Engine hour meter wiring

bobkatfly · 05-14-2020, 06:41 AM

Hi. I have a friend with a 2004 Bryant 234 deck boat and Mercruiser Bravo I/O. He claims the engine hour meter runs with the key in the off position and battery switch on. Is this normal that the meter is wired directly to the battery clocking hours? I don't know if it's an after market meter or OEM. I checked my Cobalt and it doesn't run even when in accessory position.

brk-lnt · 05-14-2020, 11:49 AM

No, that is not normal or correct. The meter is supposed to measure actual time the motor has been running.

BTW, the ECM of the boat could be polled with the correct diag software to get actual runtime of the engine.

Woodsy · 05-14-2020, 12:48 PM

This boat should have an ECM that will log the engine hours....

No hour meter should run on just the battery switch....

Older boats had the hour meters hooked up to the ignition switch and could run with switch turned to accessory.... although most marine ignition switches do not have an "accessory" position.

Woodsy

DPatnaude · 05-14-2020, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsy

although most marine ignition switches do not have an "accessory" position.

Woodsy

You might want to try turning the key counter-clockwise for the accessory position: Accessory-Off-Run-Start

Woodsy · 05-14-2020, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPatnaude

You might want to try turning the key counter-clockwise for the accessory position: Accessory-Off-Run-Start

Really? I had no idea! LOL!

None of the ignition switches (stock or replacement) in my Donzi's have had an "accessory position".. they were all Off-Run-Start.

No need for an "accessory position" in a boat... that is what the battery switch is for, and sometimes a "master" accessory switch on the dashboard.

Woodsy

BroadHopper · 05-14-2020, 05:07 PM

Neither do Formulas. Accessories can only be run when the electrical shutoff is on. I always shut off the main power when boat is not in use. With the main power switch off, I can still run the bilge pump. Other accessories including the motor cannot be used.

Formula hour meters only run when the engine is running.

I did have a Liberator. Hour meter runs whenever the ignition switch is on even if the motor is not running. Same as my old Wellcraft.

Guess it depends on who did the wiring.

bobkatfly · 05-14-2020, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Really? I had no idea! LOL!

None of the ignition switches (stock or replacement) in my Donzi's have had an "accessory position".. they were all Off-Run-Start.

No need for an "accessory position" in a boat... that is what the battery switch is for, and sometimes a "master" accessory switch on the dashboard.

Woodsy

Yeah, my 2012 Cobalt has the accessory position just like a car. Can run the radio without the helm instrumentation on.

8gv · 05-14-2020, 08:52 PM

One of my Sea Ray's has an accessory switch position and one doesn't.

This leads me to wonder what extra components are energized when it's not running but the switch is in the run position.

bobkatfly · 05-15-2020, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

One of my Sea Ray's has an accessory switch position and one doesn't.

This leads me to wonder what extra components are energized when it's not running but the switch is in the run position.

I believe the fuel pump energizes to prime when in the run position as well as the helm instrumentation, starting circuit safeties like oil pressure switch, etc.

Slickcraft · 05-15-2020, 07:44 PM

When we bought the new Eastern with a Yamaha outboard we had Dave install an hour meter. It is tied to the ignition so it monitors actual running hours. The Eastern has one of those boat fuel gauges, almost useless. As I have a good handle on average gallons per hour and keep a log book, every 30 hours or so I stop at the gas dock.

Oh and when the boat is docked, he battery switch is turned off.

upthesaukee · 05-16-2020, 07:13 AM

When I had a Merc Optimax on my 1st boat, I had smart gauges installed. Two features I liked was the fuel flow meter and the fuel used. The former helped find the right throttle and trim settings for better fuel economy, and the latter was far more accurate than the rock and roll tank gauge. Needed fuel injection for the Smart Gauges and I was disappointed when I got the new boat with a carbureted engine.

Dave

VitaBene · 05-16-2020, 11:34 AM

The tach in my Wellcraft went bad a few years back and I replaced with one with the hour meter built into it.

Rich · 05-17-2020, 08:19 AM

It seems obvious that someone miswired that hour meter when they installed it, or when a repair was made.

If you are not good with electronics yourself and need help, I highly recommend Nick of Northeast Marine Industries out of Meredith.

I've seen him work on other boats, he knows what he's doing, does a great job. He'll come to you as I've seen him often working out of his truck at our marina.

https://nwmarineindustries.com/

05-14-2020, 06:41 AM	#1
bobkatfly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Mirror Lake/Winter Harbor Posts: 322 Thanks: 49 Thanked 51 Times in 45 Posts	Engine hour meter wiring Hi. I have a friend with a 2004 Bryant 234 deck boat and Mercruiser Bravo I/O. He claims the engine hour meter runs with the key in the off position and battery switch on. Is this normal that the meter is wired directly to the battery clocking hours? I don't know if it's an after market meter or OEM. I checked my Cobalt and it doesn't run even when in accessory position. __________________ Bob F Amherst till the big 66 comes (made it!) Winter Harbor/Mirror Lake till the big guy comes

05-14-2020, 11:49 AM	#2
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,943 Thanks: 542 Thanked 570 Times in 335 Posts	No, that is not normal or correct. The meter is supposed to measure actual time the motor has been running. BTW, the ECM of the boat could be polled with the correct diag software to get actual runtime of the engine. __________________ [insert witty phrase here]

05-14-2020, 12:48 PM	#3
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,960 Thanks: 80 Thanked 975 Times in 436 Posts	This boat should have an ECM that will log the engine hours.... No hour meter should run on just the battery switch.... Older boats had the hour meters hooked up to the ignition switch and could run with switch turned to accessory.... although most marine ignition switches do not have an "accessory" position. Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

05-14-2020, 05:07 PM	#6
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,553 Thanks: 3,166 Thanked 1,096 Times in 790 Posts	Accessory switch Neither do Formulas. Accessories can only be run when the electrical shutoff is on. I always shut off the main power when boat is not in use. With the main power switch off, I can still run the bilge pump. Other accessories including the motor cannot be used. Formula hour meters only run when the engine is running. I did have a Liberator. Hour meter runs whenever the ignition switch is on even if the motor is not running. Same as my old Wellcraft. Guess it depends on who did the wiring. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

05-16-2020, 07:13 AM	#11
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,585 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,434 Thanked 1,945 Times in 1,075 Posts	Smart guages When I had a Merc Optimax on my 1st boat, I had smart gauges installed. Two features I liked was the fuel flow meter and the fuel used. The former helped find the right throttle and trim settings for better fuel economy, and the latter was far more accurate than the rock and roll tank gauge. Needed fuel injection for the Smart Gauges and I was disappointed when I got the new boat with a carbureted engine. Dave __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

The Following User Says Thank You to brk-lnt For This Useful Post:
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05-14-2020, 08:52 PM	#8
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,059 Thanks: 63 Thanked 719 Times in 468 Posts	One of my Sea Ray's has an accessory switch position and one doesn't. This leads me to wonder what extra components are energized when it's not running but the switch is in the run position.

05-15-2020, 07:44 PM	#10
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and West Alton Posts: 3,271 Thanks: 1,207 Thanked 2,045 Times in 938 Posts	When we bought the new Eastern with a Yamaha outboard we had Dave install an hour meter. It is tied to the ignition so it monitors actual running hours. The Eastern has one of those boat fuel gauges, almost useless. As I have a good handle on average gallons per hour and keep a log book, every 30 hours or so I stop at the gas dock. Oh and when the boat is docked, he battery switch is turned off.

05-16-2020, 11:34 AM	#12
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,543 Thanks: 1,579 Thanked 1,610 Times in 824 Posts	The tach in my Wellcraft went bad a few years back and I replaced with one with the hour meter built into it.

05-17-2020, 08:19 AM	#13
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,242 Thanks: 70 Thanked 344 Times in 234 Posts	It seems obvious that someone miswired that hour meter when they installed it, or when a repair was made. If you are not good with electronics yourself and need help, I highly recommend Nick of Northeast Marine Industries out of Meredith. I've seen him work on other boats, he knows what he's doing, does a great job. He'll come to you as I've seen him often working out of his truck at our marina. https://nwmarineindustries.com/ __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Rich For This Useful Post:
bobkatfly (05-17-2020), Top-Water (07-25-2020)