How to get Engine Hours on Leyland and Tata trucks?

Couldn't you just run a fused line from the alternator output to a small light in the dash?

Light on=truck running

Light off=truck off

Also check fuse panel. There are usually a couple of spare slots. You may be able to run from one of those to indicate engine running.

1. Not all trucks have alternators (some have "dynamos")

2. Need continuous voltage, not a sine wave

3. It is for consumption by a device, not for a human to look at

Nothing here worked?

Won't the mk.1 ear do the job?

There could be several sources. On gas engines it could be a sense wire rapped around the ignition coil wire, tach signal or a wire that control the fuel pump, or a pressure sensor that closes when oil and or fuel pressure is there when engine is running.

Diesel Injector pulses, tach signal, oil and or fuel pressure or any voltage source that only present when engine is operation not just with key on.

You just need to figure what going to be your signal source for your vehicles will determine what type of hour meter you use.

To be consistence install a "T" in the oil pressure sensor location with a pressure switch that closes when oil pressure is present only when engine is running. That way you only need the proper voltage run hour meter for each vehicle. Keeps troubleshooting simple if a problem develops.

Hope this helps.

Charles

Signal to fuel pump relay. If it's pumping fuel then the engine should be running. The accessories line off key switch. It's not left in this position any extended time or the batteries are dead.

If you need a must be running signal and find fault with these ideas. Then a vibration sensor on the engine block with direct feed from the accessories line.

Is there nothing else on the vehicle which uses power of any sort? I don't see how there cannot be...headlights, backup warning...something?

All of the safety systems on heavy equipment require power for the interlocks, buzzers and lights.

In any case, I never met a piece of equipment that did not already have a run-time meter.

We covered this issue in another thread a while back and beat it to death with a slide-rule.

Wait...your thread...you must already know this: http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/69091#comment733184

Hours are usually taken from engines that run almost always the same RPM. It makes no sense to do so on regular trucks, because there is a mileage indication that is proportional to the running time. Of course patterns may differ with work trucks that are shifting gears very often in quarries and earth moving places.

Hours give you no indication on how "hard" the engine is actually "working" or the work, stress and wear and tear on parts and oil that has been caused by the hour.

What is a good indicator is the amount of fuel used. Your hours, unless the engines work the same regimen will give you only hope now and desperation later.

A good log on oil change, fuel consumption and maintenance will be more reliable.

Agreed... all of these and a hub-ometer.

I am not aware of any technological revolutions that have occurred since your last thread, in which several logical solutions were presented. Unfortunately, you insist that there is a here-to-fore undiscovered tap, or circuit, that will "do it your way".

Well, just hook a meter into the ignition switch circuit and disable the radio. Then you won't have to worry about drivers sitting in the truck, listening to music.

Spend a buck, and have an hour meter installed by a competent technician.

Sarcasm never helps dude

"Sarcasm never helps dude" Has 'Dude' asked for help? Thank you, thank you... I'll be here all week.

"Sarcasm never helps, dude" Neither does sanctimony.

What do you want us to tell you? See ya later Znago.

Neither does flagellating a deceased equine.

Good luck in your continuing, never ending search.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tachometer-Hour-meter-2-4-Stroke-Small-Engine-Spark-/220746182732

If you want to make it more difficult, try this. Thread the exhaust manifold to accept a 1/2" pipe thread. Buy a coolant temperature sensor designed for a warning light. Wire your hour-meter from the battery to the meter, and from the other terminal on the meter to the terminal on the temperature sender. When the engine runs, the exhaust will get hot, and the hour meter will run.It will be slow to start, but also slow to turn off. Check with Lyn-Door industries, they may have a kit for this.

Sorry, but all LynDoor™ TrueBlue^® hour meters hook up to the ignition circuit. We do offer the optional feature, Slacker Sacker^® that can alert the big boss if someone is playing the radio, when they should be driving.

This system has proven more effective than the calibrated, dragging stick that has been the standard for many weeks.

OK all you wise guys. Having fun? Fine. Flame all you want.

Just to reiterate, I am looking to know when the engine is on. This is an input to a telematics system. Wiring to the ignition does not cut it, since you can off the truck but the ignition key is still in the on position (so you get a false reading). Not all trucks in India have alternators (older models have dynamos), and not all alternators have W terminals. Wiring has to be easy for a field technician. Signal has to be constant, not a wave form.

I don't know enough about oil pressure switches but it seems to be that they do not emit a voltage, rather they connect to ground when the pressure is on. So that will not do me any good (I think).

Vibration sensors, probes in exhaust, etc etc, are all not realistic (in this case, maybe if it was a hobby project).

Your expectations are unrealistic. It exhibits a lack of knowledge of automotive systems.

And your refusal to believe that "we" can't supply you with the solution you want, even though it doesn't exist, reinforces this.

You should fire us, and get some competent lackeys.

You know, "Lyn", clearly I am lacking in automotive systems, that is exactly why I have come here for some advice and answers. Or is this a forum for experts only? If so then please excuse me for treading on your sacred ground.

Again, save the sarcasm and cynicism. And go take your medication, seems you have been lapsing lately.

The post that I sent about the engine hour meters are what I have used for a number of years on all kinds of engines from tractors to engine powered water pumps. They do not connect to the engine ignition switch, they just sense from the spark plug when the engine is running. Not complicated at all; mount and wrap the antenna around a lead and that's it. Other than these I have not found anything better or easier. I've put them on several hundred pieces of equipment.

I understand. Only thing is that these are diesel engines, not petrol (so no spark plug)

Hey dude...learn more about oil pressure switches and give your "easy" fix for field "technicians" some playskool tools to fix this so you can move on.

I'll bite. Your hour meter has two terminals. Connect one to battery plus. Connect the other to the oil pressure indicator switch, which shorts to ground. Oil pressure switches are cheap. You're welcome. Be sure to get the polarity right.

And I'll tell you a story. I used to supervise mentally handicapped individuals. We had a contract to maintain a cemetery which involved using a weed eater. Much to my surprise one day, I discovery Joey lying on his back in the sun, dozing, and every so often, he's blipping the weed eater. Whatcha doin' with these telematics?

Thanks, but I have absolutely no idea what the point/moral of your story is....

Problem?

When this contact controls the 710 light it makes your meter run only when the engine is off? This however, combined with the earlier detailed Lyndoor solution can make it work. Or a calculator to substract from the max possible hours, usually 24/7 like 711 can help too. You can also play with the bulb if the meter doesn't need to much current and just connect over the zwitsj - between the ground of the engine and the little connector lip of the 710 "thingum".

On trucks we wire to the first key position (glow plug turn) for power to our monitoring devices that need to be on when the truck is and off when it is. On buses, we wire to the on side of the master switch.

Wiring to key first position (i.e. before the ignition position) eliminates the "engine off / monitor on" issue.

Around 10,000 units over the past 7 years....

Hmm....Does this mean I've corrected Lyn? And that I have an improvement on a LynDoor™ product? ERIII Enterprises at your service....

ER,

I have contacted Dewey, Cheatum and Howe regarding this obvious patent infringement. There must be 50 ways to do this, and we've gottum all covered.

Please cease and desist from any further public disclosure and send all documentation to: Dewey, Cheatum and Howe LLC, #1 Cheatum Lane, Hell-on-Earth AZ. 85200.

LynDoor™ Industries. We always win.

Patent search revealed that all relevant patents expired 30 - 40+ years ago.

Please provide details of the patents you claim are relevant to Swindell and Daughters LLP, High Dudgeon Lane, Scorem-on-Sea, The Mother Country.

_{Damned Colonials}

With all due respect for you, I never thought that this thread would need the electrical expertise of the English. The English, that brought us Lucas, the Plymouth Cricket, and Jaguar wiring harnesses? Lyn, there MUST be some industrial espionage going on here.

Bob,

Not to worry. DC&H has a crackerjack semantics team on the way. We are, after all, two nations separated by a common language.

I have to agree with Jaysauto1. as far as the OP Znago, you need to learn not to bite the hand that feeds you. You come here for help then the information is not what you want. If that is the case then simply go elsewhere and find your answer. The problem is simple. If there is no spark plug to measure then simply run a meter to the oil pressur switch or to the fuel pump. Another option would be to run to a tachometer. There are many ways to achieve what you want, or is it that you want us to come and do the work for you?

Oh my.... another one....

Save the sermon

You seriously think you can direct a field "technician" on how to actually use wire and connectors and solder and electrical tape and stuff in the attaching of an hour meter?

You yourself state you lack (my words) and knowledge whatsoever about how an engine works so you are too obtuse to those who want to provide you with a solution.

It's two wires, dude...learn to abide.