I'd like to start doing my maintenance based on hours, not miles. But I don't have an hour meter. Anyone installed one, and if so-- how did you hook it up?

It would have to be pretty simple, right?

Justin

 

I'd venture a guess that any decent marine supply store would have some sort of kit in stock. I can't imagine much more than a key-on voltage source and a ground would be required. To be really fussy, some sort of crank sensor interrupt could be added, but how many hours is your key on with the engine off? Sounds like a cool project!

 

Just wire it to an ignition hot line. When you turn the ignition one, hour meter runs.

 

+ 12v to meter, oil pressure sw to provide ground.

 

On this topic, what intervals could I use for oil changes based on hours? I've noticed from driving my van that mostly city driving gives me an average speed of about 18mph. Hwy driving I can average almost 40mph.

If I use 200hrs, that gives me a mileage range of 3600miles on the short end 8000 miles on the hwy end. I'm convinced I can go quite a bit farther than that-- 250hours seems perfectly reasonable to me unless I'm missing something obvious.

Thoughts?

jh

 

Hohn, lets us know how you did this. Part numbers etc....

I think I might do it as well.

Jim

 

I put one on my 98 12v about 5 years ago. Can't remember what I tapped into, but I know the truck had to be running for it to work. I was changing my oil on 200 hour intervals. This was when I was using it for work. I was doing quite a bit of idling in the winter. I know it is bad, but hey it is way better than freezing my moose knuckles! I think it is a way better way of doing oil changes than by mileage.

 

I change oil around 150-200 hours, dont pay attention to the miles at all,

 

Hobbs meters are easy installs - I've put them on the GTO, generators, shop equipment, etc.

Only reason I didn't install one on the '05 is because it came with one from Dodge!

Thanks Justin for reminding me of something else I need to get on the website...

http://lazarsmith.com/Gauges.html

 

Found one from AM:

https://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stor...0002_142864_-1

jh

 

This is how I would wire it... also would do 200-250hr maintenence! I work for a Forklift dealership and we service the diesel lifts every 250hrs and they are usually worked much harder than our trucks!

 

k, this might be a dumb question, but dont you have an hour meter in the overhead display?

Randy

 

I think they reset after awhile, but I'm not sure. Also, he might not have one.

 

My '05 has one that reads out in the dash - haven't checked it in a while, though - I need to look up how to display it again.

Not sure if 3rd Gens have it back to '03, but I assume so.

 

this is a good idea Justin...I know this is done on a lot of touring cars and endurance racecars...ussually to document hours on the motor for rebuild cycles. In the case of the CTD it would be a good indicator of service interval moreso if the truck was used hard for competition or work related duty. I think Isspro makes an hour meter as well...I'd like one that had a reset on it as well, anyone know of one that does?