New Hourmeter Install

[bick]

I have a 2008 Horizon 180 I recently purchased. I want to add an hourmeter close to the other gauges since there is a perfect spot to install there. I tested the fuse block under the dash and every fuse position has power all the time (after adding a fuse) even with the key off.

Where should I wire to? I must be missing something... thanks!

Also, is it possible to use a scan tool to read the current hours on the engine? (2008 VP 3.0 GLP-J)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New Hourmeter Install

The reason fuse panels are powered whether the key is on or not is that you wouldn't want to sit listening to your radio with the key on/engine off would you?? The fuse panel is powered by separate circuit (normally a pair of #8 lor #10) wires directly from the battery. The switches on the console control whatever is connected to them. Besides, the +12 volt wire in the ENGINE harness is used to power only the instruments -- and your hour meter. That circuit is NOT intended to power a bunch of accessories. Every gauge on the dash has a +12volt and ground connection except the speedometer. Make your connections to any of the gauges. The hour meter runs only when the key is on. Study that statement carefully. The engine does not have to be running to make the meter run since it is simply a 12 volt clock mechanism.

 

[Don S]

Re: New Hourmeter Install

Where should I wire to? I must be missing something

any purple wire going from the ignition switch to the instruments are where you should hook up an hour meters + wire, use the ground on the same inst for the - wire.

Also, is it possible to use a scan tool to read the current hours on the engine? (2008 VP 3.0 GLP-J)

Yes,

 

[bick]

Re: New Hourmeter Install

any purple wire going from the ignition switch to the instruments are where you should hook up an hour meters + wire, use the ground on the same inst for the - wire.

Thanks. I should not use the ground at the fuse panel when wiring the + to a purple wire?

 

[NYBo]

Re: New Hourmeter Install

Thanks. I should not use the ground at the fuse panel when wiring the + to a purple wire?

It will work, but daisy-chaining off the closest gauge will keep the two electrical systems separate, and will probably result in a shorter wire run.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New Hourmeter Install

Ground is ground regardless where you find it. But why not use the closest connection which would be the adjacent gauge.

 

[bick]

Re: New Hourmeter Install

Thanks everyone for the help. I appreciate it!

 

[bick]

Re: New Hourmeter Install

I got it installed & working fine today thanks to everyone's help. I removed the taping around a large wire bundle under the instruments and found a purple wire that has 12 volts only when the key is on. I soldered my hourmeter red wire to that and then ran the hourmeter black wire to ground and it works perfectly. Everything all taped back up and wire tied as it came from the factory. Now I just wish I knew the existing hours on the engine. I know it is very low.

I heard that you can get it read with an OBD2 scan gauge? Where would it plug in? Would a cheap automotive OBD2 scanner read it?

 

[NYBo]

Re: New Hourmeter Install

Would a cheap automotive OBD2 scanner read it?

They don't scan that type of info in a car, so I doubt they would be able to do so in a boat.