Hour meter install question

[jgun]

Hey you mechanic types, I had an hour meter installed on my boat but it was wired to the on position on my key switch. Every time I forget the key on I add time to my meter that the motor is not running. The last time I accidently added 200 hours. <br /><br />Now I have a new hour meter comming that I will put the correct time back on, but I need a better way to wire it. <br /><br />My question is this. Can I tap into the tach wire from the motor for a power source for the meter without screwing up my tachometer readings? If not, are there any other suggestions for a motor on hot wire? <br /><br />BTW, its a 2002 honda 4stroke 50hp motor. <br /><br />Thanks, <br />jgun

 

[MajBach]

Re: Hour meter install question

If you leave the key on, the hour meter would still tick away - as the ignition is still on (and so is the tach). At least I think it would - would on mine. Why don't you just put an in-line toggle switch?

 

[jgun]

Re: Hour meter install question

My problem is forgetting the key in the on position. I don't really need it there but at times I forget it there.

 

[DJ]

Re: Hour meter install question

I wouldn't trust an hour meter that was wired to a toggle switch. If one (me included) cannot remember to turn the key off , one can't be trusted to turn a toggle switch on and off.

 

[MajBach]

Re: Hour meter install question

I sorta shared that sentiment when I wrote the above but then again, how accurate is this hobbs meter at this point anyway? Maybe a toggle switch with be that much out of the ordinary that it doesn't go unnoticed. What he really needs is a chime of sorts.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Hour meter install question

Won't reversing polarity on an anolog hour meter run it back?

 

[jgun]

Re: Hour meter install question

I wish. I tried with no luck.

 

[rowbards]

Re: Hour meter install question

What hour meter do you have. I ask this because the Honda digital hour meter can be reset. In your case I would buy an inductive hour meter. It installs on your spark plug wire and you never have to turn it on or off, around $30, just install and check by removing the hood when you what the hours. Honda makes one of these, aftermarket I would look at sendec.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Hour meter install question

My dealer said theres no way around that problem. I too installed an hour meter and hooked it up to ignition 12v so when key is on, so is the meter.<br /><br />Ive put 70 hours on it this year so far and i havnt forgotten (knock on wood) to turn the key off yet, I guess because im always in the habit of checking it, I just got the motor in May and wanna break 100 hours this year.

 

[DJ]

Re: Hour meter install question

I call, an hour meter (odometer in a car) an "honest" meter.<br /><br />It troubles me that anyone would want a way around it.<br /><br />If we can't remember to shut the key off, we may want to re think our activities. <br /><br />An hour meter is a tool, nothing more. Install one and deal with it, or don't and guess.<br /><br />If we don't do this right, the fed's will figure out a way to do it for us. <br /><br />We don't want that!

 

[jgun]

Re: Hour meter install question

Well, DJ, I only installed it for maitenence purposes. I surely didn't mean it for resale or anything else. My key has to remain on when the motor is off at times to run some of the accessories I've installed, including my live well. SO, before you are so quick to judge me and assume I'm trying to get around the system, GET ALL THE FACTS. <br /><br />Besides, why would you want to know how many "key on" hours and not how many "motor on" hours?<br /><br />My Mom told me when I was 2 that if I didn't have anything nice to say, not to say anything at all. My Dad told me when I was 5 that the deffinition of help is doing something to make someone else's job easier. Did you miss these somewhere?????<br /><br />Thank you to the rest of you that are actually trying to help.

 

[DJ]

Re: Hour meter install question

jgun,<br /><br />You COMPLETELY misunderstood my response.<br /><br />My point was that an hour meter is something that is to be used for maintenance and resale.<br /><br />Leaving the key on is not good for other systems also. I don' t walk away from my truck while leaving the key on. Some systems on your engine have an additional 200 hours on them. Hey, I've done it too. I didn't try to reverse it though. That's my problem, not someone elses. <br /><br />You know what the extra time is, just log it. You still have a valid reference for oil changes ,L/U service, etc.<br /><br />No insults intended.<br /><br />I just like a product to be used for it's intent.<br /><br />Most, would consider key on time as run time. That is NOT unreasonable.

 

[jgun]

Re: Hour meter install question

The honda engine has a magneto start. Without the motor running, there is actually no power to the engine. SO, unless there is a big problem with the (replaceable) lights in the gauges getting some extra time on them, the hour meter would actually only reflect the time the lights are on and nothing to do with the motor.<br /><br />As far as the intent goes, it is an aftermarket hour meter that I installed to track hours that the motor actually runs. Being off by an unknown ammount of time makes it extremely difficult to be accurate with my maintenence.