Hourmeter Installation!?!

[C17LoadSmasher]

Hey all...<br /><br />I recently bought a 2001 Bayliner Capri w. the Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One and have been meaning to hook up an hour meter to the engine so I can accurately track its time for maintenance purposes. I want to mount the hour meter in the engine compartment, out of the way, but I cannot find a good positive wire to connect the meter to in the back. I tried to trace the ignition switch wire to the back but to no avail. Any help would be mostly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[clanton]

Re: Hourmeter Installation!?!

Try the + side of the ignition coil, would wise to check voltage with meter, with engine running and engine off key on. I do not know which ignition system this engine has. Or a tee in block with 2 oil pressure switches 1 for oil which is already there and 1 to turn the meter on, run + wire to + side of remote starter solenoid. If you need more send me serial number of engine, I will try to pickup copy of wireing diagram.

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Hourmeter Installation!?!

The Serial is 0M045501. I am aiming for the least obtrusive way to get this sucker installed. The old boat I would have crew chiefed it in but it was so old an hour meter would have been useless. I almost thought about splicing the positive from the ignition switch back to the meter, but that would not necessarily be accurate for the time the engine was running, since with the key in the in position would turn the meter on. Although usually if the key is on.. so's the engine. Thanks for the help..<br /><br />--Chris

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Hourmeter Installation!?!

what kind of alternator?

 

[mercurymercury]

Re: Hourmeter Installation!?!

the altenator trick is a good idea i have only seen it done from the coil or the ignition factory. which meens when the key is on even if moter isnt running the meter is running so the alt. idea is a new one that has a neat idea. every thing i have seen worked from i beleive the purple wire off the ignition

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Hourmeter Installation!?!

What kind of alternator. Uhh.. it says it's a 70 Amp alternator. Lemme drag out the books and see Yep. Thats all it says is that it is the 70 Amp ALternator. It's the OEM factory one. It's painted all black if I remember correctly so I have no ID marks on it - looks like the one in my truck, only smaller!

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Hourmeter Installation!?!

you say you got a manual? post the wiring diagram and maybe we can interface the h-meter to the alt......

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Hourmeter Installation!?!

Yeah I have the manual, will post as soon as I can. Hourmeter is now minor compared to the "scratch" on the boat now. Anyone know any good hull (above waterline) repair stuff? I almost cried....<br /><br />--C

 

[Terry H]

Re: Hourmeter Installation!?!

My thought on the scratch repair is: to contact the manufacturer and have them get you some gelcoat to match...then find someone in the fiberglass repair industry to do the patch...could be fiberglass tub repair person, etc. If you want to do the repair yourself ask schematic, he can help.<br />Thought101

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Hourmeter Installation!?!

I was downplaying it - trying to make myself feel better - The 'scratch' = 5-6" gouge w/ part of useless dock bumper (hard plastic) embedded in it. It wasn't pretty. Made a bad noise too. Oh well. Live and learn. I posted a question and more info about it on the Boats board.<br /><br />--C

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Hourmeter Installation!?!

C17,<br />Would it be easier to mount the gauge UNDER<br />the dash?Just hook up to a purple(usually) wire coming off your ignition switch and a ground.I think that would work for you.Just ty-wrap it in a place where you could see it easily.

 

[Trent]

Re: Hourmeter Installation!?!

You want actual engine running time? Put a tee in the oil pressure switch and add another pressure switch.. Then the "hobbs" hour meter will only read when the engine is running. Just pick up power "A+" from any source and it will work fine. Need a diagram ..E-mail me.