Yanmar 4JH4E hour meter failure

[Alaska Neil]

Howdy, I recently bought a 1974 Fisher 30 in mint shape with a Yanmar 4JH4E diesel with about 2,500 hours on it. I'm very pleased with the boat and how well the engine starts, runs & performs -but the hour meter doesn't work. It's the one that comes with the Yanmar engine gauge package. The light works but no reading.
-Has anyone had this problem & fixed it?
-Otherwise what is the best replacement to install?
I'm looking forward to 3+ months of cruising in SE AK and North this summer.
Thanks!

[Cheechako]

You can get one from most auto parts places. Dobbs meter. Easiest to try to find one the same diameter as the existing. However, make sure a wire hasn't just come loose on the back first!
Yours may be molded into the panel on the front? If so then surgery may be required. Also check Ebay for a yanmar equivalent one.

[a64pilot]

If it's one with the panel and not removable, I'd mount another somewhere else.
Mine failed on me, I replaced it easily as it was a standard round 2" I believe.

[deblen]

Hobbs Meter | eBay

[seasick]

@Alaska Neil, is yours the LCD Hobbs Meter incorporated in the tach or separate as in a mechanical 2" gauge as in the "D" type Yanmar Panel?

[sailorjed3]

Hmmm. My wife accuses me of being cynical sometimes, but could the hour meter have been directly sabotaged to prevent you from knowing the "real"" hours?

[MikeTC]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

If it's one with the panel and not removable, I'd mount another somewhere else.
Mine failed on me, I replaced it easily as it was a standard round 2" I believe.

I did this also with digital ones from eBay. Very cost effective. No need for them to be in open view.

[akprb]

Keep the old one! Our last two boats had failed meters that the owners replaced and had the old ones on hand. It helps to ease the mind a bit and I am one to generally trust :-)

[seasick]

If yours is the LCD type part and parcel to the tachometer, remove the gauge or just access the back of it and carefully remove every bit of the silicone that was put on at the factory. This silicone becomes conductive over time. This procedure has brought new life to many digital hour meters.

If it is the electro-mechanical type, trace first the full length of the black ground wire looking for corrosion, then do the same with the red/black wire. Most connect to the alternator I believe and this is usually where you'll find the break.

[Alaska Neil]

Mine is the mechanical 2" gauge that comes in the "D" type Yanmar Panel.
THANKS

[mikequig]

My 3ym30 led meter failed after about 2200 hours...... I think moisture or perhaps the post about the silicon more correctly identifies the problem. As for my installation, the led works sometimes, especially if it's been hot and dry. I simply cut a hole with a hole saw next to the instrument panel and mounted a Hobbs (not dobbs) meter, printed a label to add +2200 hours to the analog reading.

[01kiwijohn]

My 30GMF had none, so I used an aftermarket, solid state one, wired into the oil pressure sender circuit. That way, no danger of wracking up hours by inadvertently leaving the key on. Lasted 11 years so far.

[roverhi]

Originally Posted by 01kiwijohn

My 30GMF had none, so I used an aftermarket, solid state one, wired into the oil pressure sender circuit. That way, no danger of wracking up hours by inadvertently leaving the key on. Lasted 11 years so far.

The same as O1kiwijohn. Wired the 'Hobbs' style meter into switched circuit at the key. It runs with the key turned on but no big thing as the key is only on when the engine is running or about to be started or stopped.

[Delafontaine]

as stated by seasick in post #9
If yours is the LCD type part and parcel to the tachometer, remove the gauge or just access the back of it and carefully remove every bit of the silicone that was put on at the factory.
This silicone becomes conductive over time.
Here on Cruisers forum, we have already meet this problem numerous times:
http:////www.cruisersforum.com/forum...ng-147536.html

GordMay gave a detailed solution, in colour, with a nice pdf document, in post #3 - http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...7&d=1433685138

[Alaska Neil]

I ordered a 2" Hobbs hour meter online. My boat is 1000 miles away in Haines, AK so when I arrive there to take off for the summer either I find the lose wire on the old one or I replace it.
Thank all of you for your thoughts and ideas.
Happy Sailing