Engine hour meter connection

[Saradon]

I have just bought an RS 318-676 hour meter, no instructions came with the unit.
I have a Volvo Penta 2003.
Does anybody know where the wiring connects.
On the rear of the unit there are 2 spade connectors +/-
Thanks
Barry /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif [ QUOTE ]


[/ QUOTE ] May your winds be fair

 

[fireball]

Normally (having just fitted one) one side will be earth and the other takes a feed off the switched ignition so it only gets 12v when you've got the ignition switched on ...

 

[Saradon]

Thanks Fireball that was quick !
Not being particuarly handy with electrics, does this simply mean, at the rear of ignition switch, connect + (unit end) to the (red wire) positive??
I have not seen what the back end of ignition switch looks like though, so am only guessing. Sorry to be a pain.
Barry

May your winds be fair

 

[fireball]

I've got a Yanmar ... so cannot help you on the back of your ignition switch ...
however, take a multimeter with you, turn the engine electrics on - ignition switch off ... one terminal will be 12v positive, the other will be nothing.
Stuff some cotton wool in your ears, turn the ignition switch on ... kick the buzzer till it stops ... and measure the voltage on "the other terminal" it should now be 12v ... that is the one you need to connect to.

Ah .. just realised .. I have a seperate starter button - so the ignition switch has 2 positions ... on and off. Yours may be more like a car (if you use the key to start the engine) in which case there will be more terminals on the back of the switch. You need to find the one that gives 12v when you have the ignition switch in the normal running position, but not when it is off.
Clear? Need any mud? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[paulrossall]

You need to connect the + on the back of the hour meter to the wire that comes off the ignition switch, that is the wire that only has power going through it when the ignition switch is turned on. DONOT connect it to the wire that takes current TO the ignition switch as this would result in the hour meter clocking up time when the engine was not switch on. Hope that helps. Paul

 

[Saradon]

Thanks very much.
Will take voltage meter and do as suggested.

First try at this forum business, it's great how people out there have the knowledge and are prepared to share it with others like me, who sometimes struggle.
Barry

May your winds be fair

 

[fireball]

If you get stuck ... take a photo of the back of the switch and the hours meter and get them posted up here ...

 

[AIDY]

another suggestion would be to connect it inline with your fuel guage at the chart table not as accurate as on the starter switch but you could have a ref at the chart table, also you could wire it off the alternator and mount it in the engine bay.

 

[philip_stevens]

If you have a standard VP instrument/start/tacho panel, take the +ve and -ve from either side of the tacho. The -ve is always there, and the +ve comes from the start switch terminal 15.

If you do not have a tacho, the -ve is also from terminal 16 of the connector block adjacent to the panel, or one side of the alarm test button. You should find the +ve on terminal 1 of the connector block or on one side of the switch for the instrument panel.

The hourmeter will then run whenever you switch on to start the engine. This terminal 15 is present if you have a seperate starter switch. I am not sure if it is the same number for a starter switch that incorporates the actual start switch.

Which panel do you have? The one with or without a tacho? If you have any problems, let me know, as I am going to my boat next week, and I have a VP2003 with tacho panel, and I have an hourmeter fitted.

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
also you could wire it off the alternator and mount it in the engine bay.

[/ QUOTE ] One could if one wanted the meter running 24/7. One should check the wiring first before going down that route. Alternator output has been known to be hard wired to the batteries so as to prevent idiots switching the batt switch off while the engine is running and bølløxing the alternator...
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"