how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

[joshcw25]

???

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

Count real fast .

Do a search for "tiny tach". I've never used one but have heard that they work well.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

Easiest way would probably be a Tiny Tach:

http://www.tinytach.com/tinytach/index.php

"How do you install the Tiny-Tach? The gas tachs have a coax cable extending from the unit and ending with a red antenna wire and a white ground wire. Simple installation requires that the antenna wire be wrapped around the spark plug wire to pick up the signal. No cutting or soldering required. Easy to install and easy to remove."

Happy boating!

Edit: Sorry metric! I was searching for the Tiny Tach site while you were giving him the best answer!

 

[joshcw25]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

Thanks

 

[roscoe]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

Two negatives to the tiny tach, 1 - relatively short wires, 2- non replaceable battery, but it lasts about 5+ years.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

I've never met a non-replaceable battery I haven't been able to replace.

You just gotta get that screw driver wedged in there a little more, and whack it with a hammer.

 

[stackz]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

even better. I love youtube people giving how-to's in video format.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMr7UTcmatY

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

even better. I love youtube people giving how-to's in video format.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMr7UTcmatY

Nice find!

Clearly shows how it only takes a few minutes to use one.

One additional feature of the Tiny Tach is that it will keep track of your engine hours, and it only records the actual running time...unlike the engine hour meters that are wired to your helm ignition switch.

Happy boating!

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

The guy on that video has not read the instructions well, you must tight wrap 4-5 turns from where red cable exits close to any plug cap as seen, them must cut excesive wire ending. Can wrap some 3M tape turns on top of coiled red wire so as to prevent moving sideways when engines vibrates while working.

Happy Boating

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

The guy on that video has not read the instructions well, you must tight wrap 4-5 turns from where red cable exits close to any plug cap as seen, them must cut excesive wire ending. Can wrap some 3M tape turns on top of coiled red wire so as not to move sideways when engines vibrates while working.

Happy Boating

Clean engine!

Does your Tiny Tach keep the engine hours? I have also heard that you can reset the hours if you want to use it for maintenance scheduling....

Happy boating!

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

Yeap very clean engine You have resettable, unresettable TT models to choose, if you have available space at front engine could place a rpm/hour tach to see you rpm while boating and preventive maintenance programmer. Hardline tachs are excellent alternatives, don't use ground cable.

Happy Boating

 

[stackz]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

how long are the cables on these as supplied? like say you want to install it at helm on your boat but cable isnt long enough. can you splice into the harness part (past the red/ground and isolator area) to length the cable for your needs? or is it radio interferance/shielded inside sheath) all the way up to the device?

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: how do i find out how many rpm's im turning in a small outboard?

how long are the cables on these as supplied? like say you want to install it at helm on your boat but cable isnt long enough. can you splice into the harness part (past the red/ground and isolator area) to length the cable for your needs? or is it radio interferance/shielded inside sheath) all the way up to the device?

From the site:

"Standard cable length is 6 feet. Additional length can be added at the factory for $10. If not standard, please specify total length needed in the "comments" section at the end of the order page."

However...they may be suggesting that the owner can add some cable:

"Can the wire length be changed? Adjustments to wire length must be made in the black coax cable. Unless you are experienced working with coax, we recommend that you send it back to Design Technology for adjustment. You can request that the Tiny-Tach be custom built with any length coax when you place your order."Happy boating!