I'm wiring a septic pump up system for a dwelling on a lake. The specs call for the installation of a "Run Time Meter" on the pump. This way, they know how much the pump is running between inspections.

Anyone have any leads as to where I can find such a meter? My supplier was clueless as to what I was looking for.

thanx

shortcircuit

<IMG SRC=\"http://www.grainger.com/images/products/3AB98.JPG\">

Click Photo.

Thankyou Iwire... ...didn't even think of Grainger.

shortcircuit

They also make that same meter in lower voltages if you want to look at the LV side of stuff. They are AC/DC and I have one on my boat (engine hours).

Many pump applications spec out cycle timers as well. They're useful in making sure that you're not short cycling your pumps. In aviation, they tend to refer to the hours meter as the "Hobbs Meter" after the most common mfg. That would make them a natural place to look for meters driven off of 12 or 24VDC.

It looks like Iwire is showing you a mechanical version. I don't think that the mechanicals can be typically reset to zero and that some rollover to zero, while others just quit when they max out.
Our subway pump timers are electronic units with non-volatile memory. They have a front reset button that we disabled via a hard to get to switch on the bottom. It is nice to have the option.

Please be advised that I have seen several places where the cycle and hours timers were connected to the high side of the contactor and the control ladder return. This is all well and good unless you happen to trip your OLs and your ladder will still let you call for that pump. The cycle count will increase and the hours will roll up but your pump won't be running. Better to use an aux contact to drive your timers.

Here is just one source for electronic timers http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T053/1629.pdf
DigiKey has a better search engine than most so you can searchon timers and then click on LED or LCD, panel or PCB, desired voltages, Et,c.
Joe


[This message has been edited by JoeTestingEngr (edited 12-07-2005).]

I have no faith in the electronic versions to outlast the mechanical versions.

A small spike will toast the electronics.

But Graingers sells both electronic and mechanical in different voltage ratings.

I'm trying to think of my luck with timers over the years. I think I have replaced one or two mechanicals that had their gears lock up for some reason. I don't specifically remember replacing a failed electronic digital unit. I just remember replacing several of those stinking red bar timers on tape transports that I always thought were pretty useless. We could probably find MTBF data for them if we were truly curious.
Joe

IBM dabbled with red bar timers for a while but we never trusted them. They didn't show up in our equipment for long.

http://www.redlion.net/

The best is to get an electro mechanical hour meter. I use quite a few at home for checking running hours of lamps, TV, computer, stereo's Ok I'm a meterbuff so I like to know what things are doing.
Get them on Ebay, new or used.

I do not like the electronic rubbish they try to sell with the so called non volatile memories. Wait in a few years with all speedo faillures in newer cars ( fun to come )

An event meter is good for a pump too for checking ON / OFF cycles,