Engine Hours Counter

[Jonny_H]

I want to fit an engine hours counter on the boat. The wiring etc all seems quite simple (aided by Sailing Today article in June's magazine).

Have found several hour counters (Maplins quite good) that would suit, however I have hole to fill in the console in the cockpit where some redudant switches are being removed. This is next the the rev gauage and oil temp guage so would seem a good place to put the hour counter. But .... none of the counters I can find say whether they are waterproof! Don't want to wire it all up and make a hole to fit it outside and then have to move it inside and end up with an even bigger hole to sort out on my console!

Anyone found a waterproof hour counter /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Jonny

 

[Bunny]

Yep!

 

[Jonny_H]

Thanks - unfortunately postage from this company (being US) is going to be more than the cost of the item ($28 when I contacted them!) - you can get hour counters from CPC for £12 - hoped someone would know if they are waterproof, or if there was a UK source for waterproof ones?

Jonny

 

[jerryat]

Why does it need to be waterproof? You don't need to see it from the cockpit I would have thought, so why not site it below? Mine's just inside inside the companionway (tucked behind the bridgedeck return) and has been fine for 3 years to date.

 

[AIDY]

Agree... mines in the engine bay wired off the alternator..

why not at the chart table easy when you are doing the log ! not as accurate as the alternator but wire it off the light from the fuel guage, thats if you have one at the chart table.

 

[Bunny]

The curtis one you show is fitted to pel job mini dumpers and sits on the dash in all weathers so it should be waterproof. dumper hour meter

 

[Jonny_H]

That was my initial thought (I would site by the battery switches near the engine) - but as I have a gap on the console that I need to cover up (I have removed some redundant switches) I thought it might look better to put the counter there rather than just fill the holes with gel coat which prob won't match.

Its not a definate, and if its a problem (which it looks like it might be) I will site it below and find another solution to the holes in my console!

 

[Jonny_H]

Perfect - thanks!

 

[MoodySabre]

Yes - Conrad Electronics £11.95 waterproof - just runs off the back of the ignition switch and fits the hole where the Volvo had been.

 

[Blue5]

A slight thread hi-jack but I am also looking to install an hour counter on my Westerly Kestrel as I do not subscribe to Sailing Today can anybody point to an on-line link or a wiring diagram for the installation of a meter

Thanks

 

[Channel Ribs]

You could do a lot worse than getting a Tiny Tach, digitial tacho and hour meter in one. A very nice piece of inexpensive kit. Waterproof too.

 

[asj1]

Re the Tiny Tach.
I hav ejust been on their website - looks fascinating. It appears to have a transducer clamped to the diesel fuel line. Does this transducer actually make a hole in the fuel line?
Otherwise I can't see how it actually works?
It obviously needs to be wired up to the battery in some way, any idea how quickly it would flatten my battery if the boat is left unnatended for a few weeks?
Lastly - I can of course see teh price in $ - but how much do you sell them for?

 

[gandy]

Hi, the Tiny Tach transducer just clamps onto the fuel line, it doesn't make a hole in it. I assume it senses the pressure pulse. We fitted on just recently. The hour counter only counts while the engine's running, not all the time the unit's powered on. With the engine running it displays rpm, and when the engine's stopped it shows hours run.

UK supplier is here, in case Malthouse can't supply.

http://www.tinytachuk.com/

 

[Jonny_H]

Out of interest I contacted Siemens VDO to see if their range was waterproof, their response (and dealer info):

N03-110-412 Oceanline International Black Hourmeter 52mm 12/24V .

Please Contact:-

Furneaux Riddall
Alchorne place
Portsmouth
P03 5pa

Tel:- 02392 668621

Although not cheap! VDO

 

[philip_stevens]

See my reply post on WOABB