See full version: Do Yamaha outboards have hour meters
The meter can usually be found above the engine or somewhere around the steering area of the boat. The numbers on the meter show how many hours the engine has been in use. If there is no hour meter, one should be installed by a marine mechanic. here
Likewise, what is considered a lot of hours on a boat motor? The average marine gasoline engine runs for 1,500 hours before needing a major overhaul. The average marine diesel engine will run for more than three times that long and log an average 5,000 hours under the same conditions.
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If the gauge is replaced, then all the hours are reset and it’s back to zero! So there is no way of “really” telling how many hours an engine has. Just by going off of the hour meter on the boat.
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Here is everything that you need to know about how to check for the engine’s hours and what they mean for you and tell you about the engine!
Re: How does the engine hour-meter work?
Nothing should be wired directly to the battery.
Re: How does the engine hour-meter work?
I took alternator for refurb & it turned out one bearing & regulator was shot
All in all a useful exercise although expensive here
Following advice from this forum i purchased one from RS
It is wired into the alternator so when not revolving no charge so no hours
Fitting it was a useful exercise as the studs on the alternator were rusty. normally i would have left well alone but i deliberately tried to undo them on the basis that if ever i broke any wires to the alternator i would not be able to renew them. Sure enough 2 broke here
Most are electrical, simply wired with the ignition (as is mine). They can also be connected via an oil pressure switch or some other sensor that will allow the hour meter to count only when the engine is actually running.
This is why I never do exercise, I figure a human heart is good for a given number of beats. [links]
. as nimbusgb has already writ.