Lowrance electronic EP-60R User Manual

Pub. 988-0154-432

EP-60R Fuel Flow

Electronic Sensor

Installation, Configuration and Calibration Instructions

This document shows how to install an EP-60R Fuel Flow sensor and
how to connect it to a NMEA 2000
instructions on how to configure and calibrate your fuel flow sensor
with Lowrance digital gauges (LMF-200 & LMF-400) and display units.

NMEA 2000 is the communication bus standard developed by the
National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) for use in boats.
Lowrance has introduced a line of products that can communicate over
a NMEA 2000 network (LowranceNet).

All Lowrance NMEA 2000 capable devices are either NMEA 2000
certified or certification is pending.

Caution:

Installing LowranceNET NMEA 2000 devices is significantly
different from installing earlier Lowrance components without

NMEA 2000 features. You should read all of the installation
instructions before proceeding. You should decide where to
install all components before drilling any holes in your vessel.

®

network. It also provides

Fuel Flow
module

NMEA 2000
red connector

The EP-60R Fuel Flow sensor.

1

Some sonar or GPS display units may require a software upgrade to
display NMEA 2000 data correctly. For free software upgrades or
additional information on the LowranceNet NMEA 2000

®

network

system, visit our web site, www.lowrance.com.

The EP-60R consists of a red cable connector and the sensor module.
The sensor module contains a turbine to measure fuel flow and
electronics which convert flow data to the NMEA 2000 data format.
The cable length from the connector to the smart module is 10 feet (3
meters). The sensor is designed to work with gasoline only.

WARNING:

Do not use this sensor with diesel engine fuel systems.
The EP-60R is designed only for gasoline engines.

This sensor has been optimized to measure flow rates between 0.6 to 45
gallons (US) per hour, but it will operate at flow rates outside that
range. The sensor will add 0.5 PSI of back pressure on the fuel system
with a flow rate of 20 gallons per hour. At the rate of 40 gallons per
hour, the back pressure will be 1 PSI.

The EP-60R Fuel Flow, like the other LowranceNet Electronic Probe
(EP) sensors, is designed for use with a NMEA 2000 network. Your
sensor, however, is also compatible with LowranceNet blue connector
networks. It can be added to a blue connector network by using a
female red to female blue adapter cable. Your sensor MUST be
connected to a NMEA 2000 network or it WILL NOT function.

The NMEA 2000 female red to female Blue adapter cable allows users

to add red connector devices to a blue connector network.

Tools and Supplies

Your EP sensor packs with a T connector needed to attach it to a
LowranceNET NMEA 2000 network. If this is the first sensor you are
connecting, you may also need to purchase of a LowranceNET Node
Kit.

2

LowranceNET Node Kit for a NMEA 2000 network. Includes a 2-foot

extension cable, T connector and two 120-ohm terminators.

For complete instructions on setting up a new NMEA 2000 network or
expanding an existing one, see the other document packed with your
EP-60R Fuel Flow, "Setup and Installation of NMEA 2000 Networks,
General Information" part number 988-0154-173. If that document is
unavailable, it can be downloaded free from the Lowrance web site.

Other supplies are not included, unless otherwise indicated. Required
supplies include cable ties or other fasteners to secure the hose and
cable; an inline fuel filter and any items needed to install it. Two 1"
hose clamps are included with the sensor.

We assume you already have a fuel line installed. The EP-60R Fuel
Flow was designed to fit a typical 3/8" SAE USCG Type A1 fuel hose. If
your engine has different diameter hoses or metal fuel lines, a section
of 3/8" fuel line must be installed between the sensor and the existing
lines. Recommended tools are a flathead screwdriver to tighten the
clamps and a knife to cut the fuel hose. If you need to route the sensor
connector through a bulkhead, you will need a drill and a 3/4" drill bit.

Installation

Install one EP-60R sensor per engine. If you have multiple tanks, place
the sensor after any Y or T in the line feeding the engine.

The sensor should be installed vertically, as close as possible to the fuel
tank in an area where vibration is minimized. The housing has a
molded-in, fuel flow direction arrow, which should be pointing up.
Mount the sensor above the tank's maximum fuel level to avoid
accidental fuel leakage in case the sensor becomes disconnected.

Caution:

Gasoline is extremely flammable. If possible, drain the fuel line
before you start or shut any flow valves located at the tank. Keep
sparks and flame away from the work area. After installation,
remember to clean up any spilled fuel.

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Cut the fuel hose where you intend to install the EP-60R sensor. Slide
a clamp over the hose coming from the tank, then push the hose onto
the bottom (inlet) hose barb.

Seat the hose flush against the sensor housing, then tighten the hose
clamp. Attach the hose leading to the engine on the top (outlet) barb in
the same way.

To

engine

Flow
direction

From

tank

Push the fuel line onto the hose barb, then tighten the hose clamp.

Orient the sensor vertically, with the flow arrow pointing up.

NOTE:

You must install an in-line fuel filter between the tank and the EP­60R sensor. This will prevent a malfunction caused by
contaminated fuel. Debris in unfiltered fuel can clog the sensor's
turbine and result in rough performance or engine shut down.

As with any fuel system, we recommend you always carry onboard
a spare fuel filter and an in-line 3/8" splice barb. This allows you to
remove a clogged EP-60R fuel sensor or fuel filter and restore
engine operation if the fuel filter fails. We strongly recommend that
you inspect your entire fuel system at regular intervals.

Secure the sensor/hose assembly so the sensor remains in a vertical
position with the flow direction up. Clamp the hose on either side of the
sensor to the hull or bulkhead to minimize vibration.

Route the sensor's cable connector to the T on the network backbone
where you intend to attach it, and plug it in. The sensor is ready to use.

4

Connecting to a NMEA 2000 Network

A NMEA 2000 network is a communications link between two or more
devices that transfer NMEA 2000 information. LowranceNET is the
NMEA 2000 networking system developed by Lowrance Electronics. A
NMEA 2000 network functions like the phone wiring in a house.

If, for example, you pick up a phone in the living room you will be able
to hear the conversation someone is having on a phone in the bedroom.

In similar fashion, a NMEA 2000 network allows multiple display units
to receive data from a GPS antenna or multiple sonar units to receive
messages sent by a temperature sensor. A NMEA 2000 network gives
you the flexibility to view information like engine diagnostics and fuel
level data on digital gauges or display units located anywhere on your
boat.

There are two types of LowranceNet red connectors: the single T

connector (left) and the double T connector (right).

Network Backbone and Network Nodes

A network bus backbone consists of network cabling, terminators and T
connectors. Network nodes are made by fitting T-shaped connectors into
the backbone (using the sockets on the sides) and attaching any network
device to the bottom of the T.

Staying with the previous phone wiring example, T connectors on the
backbone are the equivalent of phone jacks spread throughout a house.
To pick up a phone and be able to hear a conversation from another
phone in the house, both phones have to be connected to the main phone
line. In similar fashion, only sensors and display units plugged into the
NMEA network can share information. The network backbone is like the
phone wiring that runs throughout a home.

It connects the network nodes, allowing them to communicate across the
network. Connections found in the middle of the bus could have T
connectors or backbone network cable plugged into one or both sides.

Connections at the end of a network will have the backbone cable plugged
into one side and a terminator plugged into the other, as shown in the
following figure.

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Terminator at
the end of the
backbone (bus)

Cap for unused
connector

Double T
connector

Backbone cable
(to rest of bus)

Cable from
sensor or
display unit

NMEA 2000 network node located at the end of a NMEA 2000 backbone.

NOTE:

If you have a double T Connector on your network that is not
attached to a device, you must cap the unused connector with a
NMEA 2000 cap. This will protect the pin connectors from
corrosion. The NMEA 2000 cap looks like a terminator, but has
"Cap" stamped into the connector housing.

All T connectors on your network probably will be connected to a device.
If you want to add another node to a working network, add another T
connector. T connectors may be purchased from LEI (ordering
information appears on the back page of this booklet). If you are adding a
Lowrance or LEI NMEA 2000 sensor, it will come with a T connector.

Adding a Network Node

You can add a node to any existing connection, anywhere along the
network backbone. This connection could be between a T connector and a
terminator, between two T connectors, between a T connector and a
backbone extension cable or between two extension cables. Wherever you
want to add the new node, separate the sockets of the existing connection
and install the T connector between them. If you want to add a node at
the end of the backbone (network bus) remove the terminator from the
last connector, like the figure above. Install the new T connector and
attach the terminator to the side of the connector.

6

Use T-connector or double T connector to add
device to bus (maintaining linear architecture)

Attach
terminator at
end of bus

In this example, a new device is added to the NMEA 2000 bus by

installing a T connector between a T connector and a terminator at the

end of the backbone (network bus).

Backbone cable
to rest of bus

Existing network
node

Devices connect to
double T connector

Additional Network Information

For more information on creating or expanding a network refer to the
NMEA 2000 network setup booklet, part number 988-0154-173, which
came packed with this document.

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Notes

8

LMF-200: EP-60R

Configuration & Calibration

This section covers how to use the EP-60R Fuel Flow with a LMF-200
Multi-function gauge.

NOTE:

You will notice the LMF-200 does not have an Exit key. Menus will
time out after a preset amount of time (3, 5, 10 or 15 seconds). The
default setting is 5 seconds. Refer to your LMF-200 instruction
manual for more information on the Timeout feature.

LMF-200 Multi-function Digital Gauge

Boat Setup

If this is the first time you have turned on your LMF-200, you will have
to complete Boat Setup before you will be able to configure or calibrate
your fuel flow. If you have already completed Boat Setup, skip ahead to
the segment covering EP-60R Fuel Flow Configuration.

To execute Boat Setup:

1. With Boat Setup highlighted on the screen, press MENU. The Boat
Setup menu will appear, allowing you to select an engine-tank
configuration to match the number of engines and fuel tanks on your
vessel. Boat Setup options include: 1 En/1 Tk, 1 En/2 Tk, 2 En/1 Tk, 2
En/2 Tk, 3 En/1 Tk and 3 En/3 Tk.

2. Select the correct configuration option and press
selected a configuration with more than one tank, the Tank Size menu
will appear. (If you selected a single tank configuration you will be
taken directly to the Tank Size window, where you can input the size of
the tank.)

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MENU. If you

3. Select the tank you want to set up and press

MENU, which will open

the Tank Size window.

4. Use the
will hold and press

UP and DOWN keys to input the number of gallons the tank

MENU. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each additional

tank. After all tanks have been set up, you will be directed to the main
display.

Boat Setup Reset

If you want to access the Setup screen (Boat Setup) after an engine­tank configuration has been chosen you will have to reset the
configuration to default settings.

To reset engine tank configuration:

1. Press MENU, highlight SYSTEM SETUP and press MENU.

2. Choose

ENG/TANK and press MENU twice. The following message will

appear: Hit menu to reset Eng/Tnk.

3. Press

MENU. The Setup screen will appear with Boat Setup

highlighted.

Fuel Remaining Source (FRem Src)

The Fuel Remaining source function allows you to select the device
used to measure the amount of fuel remaining in the tank. It will be set
to fluid level by default.

To set Fuel Remaining Source to Fuel Flow (Eng/FFlow):

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU. Select FUEL MNGR and press MENU.

2. Highlight

FREM SRC and press MENU. That will open the FRem Src

menu, which has two options: Eng/FFlow and Fuel level.

3. Select

ENG/FFLOW and press MENU. You can now view fuel remaining

data from the EP-60R.

EP-60R Fuel Flow Configuration

The LMF-200 can support up to three engines with one fuel flow sensor
for each engine. Each fuel flow has an internal menu with the following
options: Unset Engine, Change Engine (multiple engines only), Fuel
Warning, Reset and Reset Calibration.

To configure a fuel flow:

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU.

2. Highlight
Devices list will appear.

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B. DEVICES and press MENU. After a few moments, the Bus

3. Select
Hit Menu to Cfg Flow Sns. Press

UNCFG FF and press MENU. The following message will appear:

MENU and the Configuration options

menu will appear.

NOTE:

If your unit is set to a single-engine configuration, the
Configuration Options menu will not appear when you are
configuring a fuel flow. The fuel flow will automatically be
configured as Eng FFlow.

4. Select the desired option and press

MENU. You will be directed to the

Bus Devices list. Configure remaining fuel flows by following the steps
above.

To unconfigure a fuel flow:

You will use the Unset Engine command when you want to unconfigure
a fuel flow.

To unset engine:

1. Press
press

2. Highlight

MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and

MENU.

B. DEVICES and press MENU. After a few moments, the Bus

Devices list will appear.

3. Select the fuel flow you want to unconfigure and press

4. Highlight
following message: Hit Menu to Unset Dev Name.

UNSET ENGINE and press MENU which will launch the

MENU.

5. Press MENU and you will be taken back to the Bus Devices list. The
newly unconfigured fuel flow will be displayed as

To reconfigure a fuel flow:

UNCFG FF.

You will use the Change Engine command to reconfigure a Fuel Flow.
Change Engine, however, will only appear on your LMF-200 menu if
you have more than one engine. If you want to reconfigure a fuel flow,
but all the fuel flows on your vessel are configured, you first will have
to unconfigure a fuel flow to free up its configuration name.

If all three fuel flows are configured, which means there is no name
configuration available, follow the first set of instructions. If the desired
configuration name is available, follow the second set of instructions.

Change Engine (Active only with multiple-engine setting)

The Change Engine command allows you to change the configuration
name of a fuel flow. The steps below show how to switch the
configuration name of a fuel flow from Port to Starboard.

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If all fuel flows configured (Configuration name unavailable):

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU.

2. Highlight

B. DEVICES and press MENU. The Bus Devices list will

appear.

3. Select the Port FFlow and press

4. Highlight

UNSET ENGINE and press MENU. The following message will

MENU.

appear: Hit Menu to Unset Dev Name.

5. Press

MENU and you will be taken back to the Bus Devices menu,

where fuel flow (formerly Port FFlow) now will be displayed as UnCfg
FFlow.
Remember: If the fuel flow you just unconfigured is not shown on the

Bus Devices the list, you will have to refresh the list. Let the Bus Devices
list time out then access it again.

6. Highlight

MENU, which will open the Select Engine menu with up to three

STBD FFLOW and press MENU. Select CHANGE ENGINE and press

options: Port, Cen, Stbd.

7. Highlight

PORT and press MENU.

8. You will be taken back to the Bus Devices list, where the fuel flow
you selected (formerly Stbd FFlow) will now be shown as Port FFlow. If
the newly configured fuel flow is not shown, refresh the Bus Devices
list.

9. Now, select

UNCFG FFLOW and press MENU. The following message will

appear: Hit Menu to Cfg Flow Sns.

10. Press
Starboard and press

MENU, which will open the Select Engine menu. Highlight

MENU. You will be directed to the Bus Devices list

where the fuel flow now will be displayed as Stbd FFlow. If the newly
configured fuel flow is not shown, refresh the Bus Devices list.

If configuration name available:

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU.

2. Highlight

B. DEVICES and press MENU. After a few moments, the Bus

Devices list will appear.

3. Highlight

MENU, which will open the Select Engine menu with up to three

PORT FFLOW and press MENU. Select CHANGE ENGINE and press

options: Port, Cen, Stbd.

4. Highlight

STARBOARD and press MENU.

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5. You will be taken back to the Bus Devices list, where the fuel flow
you selected (formerly Port FFlow) will be listed as Stbd FFlow. If the
newly configured fuel flow is not shown, refresh the Bus Devices list.

Reset

The Reset command in the Fuel Flow level menu will clear the sensor’s
configuration and calibration settings.

NOTE:

After using the Reset command, you will have to re-enter your
engine-tank configuration. It, however, will not affect the
configuration or calibration of other devices on the network.

To reset fuel flow settings:

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU.

2. Highlight

B. DEVICES and press MENU. After a few moments, the Bus

Devices list will appear.

3. Select the desired fuel flow and press

MENU and the following message will appear: Hit Menu to Rst Values.

4. Press

MENU to reset fuel flow values to default settings.

MENU. Highlight RESET, press

EP-60R Fuel Flow Calibration

The factory calibration settings for the EP-60R Fuel Flow should be
within 3 percent, so calibration will not be necessary in most cases.

NOTE:

Make sure the fuel flow has been set as the Fuel Remaining Source;
otherwise, you will not be able to calibrate the fuel flow.

Fuel Flow Accuracy

To check fuel flow accuracy, you must add the Fuel Manager page to
the page screen rotation and then customize it with Fuel Used data.

To add Fuel Manager page to the display:

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select PAGES and press

MENU, which will open the Pages menu with the following options: Add

Page, Rem Page, Autoscroll and Set Pop-up.

2. Select ADD PAGE and press MENU.

3. Highlight
taken back to the main display.

NOTE:

Make sure the Fuel Remaining Source has been set to Fuel Flow.

FUEL MANAGER (Fuel Mngr) and press MENU. You will be

13

To customize Fuel Manager page:

1. With the Fuel Manager page displayed on the main display, press

MENU, select CUSTOMIZE and press MENU.

2. Highlight

USD (Fuel Used) and press MENU. If your unit is configured

for more than one tank, the Select Tank menu will appear. (If your
engine-tank configuration is set for one tank, you will be directed to the
main display.)

3. Select the desired option and press

MENU. You will be directed to the

main display.

To check fuel flow accuracy:

1. Make sure your Fuel Remaining Source has been set to Fuel Flow
then fill up the fuel tank connected to the EP-60R Fuel Flow you want
to calibrate. Press

SETUP and press MENU.

MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM

2. Highlight

FUEL MNGR and press MENU. Select REFILL T. and press MENU.

If your unit is configured for more than one tank, the Select Tank menu
will open. Select the tank you refilled and press

MENU. (If your unit is

configured for one tank, you will be taken directly to the Recalibration
menu.)

3. The Recalibration (ReCal?) menu will appear with two options: Yes
and No. Select

NO and press MENU. The following message will appear:

Hit Menu if Tank filled up.

4. Press

MENU, which will direct you to the main display.

5. Take your boat out, but use only ONE engine — the engine
connected to the fuel flow. Burn at least 5 gallons of fuel, then fill up
the tank again, noting how much fuel was added to the tank. Check the
Fuel Management page for the fuel used figure calculated by the EP­60R Fuel Flow.

6. Compare the amount of fuel you added when you filled up the tank
with the EP-60R Fuel Used figure. If the difference between these two
numbers is greater than 3 percent, you need to calibrate the unit.

To calibrate a fuel flow:

7. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU.

8. Highlight

FUEL MNGR and press MENU. Select REFILL T. and press MENU.

If your unit is configured for more than one tank, the Select Tank menu
will open. Select the tank you refilled and press

MENU. (If your unit is

configured for one tank, you will be taken directly to the Recalibration
menu.)

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9. The Recalibration (The Recal?) menu will appear with two options:
Yes and No. Select

YES and press MENU.

NOTE:

If you do not have the fuel remaining source set to Eng/FFlow, the
recalibration message will not appear.

10. The Filled Quantity window will appear. Use the
keys to input the amount of fuel you added to the tank and press

UP and DOWN

MENU.

11. Repeat these steps for each fuel flow you want to calibrate.

Reset Calibration

The Reset Calibration command allows you to reset a fuel flow
calibration back to factory defaults.

To Reset Calibration:

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU.

2. Highlight
reset and press

3. Select

B. DEVICES and press MENU. Select the fuel flow you want to

MENU.

RST CAL from the fuel flow menu and press MENU. The

following message will appear: Hit Menu to Rst the Cal.

4. Press

MENU to set calibration back to factory default settings. To

recalibrate the fuel flow, refer to the fuel flow calibration instructions
in this section.

Refill Tank (Refill T)

Since the EP-60R is not connected to the tank, its fuel information is
not automatically updated when the tank is filled up. You must use the
Refill Tank command to ensure the fuel information in the EP-60R
stays consistent with the amount of fuel actually in the tank.

To refill tank:

1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press

MENU. Highlight FUEL MNGR and press MENU.

2. Select

REFILL T and press MENU. If your unit is configured for more

than one tank, the Select Tank menu will appear with up to three
options. (If you are using a single tank configuration, you will not see
the Select Tank menu.)

3. Select the desired tank and press
appear:

Hit Menu if Tank filled up. Press MENU and you will be taken

MENU. The following message will

you back to the main display.

Partial Fill (Part Fill)

Since the EP-60R is not connected to the tank, its fuel information is
not automatically updated when fuel is added to the tank. When you

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