installing a new hour meter

[teslaman]

I'm installing a new hour meter on my rebuilt 73 115hp Johnson. I would like to wire the meter to the control box in such a way that it only operates if the engine is running. I want to avoid clocking hours while only the accessory switch is on.

I haven't looked on a diagram to see which wires I should tap, any suggeations?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: installing a new hour meter

An hour meter is a simple electric clock. As long as it has power it will record time. You cannot wire it in a manner that it will record time only if the engine is running. The only way that would be possible is if the hour meter ran off the Tach signal and none of them do. If the ignition key is on (whether or not the engine is actually running) the meter will record time. The hourmeter has only two connections -- ground and +12V. You don't need to run a wire to the control box. Connect to the +12V terminal on the tach, fuel, temp, or voltmeter.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: installing a new hour meter

If you wanted to get fancy you could try hooking up some sort of temperature switch on the engine to control the gauge to make it run only when the engine was at operating temp...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: installing a new hour meter

Just hook it up to switched +12V and don't overcomplicate an uncomplicated situation.

 

[teslaman]

Re: installing a new hour meter

Thanks for the help. I'll just hook it to the tach, the wire +12V wire is already there.

 

[imported_airxsteel]

Re: installing a new hour meter

TinyTach should work for this. It is just twisted around the spark plug wire, and counts the rpm's there and hours. So if the plugs are working, it will be counting hours.

I am thinking about getting one for my boat as well.

http://www.tinytach.com/tinytach/index.php

 

[Silvertip]

Re: installing a new hour meter

Tiny tach should work for what? This thread is about an hour meter, not tachometers.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: installing a new hour meter

Tiny tach should work for what? This thread is about an hour meter, not tachometers.

So if the plugs are working, it will be counting hours.

Just another option.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: installing a new hour meter

Click the 'forbidden' link TinyTac has an hour meter built in.

DHP

 

[Silvertip]

Re: installing a new hour meter

Yup -- that would work! d