Question for electrical guys smarter than me....

[BobList]

I wanna check my rpm's on my outboard.. I got a busted tach. Too much money to replace it right now. I DO have a Fluke 78 Multi meter with tach capabilities. I DON'T have the inductive pickup option for said meter. I can get one for $80. Too much. I can also get a tiny-tach for $ 40. Too much. I can use my timing light with rpm readout at full speed on the water with the cowl off while my 14 year old steers the boat.. too stupid.

Can I wrap a lead 10 times around my plug wire, stick it in the tach jack on my meter, ground the neg. lead and read rpm?.. of course shield it, and adjust the number of wraps +/- to get a decent reading.. just wondering if it CAN. BE. DONE...?

Bob List

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Question for electrical guys smarter than me....

Can I wrap a lead 10 times around my plug wire, stick it in the tach jack on my meter, ground the neg. lead and read rpm?.. of course shield it, and adjust the number of wraps +/- to get a decent reading.. just wondering if it CAN. BE. DONE...?

That seems like a lot of s**t for a nickel! You can try marine salvage yards, swap meets, & flea markets for a marine tach. Usually can be found for around $10. Don't take this the wrong way, but if $40 it too much money for what is probably the most important dash accessory on your boat, then you are in the wrong hobby, my friend.

 

[capslock118]

Re: Question for electrical guys smarter than me....

I'm not rich enough to just go out and buy stuff for my boat too; every purchase requires careful consideration.

still there is an old saying that I must adhere to:

penny wise pound foolish.

Like fireman alluded to - if you can't spend the $40, get out of the hobby.

 

[BobList]

Re: Question for electrical guys smarter than me....

heh heh... it's not that i'm poor...or clueless... but Wife and I are going on a cruise in 6 weeks.. she needs spending money for said cruise.. now, did you ever try to take a steak from a hungry dog? .Try to get 40 bucks outta the checking acct, when wifey is saving for a cruise. You're all better men than me.. :^)

I have all intentions of picking up a tiny tach when I get to the auto parts store.. I was just wondering if a homemade pickup would work, being I have the tool..

it's more of a " Hey, I wonder if this would work? " type of thing.

Bob

 

[BobList]

Re: Question for electrical guys smarter than me....

Yes, it works. I just wrapped the red lead 10 times around the #1 plug wire, set the Fluke meter to rpm... it works! Now, it fluctated a bit, but the wraps were coming loose, I didn't tape them, or anything like that. There is a neat site (googled it) that shows how to make a homemade rpm pickup, if ya wanna get even more precise....

Just an experiment.

Oh, and FIREMAN431.. I disagree. The DRAIN PLUG is THE most important thing on the boat!! Not ALL boats even come with a tach... I'd rather forget to install my tach instead of the drain plug..... :^)

Bob List

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Question for electrical guys smarter than me....

Oh, and FIREMAN431.. I disagree. The DRAIN PLUG is THE most important thing on the boat!! Not ALL boats even come with a tach... I'd rather forget to install my tach instead of the drain plug..... :^)

Bob List

I agree...but if you re-read my post, I said the most important "dash accessory" (aside from the key).

However, I'm not sure what's more important...the drain plug or the bilge pump...kinda like putting a humidifier and a dehumidifier in the same room and watching them fight it out...

 

[BobList]

Re: Question for electrical guys smarter than me....

oh, I saw it........... I'm just trying to make joke.. :^), anyway, my experiment worked... but a tiny tach is next, if I can find one at a brick and mortar store...or are they all internet sales only?

also, I can take it in between the small boat, and the bigger one.. portable tach.......

Bob

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Question for electrical guys smarter than me....

Glad to know it works. My boat did not come with a tach, and I do not have room in the dash for a tach, since the olny spot that I could put one is filled with a trim gauge. I know, the tach is more important, but now I know how to use my meter and some wire that I already have.

TerryMSU