Add New Hour Meter

[Tsivak]

Hi Everyone,
I want to add a new engine hour meter. Can someone help me identify a good 12 volt DC source for only when the engine is running.
the gauge can be installed on the motor to make it easier.
i have a 2007 206.
Any guidance is appreciated

[jpwhit]

I’m not aware of 12v source that is only active when the engine is running. The way the stock analog gauges work on most boats is by only counting hours when RPM pulses are being generated. You can look for a stand-alone hour gauge that checks for an rpm signal. The closest I can think of for a 12v source, is the output of the fuel pump relay. It’s not 100% only when the engine it running, but it’s pretty close. It runs a limited amount when the ignition is on but the engine isn’t running.

[Tsivak]

Thank you!

[jtryon]

the gauge needs a pulse to start adding hours, not just 12v if that's what you're looking to do. i did this last year to a new Faria hour meter because my old one never worked. i bought this on amazon to do it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QKPLR4M...fed_asin_title

it's easy to wire up, and you just have to turn up the pulse settings on the board until it starts counting your gauge hours up. my boat was at 700+ hours, so the thing ran in my garage for a month i'd be glad to send it to you if you send a shipping label, as mine should work out of the box with it's current pulse settings.

[Tsivak]

Thank you

[MN Ryan]

I've added a Tiny Tach to an outboard in the past to keep track of hours for maintenance. They make them for all kinds of applications, so I am sure they have one that would work on your boat. They were great to deal with, as well.

https://www.tinytach.com/tinytach

[jpwhit]

the gauge needs a pulse to start adding hours, not just 12v if that's what you're looking to do. i did this last year to a new Faria hour meter because my old one never worked. i bought this on amazon to do it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QKPLR4M...fed_asin_title

it's easy to wire up, and you just have to turn up the pulse settings on the board until it starts counting your gauge hours up. my boat was at 700+ hours, so the thing ran in my garage for a month i'd be glad to send it to you if you send a shipping label, as mine should work out of the box with it's current pulse settings.

You can get hour gauges that just count whenever they receive 12V power or there are ones that need 12V and an RPM signal to count. I think the original poster is trying to add one that just counts whenever it get's 12V, and therefore was looking for a place on the engine to tap into a 12V power source that is only active when the engine is running. Hence the output of the fuel pump relay is probably the closest thing.

I wasn't under the impression that he's looking to run the meter up to the current engine hours as you've done. But maybe he does or maybe he'll decide to do that knowing how to do it. It's really easy with a meter that counts anytime it has power. For one that requires an RPM signal your approach will do the trick.

[jtryon]

i'd only want an hour meter that goes off RPM signal and 12v. you hear many reports from older boat owners like "250 hours, but the hour meter says 600 because we play music at the party cove." it's silly to have an hour meter that stays on with the key.

[Tsivak]

Thank you for the reply! Yes I am looking to add the simple hour meter when supplied with 12 volts.
that said, the tiny tach also looks great.
thanks to all for the advice