H Hour Meter Install?

[Clarkbug]

Hello All!

So I just picked up two new (to me anyway) H's this past weekend! (Pictures are up in my previous post for anyone interested)

The M I have was "customized" by the former owner, and is equipped with a key start and an hour meter.

Is there an easy way to install an hour meter on the two H's that I now have? One of them is a magneto ignition, the other has the coil and distributor, and both are 6 volt. (I know one is positive ground, Im not sure about the other)

I dont want to hack apart something original, but if I can just hit a few connections with new spade terminals or something and tuck the meter away by the battery box, that would help me out I think.

Any thoughts?

~Bug

 

[Nebraska Kirk]

On the H with battery ignition, just connect the hot wire from the hour meter to the side of the ignition switch that is hot when switch is in the on position. That way when you turn on the ignition switch to start the tractor it also turns on the hour meter. You will have to find an hour meter that will work with 6 volts.

In the magneto equiped H, your best bet is using an oil pressure switch on the engine. Use a normally open switch, when the engine is started oil pressure will close the switch, thus completing the circut and activating the hour meter.

 

[Bob M]

With coil and distributor ignition connection is a snap. Simply connect the hour meter "-" terminal to the ignition switch (not the distributor) side of the coil primary and ground the meter "+" terminal. (Presumes your H is positive ground. If neg ground reverse the connections at the hour meter.)

A magneto is a bit more complicated. Easiest probably is to install a normally open oil pressure switch (ie. with contacts that CLOSE on pressure rise). Then run a series loop from the battery to the pressure switch to the hour meter and finally to ground. (Observe meter polarity same as above)

Make sure the hour meters are good for 6 volts! (most "universal" hour meters sold now work on 6 - 32 volts)

 

[Clarkbug]

Thanks for the quick reply Kirk.

Does it matter if its positive or negative ground?

And that makes sense with the magneto. I believe thats the setup that IH used when they sold the hour meter as an add-on item, right?

I guess Im just worried from a maintenance standpoint what to do with these old gals. I get worried reading about all the things Im supposed to oil in the distributor and magneto every number of hours...

Ill be lucky if I get in 10 hour or so each on the girls this coming year, but it would be nice to be able to keep track of when I did what....

 

[Clarkbug]

And thank you Bob! Your post popped up after I posted my other one.

Those were the connections I was looking to find... Ill have to go hour meter hunting next time I get a chance.

Thanks!

 

[Dave S.]

I put one on my H with btry ignition and used the ignition switch and then went through a oil pressure switch to turn the hour meter on. This way the only way the meter runs is if the engine is running and not if the switch is left on.

The pressure switch is mounted under the hood just below the heat gauge on a brass T and cut the line going to the oil gauge then route it through the T. Mounted the hour meter just below the hood fastened to the gas tank mounting pedestal

 

[akb]

Where can you get the oil pressure switch and what do you ask for.

 

[Steven f/AZ]

http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint257.htm

 

[El Toro]

On my garden tractor I connected my hour meter to the F terminal on the generator and it only registers running time when the engine is running.
Its been there over 30 years. Hal

 

[Bob M]

Go to NAPA, Autozone, etc and tell them what you need. (If if you are lucky you'll get a counterperson who understands.)

Otherwise ask for an oil pressure SWITCH (not an oil pressure SENDER) for a 1980 Chevy Citation with a full gage package. (These cars used a normally open oil pressure switch to control the electric choke...)

 

[TractormanNC]

NAPA part # OP6616

 

[Clarkbug]

Wow, thanks for all the information everyone!

I should have looked for that article I suppose before I posted, but I wouldnt have thought to check there... And that NAPA part number is great! Thanks very much!

 

[Andy Motteberg]

Clarkbug,

I looked at your H pics and they look great! You got some nice looking tractors! Congratulations on the new tractors and if you need any help with them, post here on the Farmall Board and you will get lots of info!

Andy.

 

[akb]

TractormanNC
Napa list 3 different parts under that op6616# is it the one called Oil pressure light switch.
Thanks all for the info

 

[Clarkbug]

Thanks for the kind words Andy! Im sure that Ill have plenty of questions about the H's (along with the M I have there too...I think its jealous) sometime in the future.

 

[TractormanNC]

yes