the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
icon

Adding Inductive Hour Meter To Boat


Post ReplyPost New Topic
< Prev Topic Next Topic >
vwdavid 
Member - Posts: 4
Member spacespace
Joined: July 09, 2009
Posted: July 09, 2009 at 8:34 PM / IP Logged  
OK folks, this is my first post and after some browsing thought that this sub forum was most appropriate due to the chatter about ignition coils and tach signals.
I bought a very inexpensive hour meter with the hope of running it on my boat engine which uses ignition coils! This hour meter is meant to wrap around a spark wire and will automatically count engine hours when there is sparking present (ie it also has a little tachometer which I don't really care about).
So, since I don't have spark wires what to do? Well it turns out this inductive hour meter will sense and turn on when connected to any AC voltage- it sees the 3600 Hz pulse and add up run time hours. I was hoping I could just connect it to ignition on DC but of course there is no pulse and it doesn't work.
What can I connect this to on my boat that will give it a pulse when the engine is running? Can I Tap-splice it into an ignition coil wire, or a tach signal wire? Are those signals pulse?
I wonder if I can sense an inductive current from those pulsed wires? Any thoughts?
Thanks
KPierson 
Platinum - Posts: 3,527
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: April 14, 2005
Location: Ohio, United States
Posted: July 09, 2009 at 9:20 PM / IP Logged  

I would start by trying to hook it to a fuel injector.  If that doesn't work try a coil drive wire.

Kevin Pierson
vwdavid 
Member - Posts: 4
Member spacespace
Joined: July 09, 2009
Posted: July 09, 2009 at 10:03 PM / IP Logged  
Is it generally safe to tap a fuel injector signal wire or would adding a very small drain device cause other problems?
KPierson 
Platinum - Posts: 3,527
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: April 14, 2005
Location: Ohio, United States
Posted: July 10, 2009 at 5:59 AM / IP Logged  

As long as what you are adding is high impedence (low current) you shouldn't have any issues.  A fuel injector is a solenoid and the coil of the solenoid is very similar to that of a relay.  An extremely small load in addition to the fuel injector won't affect anything.

The most important thing is to make sure you make a good connection - you don't want the splice to fail and possibly break the signal going to the fuel injector (ie don't use crimp connectors, ttaps, or scotch locks).

Kevin Pierson
vwdavid 
Member - Posts: 4
Member spacespace
Joined: July 09, 2009
Posted: July 10, 2009 at 10:24 AM / IP Logged  
Thanks, so basically that rules everything out but directly soldering to the wire.
Thanks for the advice. I will update you how it turns out.
KPierson 
Platinum - Posts: 3,527
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: April 14, 2005
Location: Ohio, United States
Posted: July 10, 2009 at 11:16 AM / IP Logged  

:)

In my humble opinion, ALL splices should be soldered, but anything that is engine critical or exposed to moisture it is imperative that they are soldered and insulated properly.

Kevin Pierson
vwdavid 
Member - Posts: 4
Member spacespace
Joined: July 09, 2009
Posted: July 10, 2009 at 1:01 PM / IP Logged  
Is it OK to do a scotch lock splice to see if it works, then, make it permanent?
Does a scotch lock (if correct size used) cut the wire? I'd guess not, that if it didn't work I could just take it off and tape it up nice and tight where the insulation was pinched.
KPierson 
Platinum - Posts: 3,527
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: April 14, 2005
Location: Ohio, United States
Posted: July 10, 2009 at 2:20 PM / IP Logged  
A scotchlock, by design, won't cut the wire.  However, if you use the wrong sized connector on the wrong size wire it can cut in to the wire.
Kevin Pierson
ckeeler 
Gold - Posts: 1,461
Gold spacespace
Joined: June 20, 2008
Location: New Mexico, United States
Posted: July 10, 2009 at 3:49 PM / IP Logged  
the other down side to them is they fall off easily. especially in a situation like a boat. and they allow corrosion into the wire, especially in a situation like a boat. but for a temporary test, it shouldnt hurt as long as the wire doesnt get cut by it.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

  Printable version Printable version Post ReplyPost New Topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

  •  
Search the12volt.com
Follow the12volt.com Follow the12volt.com on Facebook
Thursday, March 28, 2024 • Copyright © 1999-2024 the12volt.com, All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy & Use of Cookies
Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

Secured by Sectigo
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
Support the12volt.com
Top
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer