Engine hour meter

Jun 5, 2004
241
Catalina 30 MkII Foss Harbor Marina, Tacoma, WA
...my hour meter gave out last weekend. It's combined with the tach. An archives search indicated this is common and the easiest fix is to install a Hobbs meter. Has anyone done this?...wondering where you located the new meter.
Thanks
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,102
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
"...and the easiest fix is..." to find why it stopped working. Really.

It's most usually a bad connection at the back of the alternator.

Find that first before you do something else.

Good luck.
 
Nov 7, 2012
678
1978 Catalina 30 Wilbur-by-the-Sea
Does the tach still work? If so a hobbs may be the best bet. Looking at amazon one can be has for $11. Pretty good because I was thinking of getting a new one for my rebuilt motor since mine has thousand of hours on it.
 
Nov 7, 2012
678
1978 Catalina 30 Wilbur-by-the-Sea
Makes the math easier. Boat came with no motor so the hours meter is just a random number, may as well start at zero with the new old motor.
 
Jun 2, 2014
602
Catalina 30 mkII - 1987 Alamitos Bay Marina, LB, CA
I bought my boat this year (its a 1987) and it came with 21 hours on the meter.
All the other parts are labeled changed at 800 hours. I'm told that the panel or the meter (not sure) was changed at 800 hours.
 

MH

.
Mar 21, 2005
23
- - NC
When I bought boat earlier this year the meter wasnt working. I added a new meter and installed it in the engine compartment. As soon as it was hooked up the original meter started working. I think I connected the wires to the same place as the original meter and in doing so fixed the bad connection. So now I have two meters.
 
Jun 5, 2004
241
Catalina 30 MkII Foss Harbor Marina, Tacoma, WA
...yes tach works fine. I did already check the all elect. connections to the tach and starter switch. It shares a ground with a bunch of other stuff...engine panel gauges...they all work. Thought about locating the Hobbs high in the lazerette...protected and short wire runs. Thanks for the input.