Tachometer for 3 cylinders

Posts: 18 · Newbie Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 18 Pictures: 0

I have been wanting to change the tach on my 800cc joyner but didnt realize how difficult it was to find a tach compatible with 3 cylinders. I have read on this board somewhere that someone used the autometer phantom series with some success, but I think it is still designed for 4,6,8 cyl. What are others using?

I came across this tach by iEquus. It sounds to be promising and shouldnt break the bank. Anyone else try one.
http://www.iequus.com/products.php?category_id=100_105

volt2amp

Posts: 306

These are both dash mount tachs. And you can chose from 1-12 cylinders on the Iequus and 3,4,6 on the glow shift. I had the Glowshift first, lasted 2ish years now am running the second from Jcwhitney / Iequus. I think they both carry indash also, Same tach. Both range between $30-50.

jojano

Posts: 341

Summit also makes an odd cylinder tach with shift light built in.

Later W.C.

Posts: 415

I use the SunPro 5". It will set up for any cylinder combo of 2-12.
It's not weatherproof though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5-Performance-Tachometer-Black-w-detach-Sh ift-Light_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ33679QQihZ022QQitemZ350 040355091QQtcZphoto

later...mick

Posts: 200

Hey guys I also got some questions about wiring tach to our 3 cyl...

I picked up this sunpro 31/2 inch off of Ebay. It can be set from 2-10 cyl. It was a steal only $35 and free shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Sunpro-3-1-2-inch-Preformance-Tachometer-T ach-CP2012_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33679QQihZ008QQitemZ180224220428QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZW DVW

theres still 3 left...

anyway I received it yesterday and hooked it up. I set it for three cyl, put green wire on coil neg side, wired the red and white to a switch and black to the ground point by the horn. The tach will come on and I can set the shift light and everything, but when I start the engine I get nothing, no movement at all. I dont get it why wont it work... do need a 'filter' for the signal or something?

Posts: 306

Not sure why but on mine also only the + side of the coil will give a signal to the tach. Try that.

Posts: 200

Hey thanks jojano that did the trick... stupid chinese they even got that backwards too Rolling Eyes

Posts: 10 · Newbie Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 10 Pictures: 0

try boat shop...lots o outboards are threes...

Posts: 86

Back in the day I built a Vega GT took out the 4cyl and installed a SB Chevy. The stock tach when hooked to the V8 read double there was an article in Hot Rod Magazine that showed how to add a capacitor or a resistor I just can't remember to the tach lead and then it read correct. I am not sure if that info is on the net somewhere but you could then use the 6cyl setting and do the same thing with any tach. I am not sure if this info is of any use to you or not. I remember doing this and it cost next to nothing less than a buck at the time and it worked.
Mike

Posts: 86

I built this back in the early eighties so if anyone has some old Hot Rod magazines you could look up the article it was on V8ing a Vega written around 79 or 80.
Mike