Yanmar Engine Hours LCD Display

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Slipperman

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Tried to check the engine hours on my Yanmar control panel today but saw only gobbledegook on the LCD display - just a few blodges where the numerals should be. It was working when I last used the boat about 3 weeks ago - I am wondering if the recent cold weather could have caused the display to freeze? If so, is this likely to be terminal? Air temperature is a few degrees above freezing now. I rely on my engine hours to give me a guide on how much fuel I am using/have left in the tank, as the fuel guage has always been totally unreliable! Any ideas?
 
A couple of questions, is your engine control panel the Yanmar type B? This is the newer version fitted. I have this model on my Beneteau which has a 3YM20 engine.

My LCD engine hour meter went sporatic after 3 months of ownership (4 years from new). The advice I was given by the local Beneteau dealer was to remove the gauge and place it somewhere warm and dry at home. The combined tacho and LCD eng hour guage are known for going on the blink due to build up of condensation. Great design for the marine environment!

This brings mine back to life and I am thinking of sealing the various holes in the back of the combined gauge to see if that helps.

If this fails then you will need to replace the entire gauge which will be about £200.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.
 
Yes, it is a Yanmar Type B panel. I wondered whether, if the LCD display had frozen, gentle warming with a hairdryer might bring it back to life. As you mention, no doubt if the thing is totally bust the only option will be a new control panel at some exhorbitant cost. I guess I could try and live without the engine hours, but I do find it useful.
 
I had a Yanmar 3YM20 engine, not sure on the control panel type, but the digital display would disappear when the weather was cold. Trying the hair dryer sounds a good idea but I think it will reappear as the weather warms up.

Good luck
 
Slipperman said:
Tried to check the engine hours on my Yanmar control panel today but saw only gobbledegook on the LCD display - just a few blodges where the numerals should be. It was working when I last used the boat about 3 weeks ago - I am wondering if the recent cold weather could have caused the display to freeze? If so, is this likely to be terminal? Air temperature is a few degrees above freezing now. I rely on my engine hours to give me a guide on how much fuel I am using/have left in the tank, as the fuel guage has always been totally unreliable! Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Volvo LCD hour meters are renowned for this and the standard cure is a night in the airing cupboard, although I used to cook mine in front of a fan heater for 30 minutes. The reading hasn't been lost, only the display. Better option is to fit a Vetus or similar hour meter with a mechanical counter, around £30 I think.
 
Robin said:
Volvo LCD hour meters are renowned for this and the standard cure is a night in the airing cupboard, although I used to cook mine in front of a fan heater for 30 minutes. The reading hasn't been lost, only the display. Better option is to fit a Vetus or similar hour meter with a mechanical counter, around £30 I think.
Click to expand...

It amazes me that they have not been able to sort this problem, I think all Volvos seem to have this fault. Not fit for purpose.

Bit like leaking Landrover windows
 
Hi Slipperman,

I would not worry about it, all LCD displays are prone to "freezing" to some degree. Just wait for the weather to warm up a little and it will sort its self out. If you do use an hair dryer, take care not to apply too much heat, it should be warmed slowly. You could take it off and put it in the airing cupboard, but personally I would just wait for the weather. The accumulated hours will still be in its memory.

So "chill out" like your display and enjoy the New Year.

A good 2010 to all.

Kevin
 
You won't have to replace the whole control panel, just the tacho. Marine Power(google them) stock them, but a good drying session should see you fine.
 
NDH said:
It amazes me that they have not been able to sort this problem, I think all Volvos seem to have this fault. Not fit for purpose.

Bit like leaking Landrover windows
Click to expand...

They had the solution because originally there was no problem, then some idiot decided to update it and fit a LCD display. Our Yanmar from 1988 had an hour meter with a mechanical counter so why did they change?
 
mcanderson said:
You won't have to replace the whole control panel, just the tacho. Marine Power(google them) stock them, but a good drying session should see you fine.
Click to expand...

I've not googled them, but I bet it costs more than the 30 quid an online aviation shop charged me when I wanted to add an hour meter (aka "Hobbs") to my 1GM10 - I was amazed that the aviation option was cheaper than it's maritime equivalent ;-)
 
Once again, many thanks for all replies and the sensible advice given. Interesting to hear that Volvos have the same problem. Think I will wait and see what happens when the weather warms up before doing anything drastic.
 
If the airing cupboard/hairdryer/wait for summer doesn't work, there was a cheapo replacement explained in by Dick Holness in Sailing Today June 2007 pages 138 to 140. This used a £15 replacement LCD hours meter from RS Components - part number 185-7087.

Don't know if ST do copies of old articles. Wiring was very simple (4 wires -
1) positive (to show display),
2) negative (return),
3) positive only on when engine running (to count up hours), and
4) (labelled R) (probably not required for these purposes) momentary positive to zero the unit.
 
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