Wiring Help?

[mossman381]

Today I tried to install an hour meter in my 97 max 2. I found that the only switched power is the lights. I tried to go to the alternator but it had power when the switch was off. I wanted the hour meter to run with or without the lights. Do the new max's have a different switch I can use. I wired it into the lights for now. Anybody have any ideas besides adding another switch for the lights? Thanks

[Mike]

You are connected to the wrong side of the lights. The other side of the light switch has power all the time. That is the side that you need to connect to. It should come directly off the switch?

[mossman381]

I don't want the hour meter running all the time just when the switch is on. Right now the hour meter will run with the lights on only. I want it to run when the switch is turned on with or without the lights. I have checked every wire coming out of the switch and none of them are only on when the switch is on except the starter wire. And it is only on to engage the starter.

[jerrynuss]

How many positions does your switch have? The max normally has off, lights, run, start. I suppose you checked for power with the key switched on. You should have the hour meter hooked up to the wire that is hot in the run position, unless you have a separate power to you lights and a 2 position switch. The hour meter will be on when ever the switch is in the run or lights position. This will give switch time but not exact on run time.

If you are trying to set up the hour meter for when the motor is actually running most people use an hour meter that attaches to the engine and also works as a tach.

[Mike]

You're right, I was thinking of a car. I forgot the max lights are operated based upon the position of the switch.

Does you Max run without the lights on? If so then you have a wire somewhere that will have power on it all the time.

[budresiew]

A '97 max II should have the "newer" style key switch. How many prongs are on the back of the switch? If it has 7 (6 in a triangle shaped bank and one off to the side) it is a newer style. This style you just need to tap into the middle prong on the bottom row (3 prongs) of that "triangle" bank for your positive. Ground would be that little prong off to the side on the back of the keyswitch. If your keyswitch has only 5 prongs on the back side, then it is an older style and your vehicle is not a 1997 (since they changed it around '95 I think). Anyway, if you have the older style, your engine will be equipped (or will need to be) with an oil pressure switch. This creates a ground when the engine has oil pressure. Use that for your ground and the white on the ammeter for your positive. Hope this helps. I called RI awhile back and they faxed me all of the Max II Briggs wiring diagrams....If you give them your S/N, they will get the right diagram to you. I was at work and couldn't remember my S/N so they sent me a couple different ones. Hope this helps.

[mossman381]

I have a 97 and it does have the triangle style back. I am hooked into the middle prong, but that is only on with the lights. I like the oil pressure switch idea and I am going to look into that. Has anybody done this?

[GREASEMONKEY]

That's how lots of small equipment is ran. Pressure washers, go carts, even seen saw's with hr meters on them!

[blazenron]

I just found out today that some one disconected the wires on my hour meter can I just run the two black wires to the back side of the volt meter