Hour Meters - Best ones?

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I've decided I want to fit hour meters to most of my equipment. The only piece currently running an hour meter is my Honda generator. I used a Briggs and Stratton internal battery hour meter for this. Since 2013, the unit is still running pretty good. These are like $25 each w/ sealed internal battery.

I've since bought a couple of these units:
Hardline Hour Meter

Both of these unit, the Briggs and the Hardline units use non-replaceable batteries. The Hardline units have up to a 10 year battery life. The 'up to 10 years' means i'll probably get 1/2 to 2/3 of that 10 year life realistically. I've seen other units from tiny tac and sec dec, but these are like $40-50 each. I'm not interested in a tachometer, only hour meter, i feel the tachometer is a waste of battery, plus i have a separate tachometer i use for maintenance. Ideally I could find an hour meter with a replaceable battery, but the ones that are sold on Amazon that have this feature have poor reviews - most seem to be Chinese/poor quality.

I need to buy a few more units, anyone have a good hour meter they recommend?
 
How about something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-X-Digital-Hour-Meter-Gauge-For-Gas-Engine-Motor-Boat-ATV-Snowmobile-Black-USA-/272483202850?hash=item3f7143b722:g:QtgAAOSw6DtYTnk2

I've not used this kind, but it says it connects to the spark plug wire.
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I bought one like this when I installed a new engine for my snow-thrower.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC12-36V-hour-meter-hourmeter-gauge-tracking-time-For-boat-tractor-car-engine/330924166443?_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D41375%26meid%3D21e9801698724f839747f875eb4fc670%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D272483202850&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

The engine had a couple wires coming out it (I thought for a head-light)
I put 2 connectors on and hooked it up. Works good.
 
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I've got 2 of the Hardline tach/ hour meters, going on 5 years now, battery still working. Not a bad value for $25....I know this doesn't answer your question..but you may already be using a good hour meter.
 
I have used one identical to your ebay link for several years on my lawnmower. It works well. I do not believe it is re-settable though. The price is good. .
 
Originally Posted By: iahawk
I've got 2 of the Hardline tach/ hour meters, going on 5 years now, battery still working. Not a bad value for $25....I know this doesn't answer your question..but you may already be using a good hour meter.


Thanks. Does your Hardline meter have a tachometer too? If so then I should get at least 5+ years since mine is just hour meter only. PS go Hawks! I'm in the cooridor.
 
If it is a piece of equipment you plan on keeping a long time the sealed battery digital ones seem like a waste of money. After 8-10 years the battery will die and you have no way of knowing what the hours were.
I prefer the old school analog ones, but they require an external switched power source. I just installed a made in china, unbranded one from Amazon I got for $14
https://www.amazon.com/TMS-Quartz-Tracto...ords=hour+meter

or if you need rectangular
https://www.amazon.com/Aimilar-Mechanica...meter&psc=1

The Hobbs brand are probably the best quality but you will probably pay more like $80 for one.
 
We've used some nice compact ones, mechanical like an old-school dash mileage gauge (they run once the oil pressure rises, via a tiny motor and electric sender) and maybe 1.5" long at most, Yamaha branded from the Marine dealer. Less than $20.

Yamaha has gone to an LCD version these days for $40. I don't like LCD screens, too fragile.

This one is all electric, compact, and looks the same. Under $20 at http://www.propowermeters.com

Mfr: ProPower Emergency Supply, LLC

Hour Meter,Boat,Truck,Tractor - 6-80 VDC Rect 713

 
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