Engine Hours

[asteven221]

This questions seems to have a simple and obvious answer, but I have asked a few people (incuding a surveyor!) who couldn't answer it with 100% certainty.

So.......

What does the engine hours reading displayed on the engine instumentation actually mean?

A) Is it simply the time when you turn the key to when you switch the engine off?

Or B) does it derive the hours from some other calculation?

 

[Philiz]

A

The number of hours the engine has run for.

 

[LittleShip]

A

The number of hours the engine has run for.

Agreed and that includes the hours left ticking over at the dock

Tom

PS Bugger...... Phil and I agree on something! Get me a drink somebody!

 

[Philiz]

Agreed and that includes the hours left ticking over at the dock

Tom

PS Bugger...... Phil and I agree on something! Get me a drink somebody!

Rule of averages, you were bound to be right at some stage!
Did someone mention a drink??
I wonder why a surveyor would struggle with that question?

 

[gjgm]

A

The number of hours the engine has run for.

Does it?I only ask bcz there was a guide to replacing the unit, and I thought the way to get the new reading to read the same as the old one was to connect it to 12v for the required number of hours.
No engine involved there !.

 

[bammylovechops]

Use caution, it can also be when the ignition is actually switched ON and NOT necessarily the engine actually running.
The best way is to visually check the hour meter to see if there is any movement on any dials, IMHO.

 

[PaulGooch]

A

The number of hours the engine has run for.

I'm going to be pedantic now and say you're all wrong.

It's actually the number of hours the ignition is switched on >insert smiley with sticky out tongue<

 

[LittleShip]

I'm going to be pedantic now and say you're all wrong.

It's actually the number of hours the ignition is switched on >insert smiley with sticky out tongue<

Oh no it's not...... on Little Ship it is the hours that the rev counter is running

Strike one.

Tom

PS smiley with sticky out tounge is : p together

 

[Philiz]

You might well be right, but why would you leave the ignition switched on without the engine running for anything other than a few seconds or minutes at the outside. The difference between the length of time the ignition is switched on and the length of time the engine is running is surely going to be insignificant?

On my Volvo instrument panel I can turn the ignition off and leave the engine running so long as I don't turn the switch to the stop position, so if you're right, theoretically I could run my engine and clock up zero hours!

 

[PaulGooch]

Oh no it's not...... on Little Ship it is the hours that the rev counter is running

Strike one.

Tom

PS smiley with sticky out tounge is : p together

Damn, it's ignition on with my boat.

Thanks for the smiley tip

 

[Philiz]

Oh no it's not...... on Little Ship it is the hours that the rev counter is running

Strike one.

Tom

PS smiley with sticky out tounge is : p together

I think we've got 'em on the ropes now Tom

 

[PaulGooch]

Is there a smiley giving the finger ?

 

[bammylovechops]

I'm going to be pedantic now and say you're all wrong.

It's actually the number of hours the ignition is switched on >insert smiley with sticky out tongue<

How can I be wrong, thats what I said!!!

 

[[2068]]

On my setup (2 * KAD32), the engine hours display won't increase unless the engine is actually burbling away.
Just turning the key doesn't do it.

dv.

 

[bammylovechops]

On my setup (2 * KAD32), the engine hours display won't increase unless the engine is actually burbling away.
Just turning the key doesn't do it.

dv.

In fairness none of my hour meters work on my kad32's, apparently a common problem. That is why I have had a seperate Vetus hour meter fitted as an indicater for servicing, trips and just an idea of the hours that are clocked up!

 

[PaulGooch]

You might well be right, but why would you leave the ignition switched on without the engine running for anything other than a few seconds or minutes at the outside. The difference between the length of time the ignition is switched on and the length of time the engine is running is surely going to be insignificant?

Seems i'm only right on some setups Phil, but you're right it should be insignificant. I wouldn't leave mine on without the engine running as the low oil pressure alarm would drive me nuts.

On my Volvo instrument panel I can turn the ignition off and leave the engine running so long as I don't turn the switch to the stop position, so if you're right, theoretically I could run my engine and clock up zero hours!

Might explain one reason for the differences, i can't do that with my setup.

I was only trying to be a smart arse, but it appears to have backfired just a little

 

[LittleShip]

Is there a smiley giving the finger ?

Of course there is

Pleased to be of assistance Paul.

Tom

 

[BGW]

Seem to have another variation on mine then....
Nothing if just the key is on, or the engine just started on tickover.
Mine only run when the alternators are charging (ie when the warning light goes out).

 

[Heckler]

Seem to have another variation on mine then....
Nothing if just the key is on, or the engine just started on tickover.
Mine only run when the alternators are charging (ie when the warning light goes out).

And that is it, the hour meter/rev counter counts pulses off the alternator, so its a bit more complicated than just putting power to it
Stu

 

[PaulGooch]

And that is it, the hour meter/rev counter counts pulses off the alternator, so its a bit more complicated than just putting power to it
Stu

I wonder if that's the key Stu ? If the hour meter is in the tacho you need the engine running, if it's a separate one you just need the ignition on ?

Which means i gotta check mine properly, as it's in the tacho lol