Yanmar engine hours lcd faded to blank

[DaveRo]

It's a 5 year old Jeanneau SO35 with a Yanmar 3YM30 engine. For the past 2 years the engine hours display has been gadually fading out. A month ago we managed to read it by looking at it from an angle but now it's blank. The backlight works.

I suspect this is a problem with the lcd display itself and might require a whole new rev-counter unit - in which case we'll just estimate the hours. But has anybody had a similar problem?

We're in sunny Greece. Googling suggests that direct sunlight harms lcds. There is a perspex lid over the control panel - and presumably they would be designed to withstand direct sunlight.

Where is the memory holding accumulated hours?

 

[wotayottie]

Dont know whether you consider this a "similar problem" but almost every Volvo engine owners has had the same thing. Volvo tachopsd are notorious for this.

There are three possible solutions viz: 1/ buy a new tacho 2/ replace the lcd panel itself - recent PBO article on how to do this . Involves soldering but otherwise easy. 3/ install simple electric hours meter ( maybe £10 on ebay) leaving tacho as is.

I suppose there is a fourth - do nothing. Do the hours matter?

 

[jwilson]

It's a 5 year old Jeanneau SO35 with a Yanmar 3YM30 engine. For the past 2 years the engine hours display has been gadually fading out. A month ago we managed to read it by looking at it from an angle but now it's blank. The backlight works.

I suspect this is a problem with the lcd display itself and might require a whole new rev-counter unit - in which case we'll just estimate the hours. But has anybody had a similar problem?

We're in sunny Greece. Googling suggests that direct sunlight harms lcds. There is a perspex lid over the control panel - and presumably they would be designed to withstand direct sunlight.

Where is the memory holding accumulated hours?

Very common on both Yanmars and Volvos .... Mine on a 2005 SO35 with Yanmar 3YM30 only works sometimes, usually best after a winter with cockpit covered and dehumidifier below. Suspect damp rather than sunlight the problem.

 

[rob2]

A lot of displays fade as they take on moisture. It is likely that you can solve the problem if the unit is removed and given a few days drying out in an airing cupboard. Don't know the configuration for this one, but would it be possible to emclose it in an airtight box with a silica gel sachet?

Rob.

 

[Cloven]

Dont know whether you consider this a "similar problem" but almost every Volvo engine owners has had the same thing. Volvo tachopsd are notorious for this.

There are three possible solutions viz: 1/ buy a new tacho 2/ replace the lcd panel itself - recent PBO article on how to do this . Involves soldering but otherwise easy. 3/ install simple electric hours meter ( maybe £10 on ebay) leaving tacho as is.

I suppose there is a fourth - do nothing. Do the hours matter?

My boat came without an engine hours meter. I did 3 above - simply connect a stand alone meter to the ignition switch. Easy

 

[DaveRo]

Thanks for the replies.

It seems odd that such a simple device should be so unreliable. I'm doubtful that damp is the cause - maybe heat? The boat sits on the hard in direct Greek sunshine for most of the year.

I'll look for a cheap replacement which I can wire in below deck.

 

[dslittle]

A lot of displays fade as they take on moisture. It is likely that you can solve the problem if the unit is removed and given a few days drying out in an airing cupboard. Don't know the configuration for this one, but would it be possible to emclose it in an airtight box with a silica gel sachet?

Rob.

I have the same problem each winter. It makes for a good game though - guess the engine hours for a couple of months and then see how accurate I was when the LCD decides to come back to life again.

Never though about silica behind the unit. Good idea, I shall look into doing that.

 

[DipperToo]

Same problem.

It looks like the vdo units have to be programmed if they are replaced. Does anyone know the calibration factor to be entered if using a Yanmar 3YM30? I found a manual from VDO North America that states in part of it...

Manual Calibration with a known value
(PULSE )
If you know the exact calibration value for the vehicle and
type of sensor you are using (pulse-per-revolution), you may
use that value to manually calibrate the tachometer.

The full document is here http://www.egauges.com/pdf/vdo/0-515-012-037.pdf

Although these replacement meters can be ridiculously priced, they do seem to appear from time to time on eBay or other outlets.

Stewart