

 


I think it's easier to fill the tank to the top or maybee use a stick
or something with a mark on it to find the current level in the tank.

Then use the generator for a given time and load. Refuel until the
same level is reached, while noting how mutch diesel you are pouring
in.

--
SEE YA !!!
Trygve Lillefosse
AKA - Malawi, The Fisher King

 

If you do go with a fuel flow meter look to see if your engine has a fuel
return line from the injectors. If it does just disconnect it and capture
the fuel being returned to the tank then subtract that from the fuel used.
- Allen

 



The computer is most "modern" fuel injected cars will display fuel
consumption data.   The computer "knows" how much fuel is being used because
the computer tells the fuel injectors exactly how much gas to inject.

What I am getting to is that between the RPM and the fuel injector setting
you have a very good idea of exactly how much fuel is being consumed.