How do you adjust the idle speed on a handheld gas leaf blower ?

[MowerMike]

I have two handheld blowers, Echo PB-250LN and Hitachi RB24EAP, that I want to adjust the idle rpm to manufacturer specs. I'd like to buy a suitable tachometer, and wondered what type and brand you would recommend. Can I use a non-contact laser type and get the reading off the fan or do I need to use a wired type between the spark plug and plug wire ?

 

[Rivets]

For these type of units I use a Fast-Tach like the first one on this web site. A bit pricey, but if you search around you may find it cheaper. Works on all type of small engines.

Design Technology, Inc., Home of the Tiny-Tach - More Tachometers

 

[MowerMike]

For these type of units I use a Fast-Tach like the first one on this web site. A bit pricey, but if you search around you may find it cheaper. Works on all type of small engines.

Design Technology, Inc., Home of the Tiny-Tach - More Tachometers

Thanks. Just ordered one from that website. Checked around, but couldn't find it cheaper elsewhere or locally. I see it works on a magnetic field rather than optical principle, so there is no need to read off the fan or other rotating part. Perfect ! :thumbsup:

 

[MowerMike]

Update on 2/11/2013 - Just received the Fast-Tach today from Design Technology, Inc. and tried it out on my Hitachi and Echo blowers to adjust the idle speed. It's setup by default from the factory for a single cylinder two-cycle engine and you simply point it at the spark plug to get the reading. It can be easily setup for 4-cycle and multi-cylinder engines. It also records the maximum RPM, which can be reset. The total cost with UPS shipping was $96.20.

 

[HarryHarley]

Thanks for the update...... did you use it?? How about a video?

 

[MowerMike]

Thanks for the update...... did you use it?? How about a video?

Yes, I used it. I'm sorry, but I'm not equipped to make a video.

 

[Rivets]

So easy to use you don't need a video. Just start the unit, point the tach at the spark plug boot and read the display. No one makes a simpler unit. The only reason I don't use it all the time is as an old fart I can't give up my VibraTach. Tough to break the habit.

 

[MowerMike]

So easy to use you don't need a video. Just start the unit, point the tach at the spark plug boot and read the display. No one makes a simpler unit. The only reason I don't use it all the time is as an old fart I can't give up my VibraTach. Tough to break the habit.

Did you notice the mistake they made on the label on the back of the unit ? They've got 720 = Two sparks per revolution and 180 = One spark every two revolutions, which is backwards. They do have it correct on the green printed instruction sheet, however.

 

[Rivets]

Can't read anything on the back, but mine is 10 plus years old. Everyone in the shop uses it regularly, but me.

 

[MowerMike]

Not a video, but here's a photo.