Meter to check rpms on engine

Oran · Apr 1, 2014

Does anyone have a recommendation for a meter to read the rpms on a engine? I would like it to be able to check two or four cycle engines with plugs. I do not want to sell the farm to buy it. I think it should be some type of inductive pick up.

jimg.allentown · Apr 1, 2014

I have an optical rpm reader/scanner from Harbor Freight. Works by sticking a small bit of reflective tape on the moving part, and reading it digitally on the scanner. Price was around $20 or so. I paid about $17 for it with the coupons and all that they send out. Might be worth looking into for a low budget tool,

DairyFarmerInMA · Apr 1, 2014

I think this one was around $150. Holding the "antenna" at the spark plug reads engine rpm. It also checks Battery charge by holding antenna between terminals on a battery

jethrow4 · Apr 1, 2014

Here's one I use on my Oliver OC3 4 cylinder Hercules. You can find it on eBay for $11.89. Uses a single wire wrapped around the number 1 plug. Sill works fine after 2 years.
Digital Engine Tach

Steve@Advance · Apr 1, 2014

Didn't see a price, but it's as simple as it gets!

http://www.manddsmallengine.com/briggs/tools/19200.html

RayP(MI) · Apr 1, 2014

I have one of those - easy to use and accurate enough for most purposes. (Unless you're running a genset and need 60 hz exactly.

Billy Shafer · Apr 1, 2014

I have used them for years. Easy to install and pretty accurate.Any small engine shop should have one.Called a Tiny Tach or Mini Tach.

wisbaker · Apr 1, 2014

I have one like dairyfarmerinma, think I paid like $80 from Northern Tool & Equipment and it's always worked well.

Tom in TN · Apr 1, 2014

I still have an old dwell / tachometer left over from the days of points ignitions. I still use it on my tractor and it works fine. I'm not sure if you can even buy them anymore, but I probably bought mine at an auto parts store about 30 years ago.

Obviously, the ideas in the other posts in this thread are good ideas.

Tom in TN

Charles (in GA) · Apr 2, 2014

There are apps for smartphones that are pretty accurate. they use sound to determine RPM. You just plug in some info (2 or 4 cycle and number of cylinders) and it shows RPM.

Charles

Russ from MN · Apr 2, 2014

I have a Starrett revolution counter, works good on pto shafts and old hit-and-miss engines.

T.R.K. · Apr 3, 2014

I use a PET-304 at work. it is inductive pickup. It counts sparks, so you will have to multiply by 2 to get battery ignition 4 cycle rpm. Not cheap, over $120 with my employee discount.

If you want to read diesel, You will have to go with either an optical pickup or with a mechanical tach.

Meter to check rpms on engine

Oran

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jimg.allentown

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DairyFarmerInMA

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jethrow4

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Steve@Advance

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RayP(MI)

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Billy Shafer

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