Hour meters are devices that measure and record the amount of time that a machine or engine is in operation. They are commonly used on construction equipment, agricultural machinery, generators, and other types of engines. Hour meters can be either mechanical or electronic.
Mechanical hour meters work by using a small magnet attached to the spinning flywheel or pulley of an engine. As the engine runs, the magnet spins along with it and activates a switch inside the hour meter which records the total number of hours of operation.
Electronic hour meters work similarly, but instead of using a magnet to activate a switch, they use sensors that detect vibration or changes in electrical current caused by the running engine. The information from these sensors is then converted into data that is stored in memory chips within the hour meter.
Both types of hour meters are designed to be rugged and durable so that they can withstand exposure to the elements and heavy vibrations. They typically have easy-to-read displays that show the total number of hours an engine has been run for servicing or maintenance purposes.