|
Post by sailorbill on Nov 16, 2009 22:51:28 GMT
The engine hours run meter on my SO362 doesn't work. It is completely blank. It is on the rev counter in the instrument panel (for volvo penta MD2030) and is the panel without the key switch. I've checked the cables at the back of the switch and they all appear to be connected ok. Has anyone experienced a similar problem and resolved it? Thanks
|
|
|
Post by flightdeck on Nov 17, 2009 1:41:38 GMT
G'day sailorbill, We have a bit of the same on our SO32 with a Volvo MD2020 control panel sounds like yours. Many times the hour LCD is "gone" then shows up again from time to time. The most reliable readings I get, is when I hit the button to activate the panel, most times then there is something readable, but once the engine is running numbers go too. Appears to be a "common" thing from what I have found on other forums. Here I thought it had to do with too much sunshine, which can't be the case looking at where you are located, or is it a power save thing ha-ha Cheers
|
|
|
Post by sailbleu on Nov 18, 2009 6:05:37 GMT
same thing here, the last time I had some indication was on my trip to London last summer. We where cruising on engine during the night and I could see the very faint numbers when looking real close to the display, the time was ticking so the instrument works. That was the last time i had an update. Sailorbill, if you would accidently stumble uppon the reason for this failure , please let us know. Maybe jeanneau or volvo have an explanation , although I can imagin they are reluctant to share their confession.
|
|
|
Post by sailbleu on Nov 18, 2009 6:54:06 GMT
Ok Sailorbill , by posting your problem you kinda set my gear in motion. Had some time left this morning and googled around using the sentence " hour meter volvo ". Numerous forums wil give you the reason for this failure. I'm glad you brought the subject of a failing hour meter back under attention. In a way i accepted my blank display, but by reading your message and responding to it I might have found a temporary solution. Get the tacho out , dry it thourouly , put it back in , check the hours and install an external hour meter so you're ok for future maintenance. Moisture seems to be enemy number one.
|
|
|
Post by sailorbill on Nov 18, 2009 20:49:23 GMT
Thanks for these responses. Taking it out and drying it may be the best point to start. I'm getting nothing on it at the moment so it can't get any worse. I'll let you know if this has any effect.
|
|
|
Post by sailbleu on Nov 19, 2009 7:20:39 GMT
I'll let you know if this has any effect. Please do sailorbill. Than all of us struggling with the same problem get more confirmation that it's worthwhile taking it out. Although I have second feelings about it being a long lasting solution. But then again,....when in doubt try it out. Greetz
|
|
|
Post by flightdeck on Nov 22, 2009 21:37:43 GMT
No it's still crazy, started engine at 8am no sign's of anything on the meter, started engine at 7pm and there all the numbers were, had to use a flashlight, but they were there, so is the flashlight the trick, no nothing there next morning or night with or without the flashlight. It's been hot 30C + and sunny here for some time so the moist thought will be interesting to follow. Cheers
|
|
|
Post by sailbleu on Apr 15, 2010 3:55:52 GMT
Sailorbill ,
any luck with the hourmeter yet ?
|
|
|
Post by flightdeck on Jun 17, 2010 21:33:56 GMT
Any news on this issue, my display has been "gone" for months and then last weekend when it was really cold here (16C) ..... there it was, now I know I'm only 1/2 way to next engine service, would be good to hear if Sailorbill made any headway by taking the instrument home. Cheers
|
|
|
Post by sailbleu on Mar 16, 2011 7:20:14 GMT
Received an email from Bill last week telling me he didn't get the hour meter to work again. The drying trick was no succes. Back to the drawingboard i guess
|
|
rick63
Full Member
Posts: 33
Jeanneau Model: SO 409 (2012)
Yacht Name: Topaz
Home Port: Troon
|
Post by rick63 on Apr 15, 2011 21:35:24 GMT
I have had a similar problem over the last two seasons on my SO35, yanmar instrument. Last weekend I stripped it out to try and find the problem. Discovered that the wiring harness just before the plug had at some point in the past overheated and the outer coating of the wire for the hour meter had slightly melted. It was not shorting but once I separated the cables (they were slightly stuck together) and applied a new coating of insulating tape plus cleaned the terminals I had the readings back on the meter.
I am away again this weekend so I will know if the display remains visible(not much wind forecast so will have the engine running for 4-5 hours)
|
|
|
Post by flightdeck on Apr 17, 2011 22:54:21 GMT
Best progress I have had is finding somebody who refurbish the instrument for AUS$220 with 12 months warranty. Funny thing did happen in the weekend, I have just had a 1000hour service done as I thought it was due or even past the time, did tell them about the hour meter problem and was quoted AUS$600 for a new instrument, anyhow we went away for 3 days and on the 2nd day there it came up 996.4 hours right on target, next day nothing on the meter, anyhow now I have some time to investigate more on the problem. Cheers
|
|
|
Post by marmalade11 on Apr 19, 2011 22:05:32 GMT
This is defiantly a Volvo problem as i have a 29.2 with a MD2020 same problem My previous boat had exactly the same engine fitted and guess what that didn't work either Volvo have a lot to answer for fantastic engines but electrics room for improvement.
|
|
|
Post by Don Reaves on Apr 20, 2011 0:13:13 GMT
It would be really difficult to spend $600 (AUS or otherwise) to replace a part when you could add another for under $50 (US). Since my SO35 didn't come with an hour meter, I added a mechanical one in the engine compartment. It's wired to be energized whenever the key is in the "ON" position. Maybe not the best arrangement, but it's reliable and only cost about $50.
|
|
|
Post by flightdeck on Apr 20, 2011 2:43:59 GMT
Agree re the $600, but it does say VOLVO, just that must be worth 3-400 dollars NOT Your fix to the problem looks good. Cheers
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2013 13:57:25 GMT
Our new SO37 (second hand) has a blank hour counter as well. On the web I found a solution with a replacement display and that is an easy fix. But I want to know the amount of hours and they are stored in the memory of the counter pcb. Does anyone have an idea how I can read it out.
Back at home I let it dry and test the counter with only 12V connected. Would that be enough also with a properly functioning counter or do I need to connect the S connectors as well ( I assume not because they are for the speedo). And what about that separate single wire connector. What is its purpose?
|
|
|
Post by 3buoysailing on Aug 4, 2018 8:41:27 GMT
It would be really difficult to spend $600 (AUS or otherwise) to replace a part when you could add another for under $50 (US). Since my SO35 didn't come with an hour meter, I added a mechanical one in the engine compartment. It's wired to be energized whenever the key is in the "ON" position. Maybe not the best arrangement, but it's reliable and only cost about $50. Hi, I have a 45DS with a Yanmar Engine and have the same problem that is being discussed. Some times it’s on sometimes it isn’t!!!!
|
|
|
Post by ForGrinsToo on Oct 5, 2018 21:50:32 GMT
I bought this meter for $14 US: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CNK58SI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1I installed long pigtails and split the feed to the engine compartment blower which is always on when the key is. I used cable ties to support the meter until I can build a mount from polyethylene (King Starboard), much like Don Reaves has described. Seems to be working fine and just one time in two weeks aboard was I able to read the VDO tach display, so now I just add 974.1 hours to whatever the new meter reports to get a total. Mostly what I need is hours since last fill anyway. Alas, For Grins Too is on the hard until May. Geoff
|
|
|
Post by pbunning on Oct 6, 2018 19:04:01 GMT
We have similar problem with Yanmar panel. Spoke to local Yanmar/Volvo agent last week. Apparently it is a common problem. They currently have a number of faulty units. Told it is possible to remove and dry out, but the problem will re-occur. I intend to fit a separate engine hour meter at a cost of a few pounds - something I did on my last boat (SO34.2) and mount it below in a more convenient location to take readings.
|
|
|
Post by Mistroma on Oct 7, 2018 6:38:20 GMT
It is a very well known problem with the Yanmar rev counter. IT is a VDO unit and wouldn't be surprised to find Volvo using the same unit. The weak point is the small ribbon cable connecting to the LCD display. I have taken mine apart a couple of times and put a pad in to press the connection home. This is a temporary fix and really need to be something permanent. I'm not certain if the connection is soldered, it looks more like adhesive only. I found a document somewhere a couple of years ago describing the procedure to dismantle. I'm afraid that I have no idea about the source but it is worth reading it (see link below). www.mistroma.com/Manuals/YanmarTachRepair.pdfIt might be worth Googling to see if the author ever did work out how to attach the cable.
|
|
|
Post by wildfire on Oct 7, 2018 16:51:40 GMT
I've got a very similar problem with the tacho on my Volvo Penta MD2020. I had suspected a break in the wires on the ribbon cable to the LCD but it all looks okay. I have started building an Arduino based replacement display as described on this link mtech.dk/thomsen/Husky/repairs/vdo.php but I'll try cleaning off the silicon as suggested above first.
|
|
|
Post by snwl on Oct 8, 2018 7:08:33 GMT
|
|
|
Post by ForGrinsToo on Oct 9, 2018 13:49:40 GMT
|
|
|
Post by MalcolmP on Oct 9, 2018 16:27:47 GMT
Using google translate, he says that the counting is not within the display, but on the board. He is just selling the LCD The video of the change over procedure is very good and interestingly he says that it will fit both Volvo and Yanmar, but the procedure is slightly different for the Yanmar and he will advise purchasers how to do this
|
|
|
Post by wildfire on Dec 30, 2018 20:36:58 GMT
Finally got round to fitting the Arduino Nano based replacement for the LCD screen and it works great ! The OLED display looks much better than the LCD and it's easy to read in the dark. The instructions at mtech.dk/thomsen/Husky/repairs/vdo.php are reasonably easy to follow, the trickiest bits are cutting out part of the existing display to take the new screen (but this is hidden in the assembled unit so it doesn't matter if you make a hash of it) and soldering 4 wires onto the existing PCB. Total cost = £9.50, probably about 5 or 6 hours work.
Happy to try and help if any-one else wants to do this.
|
|