Mule hour meter
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
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Mule hour meter
I bought a "new" Mule, rope start, and it has an hour meter on the back. With no electric system what runs it? Wires are cut off, data plate is missing from the Mule so I don't know what model it is. Has Bubba been working on this machine?
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- USMC Sergeant
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- G-Lieutenant General
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Re: Mule hour meter
Must be a 4 VDC meter to work. "-" wire is ground, "+" wire is Y'ed into the magneto switch wire. Bear in mind, if the hour meter is shorted internally, it will also ground the magneto and prevent the engine from running.
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
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Re: Mule hour meter
Thanks. I will apply 4vdc to it and see if it runs. Al
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- G-First Lieutenant
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Re: Mule hour meter
One of my customers while testing an hour meter noticed it not clocking time with the engine running at idle. The voltage from the magneto was less than 4 volts. Voltage at 2000 rpms was above 4 volts and the hour meter started to run.
Mules are my passion
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Re: Mule hour meter
There was a certain parts vendor who was selling 12 VDC Hobbs meters for use in this application and when the meter would not work, he told the customer that they must have damaged the meter during installation and would not refund their money! Vendor is no longer in business!
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- G-First Lieutenant
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Re: Mule hour meter
Contact me if you need an Hour Meter e-mail preferred or PM. I have new M274 Hour Kits that includes the Y connector and Mounting Bracket.
Mules are my passion
www.m274armymules.com
www.m274armymules.com
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- G-Staff Sergeant
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Re: Mule hour meter
My hour meter says “QUARTZ” on it. Can I connect it directly to the alternator and ground it? Or... can I connect it to the magneto or the magneto switch(on/off)?
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Re: Mule hour meter
The regular Mule Hobbs Hour Meter operates on 4 + volts and is wired into the magneto. The voltage from the magneto energizes the hour meter using a pulse of the primary output voltage at the condenser. If your Quartz Hour meter requires a constant voltage then it will short the magneto so it will not run the engine. If it must be connected to a constant supply of voltage the Alternator is a great source.
Mules are my passion
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www.m274armymules.com
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- G-Staff Sergeant
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Re: Mule hour meter
Thanks for the reply. One quick question: Since the alternator and battery are linked, And I connect the hour meter to the alternator, would the hour meter run when the engine is off or Is the alternator dead and not supplying power?
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Re: Mule hour meter
With a single wire alternator you will be attached to 12 V hot whether the mule is running or not running. So if the hourmeter runs on 12 V it’ll need to be on a switch circuit so the circuit is on when the mule is running and the circuit is off when it’s not running.
Mules are my passion
www.m274armymules.com
www.m274armymules.com
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- G-Staff Sergeant
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Re: Mule hour meter
Thanks, Muleman. I put on a on/off switch.
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Re: Mule hour meter
Thanks, Muleman. I put on a on/off switch.
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- G-Sergeant
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Re: Mule hour meter
If you have a 12v system and hourmeter you can switch the hourmeter by adding an oil pressure switch to ground the power lead to run the meter. (Make sure it CLOSES on pressure!)
1951 M38
1953 M37
1962 Navy DJ3a
1969 M274 A5
Member of:
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1953 M37
1962 Navy DJ3a
1969 M274 A5
Member of:
AMVCC & AHMTA
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