To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

[gm280]

I just received a very nice Faria Tachometer from a vendor for my boat rebuild project. While my engine will never in its wildest days see 7000 RPMs, it is the tach for my ?76 Johnson 40 HP outboard per their website. However, I have no way to actually connect it up unless I can find the connectors for this tach. Here are pictures of the front of the tach and the back. Does anybody know where I can find such connectors to interconnect to this type tach...? All I need is the connectors and pins or sockets and I can easily wire it up then... Didn't know it didn't come with connectors...



Any ideas........... :doh:

 

[Don S]

Re: To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

Looks like you bought a gauge that reads digital output from the motors ECM. I would bet your 76 motor doesn't have that.

Time to talk to someone at Faria and get the right tach.

 

[gm280]

Re: To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

Looks like you bought a gauge that reads digital output from the motors ECM. I would bet your 76 motor doesn't have that.

Time to talk to someone at Faria and get the right tach.

Don S, I read the sight and it said that I have a 12 pulse system (being three magnets on each side of the flywheel) so I need to set the tach to the 12 position. But you very well maybe correct that this tach won't work with my engine. I really need to find out before proceeding because I have already picked out the matching volt meter and fuel gauge too. So if this isn't going to work, I'm...you know what... :noidea:

 

[Don S]

Re: To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

That is typical can-bus digital connectors to daisy chain the instruments together. You still may have to select the proper pulses, but you also need the ECM to link to the gauges.

 

[gm280]

Re: To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

That is typical can-bus digital connectors to daisy chain the instruments together. You still may have to select the proper pulses, but you also need the ECM to link to the gauges.

So unless I build a circuit to transform the pulses from sign wave to standard digital format, this gauge is useless to me...? While I could build such a circuit, I really don’t want too... What’s your idea? Ship it back and look for something else?

 

[jhebert]

Re: To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

Looks like you bought a gauge that reads digital output from the motors ECM.

Looking at the image of the back of the tachometer, I disagree with that analysis. This is not a "digital" tachometer. It looks like a conventional tachometer. Connecting to it will probably require using the appropriate connector. It is probably sold as an accessory if it was not included with the instrument itself.

The best source of information on this FARIA instrument will be from FARIA. I'd contact them for the best advice.

There are many conventional tachometers that use a multi-pin connector to connect to a wiring harness. Such a connector is not an indicator of digital technology.

 

[Don S]

Re: To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

One would think that with a new tach, that instructions would have come with it on how to set it up and what the connections were.

Like I said up in my first reply, call Faria.

 

[gm280]

Re: To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

Actually I have already contacted both the vendor I purchased this from AND Faria company as well. I received a reply from the GreatLakesSkipper company I purchased it from. They stated that it doesn’t come with any connectors and the instruction can be viewed via the Faria company’s website. They also stated that I can purchase the connectors for fitting my setup. So I am now waiting for Faria to respond. I told them exactly what I have and asked if this tachometer will work with the old Johnson 2 cycle points setup outboard. I seriously thought it would before buying it. I actually went to their website and looked over the engines their tachs worked on and it did list that my engine would have to be set at 12 pulse to operator correctly. But I didn't figure on any ECM circuits. I surely hope that it will work for my point setup because I already designed the control section for this type gauge. I’m sure I can mimic whatever type ECM output it would need, but I just really don’t want to spend more time making a conversion circuit and doing the R & D to get it all working properly. I’d rather a plug and play setup...or as close as I can get...

 

[Don S]

Re: To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

If jhebert is correct, it will not take an ECM since it's not digital.

 

[jhebert]

Re: To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

..asked if this tachometer will work with the old Johnson 2 cycle points setup outboard.

Most reasonably modern marine tachometers work with a signal derived from the permanent magnet alternator on a reasonably modern two-stroke-cycle outboard engine. If your engine is so old that its ignition system has breaker points, this tachometer may not be appropriate, based on its appearance and the label of the signals on the connector. FARIA is a major manufacturer and is often the OEM for many engine-brand instruments, so I am sure they will know.

 

[gm280]

Re: To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

Some good news from the manufacturer, Faria emailed me back and stated that yes this tachometer will indeed work from my engine and that I should use switch position two. I explained to them that I owned a 1976 40 HP 2 cycle Johnson outboard engine that uses two sets of points for the two cylinder engine and a flywheel with six magnets. Position two is for 6 pole setups. I guess that corresponds to the six magnets on the flywheel. Anyway I know it will work now via their reply and all I have to do is purchase the connector and we are in business. I want to thank everybody for their inputs and replies and do have a great day... A happy camper...I mean boater...some time down the road...I hope... :joyous:

 

[gm280]

Re: To Tach or not to Tach, that is the question

A little more update for those of you that could be interested. Those connectors are actually very well used all over the racing industry and easily to obtain. They are Deutsch DT 6 Pin Connectors and can be purchased at many many places just in case anybody was interested. They also make a four pin versions and of course the 6 and 4 socket types as well as mating connectors. So all my initial problems seem to have worked out nicely... Thanks again for the replies and info... Have a great day!