Can I add a tach or speedometer?

[meant2be]

I bought a 17' 1993 Bayliner Classic. It has a 1993 Force 70 OB. There is no instrumentation at all on the boat. It just has the basic toggle switches (nav. light, acc. lights, pump). Can I install a tach or speedometer without great difficulty? I am pretty handy (built an addition on my house, wiring and all). I know I am stretching it, but any chances of a trim/tilt motor? My arms are tired of pulling the motor up.

 

[Trent]

Re: Can I add a tach or speedometer?

You can install a tach if you like. Also their are aftermarket trim systems out there. Teleflex <br /><br /> Aftermarket trim

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Can I add a tach or speedometer?

yes to both.... speedo's are not very accurate,<br />I reccomend a GPS instead. for a tach, I like<br />"Tiny-Tach" as an aftermarket. cheap/easy to<br />install/ keeps engine hours also. about $35 bucks.<br />any aftermarket speedo will work as it runs<br />independent of the motor off air pressure.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[scotiany]

Re: Can I add a tach or speedometer?

hey mellowyellow, I mailed Tiny Tach company about getting one for my eng.(Chrysler55 magneto ignition). They replied to use the 1CRXL attached to both spark plug wires. Does this make any sense. The wires are part of the coil and not removable.

 

[Beaux]

Re: Can I add a tach or speedometer?

meant2be-<br />There is a need to have a tachometer, so i would agree with you that it is a good idea. AS far as the speedo... They are not accurate at low speeds and really don't provide any benefit besides "looks" on the console. If you need speed for skiing/rough charting,etc then in my opinion you need a Gps. As far as connecting the tach up, that depends on your specific outboard, but I am sure there are some force guys here that could help you get through it. I wouldn't think it would be to hard for you(I put one on a 96 johnson a month ago)....Good Luck

 

[meant2be]

Re: Can I add a tach or speedometer?

Thanks for the info.<br /><br />Think I will forego the tilt for right now. I can handle pulling it out manually after seeing the cost of a tilt rig and the hassle of installation. <br /><br />I purchased my boat, motor and trailor for 5 times that amount.

 

[SCO]

Re: Can I add a tach or speedometer?

There should be a tach(pulse) wire that runs to the control box. You can get an electrical schematic for your outboard and check this out. It may be wired to a plug on the outside of the control box that you can plug into. If so, then route the wire to the dash where you will have your new aftermarket tach. This wired plug probably includes a switched +12v wire which turns power on and off to the tach with the key switch. You can tie the tach gnd wire to the gnd bus behind the dash or the gnd of another instrument. As a nonelectrician, I always make sure the wires I run will not chafe to expose the wire, that I err toward oversize on the gauge( smaller gauge numbers), and provide fuses.

 

[Jim@KSC]

Re: Can I add a tach or speedometer?

meant2be and scotiany -<br /><br />Tinytach appears to be a really good product; I have one, but haven't installed it. I did check it out before I started pulling carbs, cover plates, etc.<br /><br />The red lead is wrapped around the plug wires and is not 'hooked' to anything. It picks up the spark inductively. Wrap three times around one wire, then three times around the other. If you don't get a reading (I did on an '84 Rude), increase the number of wraps. Don't forget to attach the white wire to a good ground.<br /><br />It's a nice, small package, and even gives you run time.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[scotiany]

Re: Can I add a tach or speedometer?

Thanks Jim@KSC, after reading your reply, I'm getting the Tiny Tach.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Can I add a tach or speedometer?

On a dual-point, magneto ignition engine, you have to wrap the TinyTach sensor wire around both plug wires. Trust me, it works great.

 

[Bob in Calif.]

Re: Can I add a tach or speedometer?

A couple of weeks ago, someone posted this site for good deals on boat stuff. I checked it out and 15 minutes later I bought a new tach and speedo for one of my boats. I saved at least 50% on the purchases and the shipping was very fast.<br />Go to www.surplusunlimited.com/storefront.htm<br />Thanks again to the fellow originally posted the site. .....Bob in Calif.....