Confused on Tach's for 86 85HP Force Outboard

[dorelse]

My boat doesn't have a tach, and one of the first things I want to do on it this spring is put one in, along with the tell tale.

In doing my research, it appears as though I need a 20 pole tach for my outboard. I wanted to get a Teleflex brand, Arctic series probably. However, only the Red Int'l actually has a specific model for 20 pole Force outboards. The rest are labeled 'Universal' for all outboards...but they don't list the settings on the back of the tach, so I'm not sure if they'll work for my outboard.

Obviously, I'd like all the gauges to match so I'd like to get them all at once. Are the Red Int'l series my only choice for gauges on my Force? Again, its a 1986 85HP Force. Thanks!

 

[chitownborn]

Re: Confused on Tach's for 86 85HP Force Outboard

Yep the only one teleflex makes for force is the int'l. I bought the sportsman series, then come to find out the tach would'nt work, so i called teleflex to see if they could make one up special for the sportsman series, well I now own a red int'l it works great not a problem in the four yrs i've owned it. Theres some other tachs out there one I believe is called a mini, but have know idea where to find one. good luck Don

 

[john from md]

Re: Confused on Tach's for 86 85HP Force Outboard

You might try Faria. They made the instruments for the Bayliner/Force packages. They still make instruments although I don't know if they have 20 pole tacs.

Regards,

John

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Confused on Tach's for 86 85HP Force Outboard

Faria don't make a 20 pole anymore although there may be old stock lying around - maybe.

 

[john from md]

Re: Confused on Tach's for 86 85HP Force Outboard

You would think that some wiz kid would come up with a way to use new tacs on old boats. <G>

John

 

[dorelse]

Re: Confused on Tach's for 86 85HP Force Outboard

Well, is it possible? My bro's and electrical engineer and has built custom circuit boards to solve other issues...but since I know nothing about what a '20 pole' tach means, I couldn't even explain the issue...let alone provide what would need to be accomplished.

I'm assuming it would have to be able to read the 20 Pole tach output, and know what signal would provide a modern tach the correct reading...honestly, it seems simple enough, but I'm sure a solution is much much more difficult.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Confused on Tach's for 86 85HP Force Outboard

Well, I wouldn't guarantee that it would work, but if you have a standard tach lying around and want to experiment: Set the switch in the back to 1 pulse per revolution and take a signal from the positive wire to #1 coil. use a dropping resistor in series to reduce the voltage to the tach signal terminal from about 260 volts to 12-16 volts. Let some of the electical guys out there tell you what size resister to buy at your local Radio Shack.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Confused on Tach's for 86 85HP Force Outboard

Well, if your assumption is correct...and it seems like a solid one to me, I'll tackle this one in the spring.

In the meantime, I have found a 20 Pole gauge that'll work for now. Thanks!