Installing an hour meter on 460 Ford King Cobra

Striper Blues

Petty Officer 2nd Class

Joined

Jul 30, 2003

Messages

135

• Mar 12, 2005

• #1

Being that i have a new long block, I bought an hour meter to track time. How do I wire this in so it only runs when motor runs? Seems an accessory connect would rack up time when the key was on and not just when the engine was on. <br /><br />Thanks again,<br />Pat

 

Striper Blues

Petty Officer 2nd Class

Joined

Jul 30, 2003

Messages

135

• Mar 12, 2005

• #2

Re: Installing an hour meter on 460 Ford King Cobra

Here is a link to the unit I bought..<br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46552&item=7500025228&rd=1

 

Don S

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Aug 31, 2004

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62,321

• Mar 12, 2005

• #3

Re: Installing an hour meter on 460 Ford King Cobra

Positive terminal goes to the ignition terminal on the switch (usually purple) and the minus terminal goes to ground.<br />That purple ignition wire also puts power to all the insturments, so you could attach it to the purple wire terminal on any of your gauges

 

W

waterone1@aol.com

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Joined

Oct 10, 2004

Messages

1,235

• Mar 12, 2005

• #4

Re: Installing an hour meter on 460 Ford King Cobra

I hate to say it, but we do not live in a perfect world, the only way to install or connect an hour meter is to the ignition on terminal....it will click away the hours anytime the ignition is on, whether the engine is running or not. Follow Don's wiring suggestions....that is it.

 

G

goingboeing737

Cadet

Joined

Dec 17, 2004

Messages

14

• Mar 13, 2005

• #5

Re: Installing an hour meter on 460 Ford King Cobra

I have looked at this meter. Looks interesting. Connects to spark plug, so it should only read "motor running" time.<br /><br />Have not bought one, so I can't say from any experience if it works well, or at all.<br /><br /> Hour Meter @ Hardline Products

 

B

beezee28

Master Chief Petty Officer

Joined

Jun 3, 2004

Messages

804

• Mar 17, 2005

• #6

Re: Installing an hour meter on 460 Ford King Cobra

Pbburke, How did you wire your hour unit. Did you follow the instruction that Don S gave. I would like to install on my boat but need to log 'engine run time' only instead of ignition on time.

 

B

bluewater19

Chief Petty Officer

Joined

Apr 25, 2003

Messages

505

• Mar 18, 2005

• #7

Re: Installing an hour meter on 460 Ford King Cobra

If you have a boat with an electric fuel pump you can wire the ground to the same ground the fuel pump uses. The fuel pump is usually connected through a oil pressure switch that kills the pump if you lose oil pressure. Thats how I did my hour meter and it only runs when the motor runs.

 

Don S

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• Mar 18, 2005

• #8

Re: Installing an hour meter on 460 Ford King Cobra

Knowing the "Exact running" engine time isn't really a necessity. It's basically for service intervals anyway, but you can also figure out "Rough" gallons per hour with it. But since you don't always run the engine at exactly the same rpm that number is also a general number. Leaving the ignition in the on position is not a good idea either. So not sure what the point of knowing exact run time is.<br />The hour meters are't used like a clock either, and are not really accurate to 1 second a year.

 

Striper Blues

Petty Officer 2nd Class

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Jul 30, 2003

Messages

135

• Mar 20, 2005

• #9

Re: Installing an hour meter on 460 Ford King Cobra

I will follow Don's direction. But as yet the snow hasn't completely melted on the boat cover, next weekend perhaps.... I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Striper Blues

Petty Officer 2nd Class

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Messages

135

• May 26, 2005

• #10

Re: Installing an hour meter on 460 Ford King Cobra

I followed recommendation and of course, its perfect...thanks