Hour Meter question

[stratos92]

My outboard (91 Evinrude 150) is in the shop now for an estimate on a rebuild. I have heard from a couple of people that I should have an hour meter. My question is...are there any benefits to installing an hour meter when I get it back and if so, is it something I can install myself?

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Hour Meter question

Nice to have but not absolutely necessary. A very easy do-it-yourself installation, just connect to the on side of your ignition and ground. It will tell you how many hours were on the motor when it finally blows up It is good to have as a reminder when maintenance is to be done if you have setup a good PM program. However for many pleasure boaters a time set up such as winterizing or annual maintenance may come up before the engine hours call for it. Most of my boats have had them but that may be because my major in college was mechanical engineering and I am enamored with such details. They are an absolute necessity on aircraft when most PM, inspections and engine overhauls are based on engine hours. My work boat also has one since engine hours must be logged in the daily reports and you have to punch the engine hours into the fuel pump when using a state credit card.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Hour Meter question

Hour meters have one nasty habit and that is that they run with the key on, even though the engine may not be running. They are a simple electric clock mechanism that clicks off time as long as 12 volts is available.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Hour Meter question

Hour meters have one nasty habit and that is that they run with the key on, even though the engine may not be running. They are a simple electric clock mechanism that clicks off time as long as 12 volts is available.

Have to agree with that. Along time ago my partner and myself had a really slow day, no activity, and spent a lot of time just drifting in the wind. About an hour before the end of our shift we docked the boat and decided to go up to the marina and have coffee. As we finished tying up we noticed that the Hobb's meter read so low it almost looked why we didn't work at all so we decided to leave the key on during our extended coffee break. As luck would have it a surprise thunderstorm popped up while we were enjoying our break so we decided to call it a day and jumped in our vehicles and went home. Four days later I remembered the key was left on and returned to the marina and turned it off. Had a heck of a time explaining to our supervisor who was not really mechanical inclined or much of a boat person why there was an extra hundred or so hours on it.

 

[stratos92]

Re: Hour Meter question

Thanks for the info. I think I will put one on when I get my motor situation squared away. I like the idea of being able to schedule the maintenance based on the hours and not just guessing. Also, if my motor is rebuilt it will be easier to time the break in period. Any thoughts on the meters with the lead that wraps around the plug wire and only counts when the engine is running? The one I saw was called tinytach I think.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Hour Meter question

Tiny Tach with hour meter will work ok but read the info carefully. They use an internal battery and that battery has a specific life. Don't know if they are replaceable.

 

[stratos92]

Re: Hour Meter question

Silvertip,
Thanks. I went to the website and it says, "Lithium battery life 5+ years, not replaceable." I guess you would need to replace the entire unit once the battery dies. I think I will go with the regular hour meter once I get the boat back.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Hour Meter question

I added one to my new used boat and like having it for maintenance and a feel for general use, fuel consumption, etc. but as others point out, know the limitations; same applies if you buy a boat with an add-on meter.