Hour meter?
#2
Burning Brakes
We got a cheap one from O'Reilly's and it works fine. We wired ours in so that when the key is on it runs but it would have been better to find a circut that is only hot when the key is in the run position that way you have true hours.
#5
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We go one step further and hook it up to an rpm activated module (typically used for shift lights) so that we get only on-track time (time over a specified rpm, typically 3-4000.)
Warm-up/idle time can really bump up the clock without actually putting any wear on the engine.
Warm-up/idle time can really bump up the clock without actually putting any wear on the engine.
#7
Rennlist Member
How to install????
Originally Posted by Adam@Autometrics
We go one step further and hook it up to an rpm activated module (typically used for shift lights) so that we get only on-track time (time over a specified rpm, typically 3-4000.)
Warm-up/idle time can really bump up the clock without actually putting any wear on the engine.
Warm-up/idle time can really bump up the clock without actually putting any wear on the engine.
Can you explain how you do it and what meter you use?
THX
JM
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#8
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We typically use an Autometer rpm activated module with a 3000 rpm pill.
It installs just like a shift light, but you hook up the hourmeter instead of the light. I believe we are also using Autometer hourmeters.
It installs just like a shift light, but you hook up the hourmeter instead of the light. I believe we are also using Autometer hourmeters.
#9
Burning Brakes
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The cool one to get would be an aircraft "tach timer" - it gives you equivalent hours at a certain RPM. You set a "base" speed, say 3000 RPM, and it records 1:1 at that speed, and proportionally faster at higher RPM.
#10
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
some tractors use the aircraft style hour meter as well...i have a John Deere with a VDO hour meter...records "hours at 1850 RPM".... that might be the ticket!!
#11
I'm a little ignorant. What do you do with this data? For certain motors is there data that says: 1000 hrs. 10% horsepower drops off
2000hrs 20% drops off or something like that? I never did know when it was worth it to refresh a motor unless it blew up then it was pretty obvious. I would think you would get compression leak down numbers after break in then look for a certain percentage of increased leakdown before you rebuild.
2000hrs 20% drops off or something like that? I never did know when it was worth it to refresh a motor unless it blew up then it was pretty obvious. I would think you would get compression leak down numbers after break in then look for a certain percentage of increased leakdown before you rebuild.
#12
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Adam@Autometrics
We typically use an Autometer rpm activated module with a 3000 rpm pill.
It installs just like a shift light, but you hook up the hourmeter instead of the light. I believe we are also using Autometer hourmeters.
It installs just like a shift light, but you hook up the hourmeter instead of the light. I believe we are also using Autometer hourmeters.
JM
#13
Lifetime Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by fatbillybob
I'm a little ignorant. What do you do with this data? For certain motors is there data that says: 1000 hrs. 10% horsepower drops off
2000hrs 20% drops off or something like that? I never did know when it was worth it to refresh a motor unless it blew up then it was pretty obvious. I would think you would get compression leak down numbers after break in then look for a certain percentage of increased leakdown before you rebuild.
2000hrs 20% drops off or something like that? I never did know when it was worth it to refresh a motor unless it blew up then it was pretty obvious. I would think you would get compression leak down numbers after break in then look for a certain percentage of increased leakdown before you rebuild.
If you have a 30 hour motor, then you best freshen it at that point or the bill can get really big.
BTW - The more sophisiticated 'hour meters' are done in data aq. MoTeC, for example, generates a hisogram so you can see how much time in various rpm ranges. You could see how many hours over 5,000 rpm instead of just hours. And how many hours over 11,000 rpm too.
#14
Originally Posted by SundayDriver
Most high strung race motors have a life spec. If you go beyond that, you risk catastrophic failure, but you may not see any leakdown change prior to that point.
If you have a 30 hour motor, then you best freshen it at that point or the bill can get really big.
If you have a 30 hour motor, then you best freshen it at that point or the bill can get really big.
#15
Lifetime Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by fatbillybob
Interesting, How do engine builders determine hour life? Do they just build a bunch of V8's and test until destruction to get data? It seems that with the new F1 V-8 they need more testing....
I think you are right on target about the new F1 motors needing a little more testing.