Engine Hour Meters

[BravoMike]

I am sure the information and/or thread is somewhere on the forum, but in my quick search could not find it. Any recommendations on the best way to keep track of the engine hours? I have nothing, so do not know how many hours I have on them. Was looking at the Yamaha meters ( http://jetboatpilot.com/index.php?id_product=145&controller=product ) as a simple easy way to track the hours. What is available out there and works well?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I have Water Witch hour meters wired into my ignitions. They are a digital display meter. Very simple to install.
www.waterwitchinc.com

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[itsdgm]

Another way would be to read the hours on the ECU. It stores a lot of other data too. But to do that you would need the YDS software, cable and a laptop. The software & cable can be found pretty cheaply on eBay.

 

[txav8r]

Wow, 445 hours! Can you set those meters at current hours or do you have to account for time before you installed them manually?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

@txav8r It's 44.5 hours. You can increase hours by hooking them to a battery and letting the timer advance before install or just record what you ECU has and mentally add it.

 

[Julian]

Yeah a cable and #yds would be my preferred approach....You'll also get any errors the engine has thrown, but it is a little more involved to hook up each time you want to read the hours....but in my opinion worth it. Also consider that WHEN you sell the boat, the buyer is going to want to know the hours....so you'll either have to hook up with a board member who can read your boat or go to a dealer...so why not buy it now?

 

[BravoMike]

I have Water Witch hour meters wired into my ignitions. They are a digital display meter. Very simple to install.
www.waterwitchinc.com

View media item 841View media item 840

Thanks for the info. Cannot see the gallery. Get this:
Jet Boaters Community Forum - Error

 

[BravoMike]

Another way would be to read the hours on the ECU. It stores a lot of other data too. But to do that you would need the YDS software, cable and a laptop. The software & cable can be found pretty cheaply on eBay.

I do like the idea of being able to see more data about the engines along with the hours. Will look into this on eBay.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

@BravoMike just click on this for some info. #yds

Look in my photo gallery for pics of my hour meters.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

@BravoMike there is a issue with my pics in the gallery so here's what it looks like via an uploaded image.

 

[BravoMike]

Thank you @Murf'n'surf . I thought it was me that could not figure it out. Like the way you installed the gauges.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

@Russell had asked me:

I'm looking in to digital hour meters and I have a few questions about your set up. How are the meters secured on the backside? Is there are hand space or work area in your chosen mounting location? What size hole was needed to accommodate the meters? How well have they held up in the sun and weather?
Thanks for your answers in advance, Russell

The meters are secured by a screw on nut that hold the fiberglass behind the meter.

You can access the area easily by removing the nearby cup holder or the throttle/shifter.

I don't recall the exact size hole but it may be 2" or smaller.

My boat has only seen the outdoors for the time I'm using it. After 11 years it is still in almost showroom condition. So, I can't comment on how the gauges hold up to sun and weather. The gauges do appear to be very well built and I don't see an issue with sun and weather. They are made for boats by a reputable company. I'm sure they have newer models available now... I'll have to go take a look!