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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Help! How do I hook up a Tach to engine with a Mag

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Nelson2

10-10-2005 04:08:04




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Good Morning,
I would like to hook up a tachometer to a Continental 4 cylinder engine that has a magneto. I read somewhere that I could insert a paper clip (unfolded) into any one of the plug wire boots. Then, clip one lead of tachometer to paper clip and the other lead to ground. Before attempting to do this, I thought I'd run it by the group to see if it's feasable. Seems like I would be sending voltage to groung and engine would miss on that cylinder? Thanks for any advice.

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John in Ct

10-10-2005 15:59:58




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 Re: Help! How do I hook up a Tach to engine with a in reply to Nelson2, 10-10-2005 04:08:04  
I had the same problem with my Farmall H with a mag and havecome up with a very easy solution. I hooked the spark pickup of my Snap-On digital timing light to #1 cylinder wire and hooked the 2 power leads of my timing light (+ and-) to my battery jumper pack. Within 5 minutes I had digital rpms of my Farmall H with a Mag.



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GeorgeH

10-10-2005 15:20:24




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 Re: Help! How do I hook up a Tach to engine with a in reply to Nelson2, 10-10-2005 04:08:04  
I have a old Sears engine Analyzer that has a RPM function (wire has clamp for over plug wire). I suspect one of them would work if you could find one. They aren't much good for anything anymore - no dwell checking and such.



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RAB

10-10-2005 13:16:24




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 Re: Help! How do I hook up a Tach to engine with a in reply to Nelson2, 10-10-2005 04:08:04  
Is or is not feasible.
Depends on the signal the tacho requires and the impedance of the pick-up circuit in it, so most likely it won"t work. You may find a few turns of wire (a coil) around a plug lead is enough to pick up a pulse, but may need a screened wire for transmission.
Most distributor systems used to use a signal taken from the contact breaker circuit (relatively low tension and high current compared to a plug lead voltage and current).
That said, there is always a way, if there is a will to do it.
Regards, RAB

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Dell (WA)

10-10-2005 11:51:54




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 Re: Help! How do I hook up a Tach to engine with a in reply to Nelson2, 10-10-2005 04:08:04  
Nelson..... ..dooer the "eazy-way". Buy a 1-sizefittzall LCD transisterized Tach that double-back tapes to enny convenient flatspott on yer dash. The watch battery operated LCD display tack is "inductively-coupled" by wrappin' an insulated wire around enny sparkie wire. Then switch select how many sparkies yer engine runs on. Simple, eh?

Available from many small engine/lawnmower repair places and outfitts like JC Whitney. about $25 (cheap)..... ....Dell

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Revredneck

10-10-2005 06:02:12




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 Re: Help! How do I hook up a Tach to engine with a in reply to Nelson2, 10-10-2005 04:08:04  
Nelson,
If you try to hook up your tach in the way you describe, you will burn it up. Your best bet is to use some kind of inductive setup. Perhaps a timing light with tach display, or other piece of tune up equipment that just clips around a plug wire (usually #1). The only thing you will need is a 12 volt power source for the timing light. I have done this several times. There may a tach suitable for magnetos out there, but I don't have one and don't know about one. Good Luck and God Bless, Tommy

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Dick L

10-10-2005 14:20:58




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 Re: Help! How do I hook up a Tach to engine with a in reply to Revredneck, 10-10-2005 06:02:12  
I have not tried it as of yet but I have been told by the go cart racers that the type of tac"s they use will work. They run two cycle magneto fired engines which if they were exactly the same tac you would have to do some math.



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