Faria Hourmeter Makes Noise. Normal?

[Yachtsman1304]

I have a new-to-me 2000 Volvo Penta 5.0 PEFS that starts, runs, and idles perfectly. When the key is on, and whether running or not, I have a distinct "click" that appears to be coming from behind the dash (guessing the volt meter, but I have not had confirmed that that). It is fairly regular as it happens about every minute. There is a slight deflection of the volt meter when it occurs. It is not a fast click, but it seems to have about a 1/4 duration. It is almost like a clock that is stuck if that makes sense. Any ideas? As I write this, I wonder if the hour meter may be somehow involved... The hour meter is not a digital one, but an odometer type. And, that is mounted about knee level below the dash.

Has anybody ever noticed anything like this?

 

[alldodge]

I have a new-to-me 2000 Volvo Penta 5.0 PEFS that starts, runs, and idles perfectly. When the key is on, and whether running or not, I have a distinct "click" that appears to be coming from behind the dash (guessing the volt meter, but I have not had confirmed that that). It is fairly regular as it happens about every minute. There is a slight deflection of the volt meter when it occurs. It is not a fast click, but it seems to have about a 1/4 duration. It is almost like a clock that is stuck if that makes sense. Any ideas? As I write this, I wonder if the hour meter may be somehow involved... The hour meter is not a digital one, but an odometer type. And, that is mounted about knee level below the dash.

Has anybody ever noticed anything like this?

Sounds like the hour meter to me. Go behind the helm and disconnect it to see if it goes away

 

[Silvertip]

That is indeed the hour meter. And if it makes the voltmeter deflect, I would be making a trip tot he local auto store to have the battery load tested. The hour meter draws very little current and it should not make the voltmeter wiggle one bit.

 

[Yachtsman1304]

I will check into that Silvertip. That would be odd as they are brand new batteries...but anything is possible I guess. However, it almost makes me think there may be an issue with the meter. I cannot ever remember one actually making any noise while in operation.

 

[Silvertip]

If the hour meter is digital, turn the key on and watch it. The 1/10 indicator will click. The voltmeter cannot click. You are seeing a reaction to a current draw, not a defective voltmeter. Brand new batteries that are not fully charged can react the same way as an old battery that is going to battery heaven or not fully charged. If the clicking turns out to NOT be the hour meter, then look for an automatic reset circuit breaker. That click would be the breaker opening and resetting. If that's the case, you have an electrical problem in the circuit that breaker protects.

 

[Yachtsman1304]

Thanks again Silvertip. I should have clarified on the "meter" I was speaking about. The voltmeter is new (just replaced it) and functions as intended. The hour meter is a Faria analog type. I will look at it more tonight. Thanks for the reminder on the automatic reset circuit breaker possibility.

 

[UncleWillie]

Confirm what is actually doing the clicking before doing anything else.
Is there a chance that there is an automatic live well controller cycling under there?

 

[Yachtsman1304]

I confirmed it is the hour meter. Can anybody with a Faria hour meter tell me does the "minute bar" move smoothly or does it "jump"? When the minute bar jumps, that's where the noise is coming from. Mine apparently has one light section and one dark section. I am speaking about the far right side of the gauge as you look at it. I have always had digital hourmeters so maybe this noise is normal. Can anybody confirm?

 

[alldodge]

Unable to say anything with the minute bar, but the voltmeter could jump around with slight changes from other issues. Been chasing mine off and on for a few years, not real hard chase but just the same. Mine seams to stay low and takes very little to change. Rev the engine up and it starts to stabilize but still takes very little to make it move. Put my good meters on the same terminals and they don't move in the same way. Even when using a Simpson 260. In the end I just don't worry about it.

Now your click is a different issue and it appears you have a digital hour meter and an analog tach

 

[Yachtsman1304]

AllDodge, even with my engine off but the key on, the hourmeter does it and when it does its "click", the volt meter deflects. It's not a huge deal, but I am just trying to figure out if the Faria hourmeter (analog) is working like it should. I can access the back of the gauge from the top of the dash but actually replacing the gauge would cause me to tear half of my dash off.

I am well on my way to your way of thinking...don't worry about it and just drive it. I am just trying to get used to all the new noises and subtleties of my boat.

 

[Silvertip]

The noise is perfectly normal. All of my hour meters made the click. And just so you know, it is normal for "most" hour meters to read when the engine is off but the key is ON. Some of the high quality units, like those built into a tach for example would use the tack signal to trigger tach operation. It still runs on 12 volts but the trigger tells the hour meter the engine is actually running.

 

[Yachtsman1304]

Thanks Silvertip. Mine is NOT a high dollar unit and continues on whether the engine is running or if the key is just on. I think some of them actually use the oil pressure switch as well to ensure they are only counting RUNNING engine hours. Thanks again for your time.

 

[UncleWillie]

The Hour meter is clicking every time the digits advance, indicates that the display is solenoid activated.
During the Click, the hour meter may draw a few a few 10's of milliamp.
If the battery is at 12.60v and the voltmeter and the hour meter are far from the battery,
the voltage at the meter might drop to 12.55v for an instant due to the voltage drop in the long wire run.
If you are seeing just the slightest movement of the voltmeter, this may be the reason.

Measure the voltage at the volt meter with a portable meter to confirm this.
Keep in mind that both meters will me measuring the voltage at the dash and not the voltage of the battery.
The two voltage will differ by the voltage drop in the wiring, and that will vary as the current draw changes.
A 0.1 to 0.2 volt difference is not beyond reason.

 

[Yachtsman1304]

Thanks UncleWillie. I think I have put this to bed for now as being normal. The little click every minute or so will be something that I will just get used to and ignore in time. Being a new-to-me boat, I am sure I am just listening super close to everything to make sure all is well.

And you are right, it is just a slight movement in the voltmeter when it advances.