INSTALL Hour Meter on Small Engine Generator

[@jimihendrix4376]

You've probably discovered by now these are throwaway Generators, good job on the meter!

[@Rvdaydream]

Technically, all small engines are throw away since the the early 90's..

[@zacandmillie]

By coincidence I have just purchased the same generator in Australia but just with different company branding. I now know just how to attach my meter. Thank you.

[@nonrevhogan8938]

I surely don’t understand why the companies don’t just have a cheap meter on all the generators.Pretty ridiculous to me. Nice simple install video. 👍👍

[@petehoward8494]

Totally agree

[@zacandmillie]

I paid $7 in Australia for one of these hour meters. If mass produced and installed on new generators the cost would be negligible, a $ or 2 at most. Anyway, after watching this video I'm going to put mine on as shown.

[@13yearsaprepperr.jtilbury.51]

I purchased a GASMATE gen 2200 the real reason it has a meter built in shows hours , frequency and volts ,, So much better , they should all have this ,, great vid man

[@nelsongonzalez7463]

It seems so obvious but thank you for taking the time to actually show your work I was getting sick of videos skipping ahead and saying things like alright I went ahead and go the hour meter installed

[@backwoodsbear1117]

I've been watching your videos for about a month and at first I negatively thought "this guy sure sounds like a know it all". I was right with the wrong perception! Great videos and thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience! Wishing your son the best as he begins to live his dream.

[@Rvdaydream]

Thanks for watching 😁 He is kind of a know it all 🤣 ~Heidi~

[@WeretheRoberts]

I put one of these on our generator when it was new about 5 years ago and the battery inside it finally died... The way the batteries are siliconed in they're pretty much impossible to replace and the meter is almost as cheap as the replacement battery anyway... lol Unfortunately when the battery died the screen went blank. Boooo!!! Anyway, I put on a new one that started at zero and wrote the date and old hours on it with a sharpie to show the meter had been replaced... Any hints on adding hours to a meter without running the generator? Sometimes my math is bad hahaha

[@Alvin-1138]

Stumbled on your channel, just wanted to say Thanks! This video is well lit, well paced, step by step and warns of gotcha's. Nicely Done!

[@tucsonjack3991]

Nice job. Maybe use an industrial strength double sided tape to mount the meter if someone can't find good location to drill 2 holes ?

[@dougharlow6037]

This is a great video. I have a Predator 3500 and the hour meter works but the volt, amp is not working, Is there a setup volt and amp like this for my situation?

[@ryanhillman5126]

Thank you for the videos, i watch you all the time. You have taught me so much. I hope to run into you someday out on the road. We have the same idea on full time rv’ing. Keep the videos coming. Thanks again. Ryan

[@jadd6810]

The green light on the Hondas saying that its providing power blinks however many hundred hours they have when you very first start them. Yours wont do it until you hit 100 hours. At 100 when you very first start it, it will flash once then stay on. Good to know for when you go to buy a second ;-) Also if you didnt know you can daisy chain your 2200 to a 2000, not just another 2200.

[@Rvdaydream]

You're correct however you need to be very cautious because only certain serial number eu2000 can be paralleled with the new eu2200..

[@fishingandcampingchannel8682]

Thank you you r very helpful

[@wayneschenk5512]

I’ve got mine on the air ducting under the cover and attached it with silicone.

[@billmellinger1134]

Went to the link and read about meter. It say it is powered by a small internal battery sealed inside. It says battery life 3 years does that mean after 3 years the meter is no good?

[@Rvdaydream]

Hard to say. The only way I know for sure wait until after 3 years.

[@jandblawncare8570]

Mike, have you had any trouble with that vibration triggered hour meter you reviewed last summer. I ordered it and its kind of weird, it shuts off even while the generator is running. I haven't had to use the generator yet but have had it running a few times and seems to be stuck on .9

[@Rvdaydream]

It's not a vibration meter. It senses the electrical pulses that are sent through the wire. If yours is not registering then it could mean the wire is touching the engine or some other ground source.

[@jandblawncare8570]

@@Rvdaydream Just so we're talking about the same thing, I get the new meter you just showed, this one worked on vibration only, no wire to wrap around etc.

[@merlew357]

Tired of guessing on hours for oil changes. Time to get one.

[@philliphall5198]

Every engine needs one

[@thepaintedsaguaro6938]

I have a small 11” 1954 Terry Trailer, that I will be actually living in for several months. I’m so confused by wattage and amperage. No one at any of the places I’ve shopped at, seem to have much more of a clue than I do. What’s the difference between a dual fuel gen, and the champion 1000. Also, how do you determine what wattage you need based on your usage? Sorry if these are dumb questions, but my head is spinning trying to figure out all the stuff I need. Thank you.

[@Rvdaydream]

Basically you need to figure out how much amperage your small RV uses. Basically if you don't have any appliances inside that use household electricity you might be able to get away with something very small like this Sportsman 1000. However if you plan on using a microwave, or a hair dryer, or a small ceramic electric heater those things are all High amperage draw items. Even electric coffee pots and other type of heating items that run off Electric usually require a decent amount of amperage. I would include a link to a site that will help you decide which one you need. Remember just because you have some pig electrical items that you might be using oh, it doesn't mean that you will necessarily be using them at the same time. For example we have a Honda 2200 generator that we'll run our rooftop air conditioner, however we turn off the air conditioner if we want to use the microwave because it will not power both the AC and the microwave at the same time. We could buy a bigger generator that cost more money, that uses more gas, and is heavier that puts out more power and be able to run more things simultaneously however it would be best just to be Thrifty with your power usage. Here's the link it should help out. www.steadypower.com/pages.php?pageid=133

[@thepaintedsaguaro6938]

RVdaydream thank you!!

[@MC-hs4mf]

@@thepaintedsaguaro6938 Amos x volts equals watts so if your TV is 5 amps at 120 volts you need 600 watts but TVs and fridges and ac use a lot of starting amps then they drop so once it starts you have some wiggle room. Dual fuel runs propane or in gas but 3000 watt generator dual fuel may only be 2700 watts in propane.

[@thepaintedsaguaro6938]

C. M. That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to understand, and you answered it in a few simple sentences. I genuinely appreciate your help. 😊

[@MC-hs4mf]

@@thepaintedsaguaro6938 I could be slightly wrong on the different rate of watts between gas and propane but I know a 3000 watt generator dual fuel differs in watts depending on which fuel is used ie 3000 may actually equal 2700 depending on the fuel source. There's also the battery and inverter option but you have to keep the batteries charged. Also jackery and "solar generators" option.

[@henryha5073]

Great information my friend . Thanks

[@wb2ire]

Mike: Will the magnetic fill plug and the extended run tank fit the sportsman. Great video. Thanks; Frank

[@Rvdaydream]

They may make one, but unfortunately they are not the same 😕

[@thunderbird97]

Finally second comment, looks like you found a good use for that truck

[@davidbroad4834]

Thank you for the information, good video.

[@leighhardy9926]

Just want I wanted to see. Thanks

[@onionhead5780]

Great informative video.

[@stevem7633]

I bought a hour meter but it was the vibration type because I didn't want to drill a hole in my new Honda generator. The only problem is when I'm driving down the road the meter thinks my generator is running even though it isn't. I guess I'm drilling the hole!

[@gitarmac]

Some people just use double tape or velcro to stick the meters on.

[@craigrichardson4641]

Instead of screwing holes you could of used some double side tape.just an idea.

[@Rvdaydream]

We have 3M double-sided trim adhesive that may have done the job but the plastic being that it was not smooth and actually porous combined with the heat from the generator housing and more importantly the external heat coming from any sun that may hit it we just decided to put screws in.

[@craigrichardson4641]

@@Rvdaydream oh i didn't think that the tape would come lose.not bad silly on me.

[@yos6473]

I have dealt with engines and oil for over thirty years and just know when my oil needs changed and have had no issues. Is there a reason I'm missing that I need to waste money on a meter? Besides just knowing how long the engine has run which is not completely accurate.

[@Rvdaydream]

I am positive your not changing your oil at the correct interval by guessing.. The meter reads hours of run time.... The generator Mfgs recommend oil is changed based on run time or month/year interval whichever comes first... I am a OPE Certified 2 and 4 stroke mechanic and at no point did any of the schools that I attended for small engine repair recommend that you just guess when it's time to change oil. You can do it however you want but don't suggest to others that they should just guess when it's time to change their oil.

[@MC-hs4mf]

How often its run may come into play. If it's a standby generator used 2 weeks per year and an occasional every two month start it may be easier to calculate eco than one that is run often, most maintained is probably hourly based spark plug, air filter.

[@yos6473]

@@Rvdaydream I didn't suggest anything to anyone was simply just asking a question. Thanks C.M For the better Response!

[@conceptsken1]

WELL DONE!

[@CaptainAnytime]

Finally first comment

[@MC-hs4mf]

(Joke) I have a diesel generator where is the spark plug??