Tachometer Install

[MN-WaterGuy]

Last year, I bought a 16' 1989 Smokercraft with a 1989 Mariner 45hp. Very low hours on outboard, and after getting some bugs worked out, it runs like a top. The prop is factory aluminum. With a half tank of fuel and no passengers, I can get about 27 mph (via gps) on a calm day. I would like to eek out a little more performance, and I think a prop change may do the trick. Unfortunately, there is no tach on the boat. I've poked around the site quite a bit, and it's pretty obvious that prop changes are crapshoots unless you have a tach and can figure out WOT rpm's. I'm looking for advice on the best route to take regarding a tach. I have no specific make or model in mind. I just need something to give me accurate rpm readings. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tachometer Install

Faria or Teleflex here on iBoats. If you want a little more variety, go to Great Lakes Skipper (greatlakesskipper.com). Tachs are very generic so whatever you buy will work. Just don't buy a tach designed for a car.

 

[MN-WaterGuy]

Re: Tachometer Install

Thanks, SM. How difficult are they to install?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Tachometer Install

Thanks, SM. How difficult are they to install?

Not at all. Even I can do it. All you need is a switched positive, negative, and a pulse feed. Finding the pulse feed wire will be the hardest part. It's probably in your control box. If things are standard, it will be gray. Purple for the switched positive. (if you wanna get fancy, another positive for the backlighting )

 

[MN-WaterGuy]

Re: Tachometer Install

Do you recommend installing a permanent tac in the dash or just getting a Tiny Tach (or something similar)? Again, it will really only be used for prop setup. Thanks in advance.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Tachometer Install

I think a tach is the most useful gauge you can have. I like that it has the secondary benefit of letting me know my charging system is working (reads the stator pulses). In fact when I installed my tach is when I found out my rectifier was shot. I have no experience with tiny tach's though.

 

[MN-WaterGuy]

Re: Tachometer Install

Thanks for the help. I know I have a plug port on my control box; I will look into which wiring harness would be appropriate.