Engine Hour Gauge Circuit

[SteveB]

Engine Hr gauge on my new-to-me 1984 Hunter 34 is not getting juice. Pulled the gauge and it works off the battery. Continuity test on the circuit indicates no circuit. Anybody run into this and have any advice on tracing the circuit? Any sources for wiring diagram? I also use the gauge to estimate fuel consumption. Thanks for any tips.

Steve

 

[Steve Dion]

Steve:

You just need to track the circuit back to it's battery source. Where is the meter mounted? There is a good chance that it was hooked up to a hot lead off of the ignition switch. That is probably in the wire loom.

 

[SteveB]

Steve, thanks for the quick reply. Meter is mounted next to breaker panel. Negative lead is connected in the wire loom. I'll try to trace the positive lead.

steve

 

[Bill Roosa]

Positive lead

has to go through the ignition switch, otherwise it is just a clock.
As a general rule when something stoppes working I ask myself, What have I been doing in that area lately? odds are something you or someone else has worked on messed up something by accident.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Steve, I have exactly the same set-up on my 34. Bill is right it has to go to the ignition switch. But since it was almost always an addition on all these boats, it is not part of the original wiring diagram.

Gauge works you say so I would put it back in place, then since it is the shortest wire and easiest to work on I would check the negative circuit from the gauge to the breaker. If you have continuity there, then obviously your problem lies with the hot wire coming from the switch. If connection at the gauge looks good, undo the switch panel cover inside the stern cabin and check it at the switch. You might find some corrosion there. Clean and try again. If it still doesn't work, then use a long wire and go direct from the switch to the gauge.
Tedious but easy to do. Good luck

 

[SteveB]

Bill and Claude,

Thanks for the advice. You are right. I traced the negative lead backwards and fund it had been cut under the sole just forward of the engine compartment. Spliced a replacement section (different color and splices below the nav station and up in engine compartment) and works perfectly. Will help jog this old memory for maintenance schedules. Appreciate the quick responses.

Steve