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Your favorite, most dependable tachometer

#1

PTmowerMech

PTmowerMech

I really need one. The shop I used to work at had a hand held wireless Echo tachometer that you just put close to the plug wire and it gave a reading. I'm looking to buy one of those. Amazon has a Rotary brand, like the Echo for like $60. But I thought I'd see what you guys are using before I bought anything.

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#2

PTmowerMech

PTmowerMech

logert gogert said:
oh yeah speaking of RPM ( i know this isn't the thread but i just need to say this ) my rear engined mower, is revving a 1/4 throttle what it SHOULD rev at full throttle,i think something may be wrong with my governor, i figured this out when i went to cut grass and i turned the engine on, then i went to cut the grass, i slowly moved it up and i went to half throttle and it was revving REALLY high, so i just moved the throttle to what it should be if it was working properly, but i still think it was reviving to high because it drank a little less than a gallon of gas after cutting for 45 min, and the exaughst was orange, what do y'all think is happening?? ( i know I'm not supposed to post here but if you guys want me to i can just make another thread )
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LOL.. You know this should have it's own thread, but you put it here anyways.


#3

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

I have a few different wireless ones. Here is my favorite.

Hand Held TT-20K Small Engine Tachometer

Wireless Tachometer perfect for small equipment. The TT20K Tach has proven to be a reliable tach but we include a one year Warranty for your confidence that you are purchasing a quality product.
www.amickssuperstore.com
Best i have found for chainsaws. Will do 2 and 4 cycle engines
I have this one too.
www.ebay.com

Electronic Specialties ESI328 for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Electronic Specialties ESI328 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
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It is OK but the first one is way better


#4

R

Rivets

Way to screw up a thread Logan, stick to the very little you know. We use the Echo one you show in your post. I personally use a VibraTach which I learned how to use 50 years ago. It does have a learning curve to it, but once you understand how it works, can be used for many other things. 2 & 4 cycle, hertz, electric motors, etc.


#5

logert gogert

logert gogert

Rivets said:
Way to screw up a thread Logan,
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well problem solved, deleted the posts, sorry for the trouble.

Rivets said:
stick to the very little you know.
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ouch......


#6

PTmowerMech

PTmowerMech

Rivets said:
Way to screw up a thread Logan, stick to the very little you know. We use the Echo one you show in your post. I personally use a VibraTach which I learned how to use 50 years ago. It does have a learning curve to it, but once you understand how it works, can be used for many other things. 2 & 4 cycle, hertz, electric motors, etc.
Click to expand...

The tach I pictured, was easy peasy. The shop owner trusted it. It never failed him. Worst case scenario, he's have to pull it away from the engine for a seconds and then put it back close to the plug.
I suppose it's not rocket science. At least not until you get into the things you're talking about with electric motors.


#7

R

Rivets

I know that it is easy to use, have one in the shop. You asked for most favorable and dependable tach. The one I use is my favorite and because it needs no power source, is one that has never failed me. Yours is easiest to use.


#8

B

bertsmobile1

When I bought the business it came with one of these wireless tachos don't know where he got it from.
Since then I have bought a tiny tach because it is tiny & fits in the service tool box .
The big one is easier to use because it is not as sensitive as the tiny tach so does not go OL if you get it too close and of course a moving needle is easier to adjust with than numbers flashing faster than you can read them .
So it is tiny for checking and big for adjusting .
Been wanting to get a mechanical one just to check the accuracy but all of my suppliers have dropped them from their catalogues.


#9

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

Rivets said:
Way to screw up a thread Logan, stick to the very little you know.
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Sound of gunshot in the distance........
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THUD.
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.mic drop.


#10

logert gogert

logert gogert

Hammermechanicman said:
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Sound of gunshot in the distance........
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THUD.
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.mic drop.
[/QUOTE

thanks........i appreciate it..................heh......NOT
:mad::mad::mad:
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#11

logert gogert

logert gogert

Hammermechanicman said:
.
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Sound of gunshot in the distance........
.
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THUD.
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.mic drop.
Click to expand...
thanks.......i appreciate it.....heh...NOT
:mad::mad::mad::mad:


#12

PTmowerMech

PTmowerMech

I just got the Archer Tach A523051. I like it.
1587922586730.png


#13

H

HarmonySeeker

bertsmobile1 said:
When I bought the business it came with one of these wireless tachos don't know where he got it from.
Since then I have bought a tiny tach because it is tiny & fits in the service tool box .
The big one is easier to use because it is not as sensitive as the tiny tach so does not go OL if you get it too close and of course a moving needle is easier to adjust with than numbers flashing faster than you can read them .
So it is tiny for checking and big for adjusting .
Been wanting to get a mechanical one just to check the accuracy but all of my suppliers have dropped them from their catalogues.
Click to expand...
If you've no use for that ol' wireless tacho that came with your business, what would you like for it?
I'm old school and that unit looks similar to the first one I got as a teen, but it was for 6-8 cylinders, of course.
It would fit in perfect in my garage's motif.
Thanks!


#14

H

HarmonySeeker

PTmowerMech said:
I just got the Archer Tach A523051. I like it.
View attachment 51830
Click to expand...
I was just looking at that and the myriad of choices available, right down to the $14.00 ones. It kept coming down to the same question for me: How can one tell if it is accurate, other than outlandishly high or low or no readings?
I just found this one on Amazon! 4.5 star rating and 92 reviews! No battery needed, either! I'm sold!

Amazon.com: Briggs & Stratton 19200 Tachometer,Black : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: Briggs & Stratton 19200 Tachometer,Black : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com


#15

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

The old treysit sirometer. Going old school.


#16

H

HarmonySeeker

Rivets said:
I know that it is easy to use, have one in the shop. You asked for most favorable and dependable tach. The one I use is my favorite and because it needs no power source, is one that has never failed me. Yours is easiest to use.
Click to expand...
After reviewing the reviews and options, I have to agree with you. I'm ordering a B&S version from Amazon. Now THAT is an old school tachometer!


#17

R

Rivets

Just to give you a warning, the learning curve on this type is not short. Most of my students needed at least 2 dozen uses to get to where I would give them an A on the test. Best to learn on a smooth running engine, unit running rough will drive you to the bar.


#18

B

bertsmobile1

HarmonySeeker said:
If you've no use for that ol' wireless tacho that came with your business, what would you like for it?
I'm old school and that unit looks similar to the first one I got as a teen, but it was for 6-8 cylinders, of course.
It would fit in perfect in my garage's motif.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

That would be tempting fate a bit too far.
Right now it is the back up I never use , till of course I get rid of it when it will be neded.


#19

H

HarmonySeeker

Rivets said:
Just to give you a warning, the learning curve on this type is not short. Most of my students needed at least 2 dozen uses to get to where I would give them an A on the test. Best to learn on a smooth running engine, unit running rough will drive you to the bar.
Click to expand...
Having had some formal training in vibration analysis, when I was watching that wire jiggle it looked familiar for some reason. To test a theory, does the device work best when laid with the wire in line with the crankshaft or perpendicular to the direction of the crankshaft? Amazing as it seems, with the right equipment, you can find bad bearings, excessive end-play just by watching jiggly lines on a display. So I'm not at all surprised there is a piece of equipment such as this.


#20

R

Rivets

I have not seen any difference in how you put the tach on the engine. Biggest problem I have found is the flatter the area the better, you want it as smooth as possible to get the best reading.


#21

H

HarmonySeeker

Rivets said:
I have not seen any difference in how you put the tach on the engine. Biggest problem I have found is the flatter the area the better, you want it as smooth as possible to get the best reading.
Click to expand...
That makes sense. You always have to hook the vibe unit to a smooth surface, as well.


#22

steve0701

steve0701

The Tecumseh Vibratach. No electrical connections. Hold it against the flywheel cover and twist the dial until the shakey wire becomes steady.

temp.jpg


#23

C

Captn Cliffy

bertsmobile1 said:
When I bought the business it came with one of these wireless tachos don't know where he got it from.
Since then I have bought a tiny tach because it is tiny & fits in the service tool box .
The big one is easier to use because it is not as sensitive as the tiny tach so does not go OL if you get it too close and of course a moving needle is easier to adjust with than numbers flashing faster than you can read them .
So it is tiny for checking and big for adjusting .
Been wanting to get a mechanical one just to check the accuracy but all of my suppliers have dropped them from their catalogues.
Click to expand...
I have the wireless tach you have a picture of - it's a Dixon model 1082. A local wholesaler was a PrimeLine distributor, so I bought mine from PrimeLine. It uses a 9V battery. I believe it to be accurate. For me, the analog needle is easier to read for rpm's than a digital display that constantly changes. I also have the Vibra Tach that Rivets uses. As he says, it takes practice to learn how to use it. He mentions other uses for it - Briggs service manuals use it to determine starter speed when bench testing a starter motor.


#24

H

HarmonySeeker

I am now using an app called 'Engine RPM' by RealTime Specialties. It works great with repeatable results.
I'll pick up a vibra tach if I see one cheap. It still looks interesting


#25

Its Me

Its Me

PTmowerMech I am with you on the VibraTach , bought two of them exactly 50 years ago, they work great nice to have for the diesel engines, Joe


#26

PTmowerMech

PTmowerMech

50 years ago? Wow, I didn't know they had been around that long.


#27

W

WSD

Do you order different versions for different number of cylinders, as a previous poster intimated?


#28

R

Rivets

The VibraTach can be used with any number of cylinders.


#29

Its Me

Its Me

PTmowerMec, the first one I bought was sold my Briggs & Stratton and don't remember where I bought the second one which was right behind the other one, had to have two, I am sure you are possible the same a backup, it was plastic think it might break so two is better, I was wrong, still got both and even the timing tool for the old Tecumseh engines.​



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