In the fuse box under the hood ( by the air filter box ) there is a "fuel injector relay". I have to assume this would be either on or off and would be off when the engine is off, but I will test it tomorrow. Ideas? Pros or Cons about using this for a power tap for the engine on timer? The timer takes ~ 2 mA ( that's less power than a heart pacemaker ) and recommended voltage is 5v to 27v. ( But I think it is spike protected to 60v )

 

I believe the owner's manual says 10,000 miles OR 200 hours.

Did you think of hooking it to the oil pressure sender? Or maybe get a Hobbs type meter that will only count time when there is power AND oil pressure. Who really cares how long the key is on anyway?

 

The 200 hours sounded familiar, I looked in the standard owner's manual, and you are spot on correct.
There it was all along. 200 hours for an OCI. Thanks!

I CARE about how many hours the CAR is on!!!!!!!!

This will be a great statistic, one that all dedicated hybrid enthusiasts will really enjoy. I will record "Percent Engine On Time".

We all know that the engine is on 100% of the time over 40 miles per hour.
How about under 40 MPH???

Wouldn't it be nice to know that in town, your engine is only burning gas 62.5% ( or whatever ) of the time? Well, I'm going to find out soon!

Another good question is, how many miles per week/month/year do you get from EV? But I'm still looking for a way to record that.
-John

 

Fuel Injector Relay is always "hot" when the key is in "run", even if the engine is not running.
Oil Pressure Switch is a no go. It is only a signal wire, and not a power wire. Like less than 1 volt.
Correction: Oil Pressure Switch Works, see post #27
Fuel Pump Feed wire = always hot with key on
Fuel Pump Return wire = always hot with key on
Fuel Pump relay wire = will not allow the engine to start when attached to a 12v test lamp ( ie high ohm ground )

Other ideas for an "engine on" 12v tap?

 

gpsman1,

you should be able to use the oil pressure sender which is on the trans side of the oil filter adapter ( the thing you screw the oil filter housing into). Should be a Dark Green with white trace. This signal is grounded with no oil pressure. You could try using the fact that oil pressure = high voltage though this might not be enough to run the meter. You could use a relay to invert the ground signal to the hour meter or you could use the meter in combination with the key on and calculate engine time off.

 

With the engine on, and oil pressure at a maximum the signal wire is only ~ 1v or less. I'm looking for something else, since this wire looks difficult to use.
I need something in the 5v to 27v DC range, but ~ 2 mA will do.
Thanks.

 

You might need to get a brass "T" and install another oil pressure switch. OPS usually ground when there is no pressure and go open when there is pressure. They do make 2 prong and 3 prong pressure switchs that can pass a current when the oil pressure is high (above 3 lbs) A simple circuit using a 1 prong and a 5 prong bosch style relay can be designed so the meter runs when the OPS is ungrounded. Or a 2/3 prong with out the relay. I dont see any other source that would not be controlled by the PCM or on in the run mode even with the ICE off.

 

Good idea on that. I like the idea of the "T" so I can make all the custom circuits I want without harming the original.

Brilliant.
I knew I would find helpful people here!
Thanks!
I've also seen "vibration" switches, that just stick onto the engine with velcro, tape, or glue, but fear that normal road vibrations would trigger it on, when the car was moving in EV mode, which is exactly what I do not want.
-John

 

When you get a chance I need to know the thread size of the OPS so I can find the right add on switch. It should be 1/8 pipe or 1/4 pipe. Ive been so busy I wont have time to remove mine and look. I still havent experimented with the add on brake switch, though I have a micro switch that will work just have to hack into the 2 brake switchs.

 

I have a pressure switch that can be used for negative or positive pressure. It is a SPST switch that closes when the inlet pressure is different from atmospheric pressure. I used it as a "puff" switch for an environment control system I designed for a disabled friend. It should work as an "ICE on" switch if connected to the vac. system of the ICE. I'll see if I can make it work and let you know.