Hour meter for a car: what it is, types, application

The resource of car engines can not be accurately tracked by the mileage. This is especially true for heavy machinery: excavators, pavers, quarry and agricultural machines. That's why they use engine hour meters, which take into account the time the motor works.

What is a vehicle hour meter

The resource of a motor is tracked by the length of time it runs. According to the data of the engine hour meter, you can find out what condition the motor is in. It shows how much resource is left, notifies when it is time to perform maintenance on the motor.

An hour meter of any type has four operating units:

• Clock.
• A recorder with indication.
• A device that records when the motor starts and stops.
• The meter drive is not available on all models, it is used to measure motor speed, torque.

When voltage is applied to the motor, the hour meter is started together with the ignition of the engine. While the motor is active, the time is recorded. When the motor stops, the meter stops counting time.

Types of hour meters

Hour meters differ in design:

• Electronic hour meters have an LCD display. They are small in size, highly accurate and reliable. However, these devices require a means of data storage that does not depend on power supply, as well as protection against resetting by unauthorized persons.
• Digital hour meters are the most modern type of such devices. They operate on programmable microcontrollers.
• Mechanical devices work on spring clocks. The running time is counted only when the engine is running. Such devices have low accuracy and reliability. They are rarely used.
• Electromechanical hour meters are simple in design, but reliable, they have been used for several decades. The time is counted by an electronic unit with a quartz resonator.

Additional features of hour meters:

• Counting the number of engine revolutions.
• Motor torque recording.
• Determining and entering data on the temperature of gases produced during engine operation.
• Signaling when the motor has run for a certain time.
• Resetting the time and data.

Mechanical and electromechanical hour meters have only basic functionality. Additional options are only available for electronic and digital counters.

Uses of hour meters

This device is used as indicated in the instructions from the manufacturer. A professional device should only be installed and set up by specialists. Household hour meters can be used independently.

Periodically check these devices to detect malfunctions. Make sure that oil, water, fuel and other liquids do not get into the hour meter. If properly installed and used, this device will last for years. The hour meter helps you save money on repairing or replacing your motor because it shows you when maintenance is needed.