Replacing tach hourmeter combo over repair - will hours reset and should I care?

[keith2k455]

So I pulled the tach out of the 210 and am getting ready to send it in, but now Faria has repair charges listed on their website. Seeing $125 for the repair, I decided to see what I can find for replacement. I can get a new Chesepeake model Faria gage that will match pretty closely (no Crownline emblem, numbers a little different, but still black back and chrome ring) for $120.

The boat has 204hrs on it right now and although I have only owned it for 1 year, I believe the hours are accurate. If I replace the gage with a different one, my questions are:

Will the hours on the new gage start at 0?
Should I care if the hours reset to 0?
Would there be any substantial downside to not repairing my factory gage that I don't see?
Will my repaired tach even keep it's listed hours (will it reset to 0)?
Am I just being too darn cheap and should just send in the one I have?

Thanks for your opinions here...I figure that once I pay for shipping it may cost me $30 - $50 more to keep the gage I currently have.

 

[GA_Boater]

If you get a new instrument the hours will start at zero. No telling what will happen if the old one is repaired. What you can do is mark the hours on the back of the case. At 204 hours, it isn't much to worry about.

 

[rickryder]

I know my new hour meter if I leave the key in the on position the hour meter runs.....so if you hooked yours up to a battery would it run up the hours to your original 204? just a thought....

 

[tpenfield]

There is no way for the new gauge to know the hours from the old gauge, so yes it will start at 0 hours.

I would get a new one rather than do the repair, since you can find one that is very similar.

Your could run the hours up via a battery as suggested to keep it consistent with the actual hours on the engine.

 

[keith2k455]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm kind of thinking New one to avoid the hassle. I like the idea of marking the hours over letting it sit energized for over a week.

Does anyone know how long the old tach should keep the hours stored? I was thinking about keeping it around just in case or for future reference.

 

[gm280]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm kind of thinking New one to avoid the hassle. I like the idea of marking the hours over letting it sit energized for over a week.

Does anyone know how long the old tach should keep the hours stored? I was thinking about keeping it around just in case or for future reference.

If you are talking about an analog meter, then I would expect the old one to hold the 204 hours forever. Can't say that for certain about a digital meter, but I would also think forever. I mean if you connected it up, it should display the last setting from memory. If digital, that memory is EEPROM type...I'm guessing there!

 

[Scott Danforth]

the difference between your existing one and the new one is the bezel and face. I myself would buy a new one and swap the face, or send it into either D & D http://ddinstruments.com/ or to the speedometer shop http://www.speedometersolutions.com/ and have them repair it.

All Faria is going to do is pull your gauge apart and put your face in a new gauge assembly.

my boat says it has more hours on it than it actually does. I left the key on for a weekend a few times:facepalm:

 

[keith2k455]

The gage has an electronic display for the hours.

Scott - thanks for those two places. I didn't know about them and will check them. My marina just said to send to Faria, so its nice to get options.

I would surely send in for repair if its more like $75

 

[doyall]

Sent mine to Faria several years ago to be "repaired" and beforehand they told me that hours would be set back to zero. (Supports the just-replace-the-guts theory.) When it came back it still had the same hours as when I sent it. Worked good for a month or so then had the same problems that caused me to send it in. Took a video of the problem and emailed it to them and they just sent a whole new unit. Back then it was only $65 plus return shipping. At $125 a pop they apparently are trying to get out of the repair business. Should be able to find a new one for that but don't expect it to last long either. Seems like a common complaint after searching this forum.

 

[dingbat]

...

 

[keith2k455]

I totally hear you on the condition. Hours can be an indicator on condition, but not the only factor on overall condition. Although I have plans to keep this boat a long time, you never know when you may have to sell, so this will help me with my condition should that day come sooner rather than later. The second reason is, should my new tach go bad, I can just send the original one in and get it repaired without taking the boat out of service. I'm all about convenience.

 

[dingbat]

...

 

[keith2k455]

......only how many hours the stereo was playing...lol

I'm seriously grinning here. I also plan to use this in my next negotiation.

But seriously, since I plan on keeping this boat for a long time I guess I don't really care about the hour meter, functional tach is what I'm after. I'm gonna order tonight, put it in and run without thinking about it again.

Thanks

 

[GA_Boater]

But you did keep track of the hours from your cruise today, didn't you? :smile: A great way to spend part of a winter day. :thumb: