tachometer for pull start

[rastoga]

I have a 1989 40 hp manual start yamaha. How do I connect a tachometer to it? It did have a tach connected at one point. The dealer installed a harness consisting of 1 green and 1 black wire which connect to something under the flywheel (lighting coil perhaps???). My question is what kind of tach I need to use. All the tachs I can find seem to require an alternator ; is there some way to use one of these? What kind of tach do I need and how do I connect it?

 

[norman158]

Re: tachometer for pull start

get a tiny tach and put that on it

 

[rastoga]

Re: tachometer for pull start

Thanks for the idea, but isn't there some way to put a conventional tach on it?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: tachometer for pull start

There is always a way!!!!!<br />-never worked on your engine but.....if it has a lighting coil(less than 40VAC at 2500rpm), a cheap generic rectifier can be installed.($5.oo) If you're not using a battery, you'll also need a regulator. If you're an electronic nut, you can build one for around $15.00. This will give you a 12vdc@1amp regulated source to run alt. tach. You'll probably have to add a resistor in the signal line as well.<br /> These guys should have a tach.<br />Click me <br />If you don't have an electrical background..................Tiny Tach!!

 

[rastoga]

Re: tachometer for pull start

Doesn't someone make a tach that works off the lighting coil, magneto ignition, or CDI ignition? I think this outboard used to have one made by VDO. Someone is trying to sell me a yamaha tach (p/n is 6y5-83540-14). They claim the instructions say it operates with pulses from the lighting coil and will work on all yamaha outboard motors by varying the switch on the back for the number of poles used off of the magneto.4pole,6pole and 12pole. Does this sound right?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: tachometer for pull start

sure does............but.......does it require 12VDC to turn that baby on?

 

[suzukidave]

Re: tachometer for pull start

I agree with norman 158 about the tiny tach unless you want dc 12 volt for some other reason and can afford to burn out a tach or two while you figure it out. I've had the same issue myself and that's the solution that worked. See my post at "1974 Mercury 50hp Tachometer" from a few days ago if you want to know some of the pros and cons of going the rectifier route.

 

[suzukidave]

Re: tachometer for pull start

Another thought, if there's been a tach on the motor before then maybe you already have a rectifier installed or I don't see what powered it? Even though my manual start motor doesn't come with a rectifier, the plastic molding for the ignition unit was the same as for an electric start and had a place for the rectifier to fit. Once I installed it looks like its always been there and is supposed to be.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: tachometer for pull start

I'm hot on the trail of a conventional alternator tach that requires no external power.(no batteries either) Might be just what you need.....More later......

 

[petryshyn]

Re: tachometer for pull start

I'm told that Stewart-Warner made an alt. tach that ran off the a/c only. They have a poor website, so I'd recommend visiting a dealer.......tiny tach......tiny tach.....tiny tach.......tiny tach......oh!! sorry...did I leave that on?!!!LOL