Hourmeter Died--dying? Sporadic?

[murphini]

Have 89 VIP with 302v8 OMC Cobra. 4th summer, runs very well. I keep a boat log and always check the hourmeter at the end of each cruise. Noticed it stopped recently at 609.3 hrs. (Bought boat with 445...)

My hour meter is installed in the engine compartment. I searched this site and read about he purple wire, where to wire it, etc. Found mine is still in place--wired to the engine and to the back of the hourmeter. After my last cruise, notied the hrmeter was at 609.4 so it's not completely dead...

SO...looking for insight on:
1. How often do Hour Meters fail? or is it more likely a wiring issue?
2. When I replace, I'll put it up on dashboard so I can see it, and just hook into the other guages--realizing that it will go when the key is on.
3. Anyone know where I can get one that will let me show elapsed time for season and ongoing? My bike computer has the feature.

On "logging note", it's been great fun to chronicle date, places, guests, # of cruises, etc. Over the 3 1/2 summers, we've used it 78 days, averaging about 50 hours a year, but since I have teenagers who often bring guests, we've had 103 different people on the boat. This boat is always towing kids on a Great Big Mabel 4 person tube or wakeboards. It has been very well used and keeps on running.

Since 2004, I have had the card rebuilt, shift cable replaced , bellows, impeller, steering cable, plugs, rotor, 50 hour oil changes and annual gear lube changes during winterization.

I know my future holds replacement of floors/stringers--have a soft spot and just starting to feel some give near the ski locker.... but such is life.

 

[95yj]

Re: Hourmeter Died--dying? Sporadic?

Hour meters are just an electric clock. They're also as reliable as an analog clock. Most will run for more than your boat's lifetime. Some will die for whatever reason, usually corrosion. For $50, most of them just count up with no other options. If you want more options, you probably need to go to a computer console where you can track total hours, trip hours, connect up a fuel meter, and so on and so on.

Wiring is really easy. There's a ground and there's a hot that supplies +12vdc when the ignition is turned on. Check it with a voltmeter and you'll know if the hot is dead or the clock is toast. If the meter counts up every so often, it's probably a corroded wire that gives voltage intermittently.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Hourmeter Died--dying? Sporadic?

I searched this site and read about he purple wire, where to wire it, etc. Found mine is still in place--wired to the engine and to the back of the hourmeter.

Ayuh,.........

What about the Ground..............??

 

[murphini]

Re: Hourmeter Died--dying? Sporadic?

ground...hmmm Hr meter is in back near engine, I saw the purple wire going to it, but pull the hr meter out so I didnt check on the back of the meter to see if the ground wire was still attached on the other pole. I'll check both the wire and the ground.

I did buy a new hr meter for $34 at basspro and if mine is dead I'll replace