Vintage tach to diesel

[o2batsea]

Oodles of Smiths tachs out there, I have found several vintage ones that look usable. Anybody adapt one to alternator pick up?

[Ren Ching]

I don't think there was a "stock" series tacho. I also think that there are Smiths tachs that work with alternators. I should stop thinking so much. But, I drive more by the EGT gauge.

[o2batsea]

Contacted both CAI (http://www.caigauge.com/index.html), who make Smiths gauges, and the Gaugeguys (http://www.gaugeguys.com/index.html) to see if they can help. Between the two I should be able to get a tach and an EGT meter that match the "classic" Smiths instruments (keeping fingers crossed). Both claim they'll make anything you want. Gaugeguys sell the oil and water, and clock, volt and ammeter that match, brand new.

[jaygoss]

These guys have tachometers that they have been using on their Series restorations. When I've dealt with Charles in the past, he has been hot and cold. Sometimes he's willing to sell items and sometimes he'd rather keep them for customers who are having him restore their Series Rovers. He is very proud of what he has and asks a premium for it. It might be worth a try- and he might be able to tell you if this would work for your application (diesel engine- alternator hookup, etc). I can't, for some reason, cut and paste the link directly to the page- but there is a link for "instrument panel" (scroll down) under "parts" that shows the tach they've been using. It's hard to see the detail enough to make out the name of the gauge but I think it's a Smiths unit.

http://www.land-roverco.com/

[JSBriggs]

These guys have tachometers that they have been using on their Series restorations. When I've dealt with Charles in the past, he has been hot and cold. Sometimes he's willing to sell items and sometimes he'd rather keep them for customers who are having him restore their Series Rovers. He is very proud of what he has and asks a premium for it. It might be worth a try- and he might be able to tell you if this would work for your application (diesel engine- alternator hookup, etc). I can't, for some reason, cut and paste the link directly to the page- but there is a link for "instrument panel" (scroll down) under "parts" that shows the tach they've been using. It's hard to see the detail enough to make out the name of the gauge but I think it's a Smiths unit.

http://www.land-roverco.com/

http://www.land-roverco.com/images/parts/cpanel1.jpg

Charles Kellog is your classic rover 'nut'. Every region seem to have one.

-Jeff

[o2batsea]

Those are the standard Smiths gauges (http://www.gaugeguys.com/Smiths/classic.htm) that are available new from the Gaugeguys site. I am trying to get them to make me a 0-4000 rpm diesel tach. The one pictured is the 7000 rpm unit.

[o2batsea]

Oh-Kaaaayyy, striking out on the Smiths option. Nobody wants to touch it. Looks like I have two optios. Alternator pick up or magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor would have to be fit to the bellhousing so it can count the flywheel teeth. These are more easily calibrated cz you just set the dial on the back of the tach to match the tooth count on the flywheel.
Alternator Pickup type. These are a bit more tricky because they are calibrated by setting dip switches or some other thing that allows for varialtion in pulley ratios. There's a formula you follow and then set the switches by the resulting number. This is far easier to install since it's just wires.

[oilburner]

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=128/prd128.htm

This will run a Smiths universal tach off of an alt with a high-freq connection or other inductive lead. It is pretty much infinitely adjustable. An ABS sensor mounted in the bellhousing or on the crank pulley with a notch will run it too.

[evilfij]

Why not use one out of a NAS D90?

[o2batsea]

There are NAS 90 Diesels? Do tell....

------ Follow up post added October 31st, 2011 03:27 PM ------

New option....make a substitute dial face for a Faria diesel tach that mimics the Jaeger face. I can probably use an old Series speedo and take it apart. Put a Faria diesel tach guts behind the speedo face, put the Jaeger needle on the Faria spindle, and repaint the numbers. With a new bezel kit from Gaugeguys, it should look pretty close to a real Jaeger diesel tachometer, and it'll fit in the jaeger housing and the light will work and look factory-ish.

[evilfij]

There are not NAS diesels, but it gets the signal from the alternator so I don't see why it would matter as there is no redline on the gauge or anything like that. As long as the pulley ratio is the same, it should work with a diesel.

[o2batsea]

Range is too wide. Yes it would work but needle wouldn't move very much

[evilfij]

It is a 6k tach and the 300tdi redlines at what, 4500?

[Antichrist]

This company, http://www.tinytach.com/tinytach/diesel.php sells a tach that gets it's signal from a transducer clamped to an injector line. You can buy the transducers for $35. It might be able to (be modified) to send a signal to to a Smiths petrol tach that gets it's signal from a coil 12v signal.
Just a thought.

[jaygoss]

North Hollywood Speedometer makes custom gauges and, according to their website, they have the Smiths patterns. I had a Porsche 930 turbo and I had them make a reproduction boost gauge with telltale like the vintage 934 race cars had. They were very helpful over the phone. Give them a call- they treated me well and did a great job for me. My guess is they might be able to build what you're looking for or offer some advice in the very least.

http://www.nhspeedometer.com/

[o2batsea]

Thanks Jay will try them

[Mark McDonough]

I just noticed this post. If you have any luck identifying a decent Series II diesel tach, please let me know. I'd be interested in buying one too.

Thanks,
Mark

[o2batsea]

Nothing yet. I am probably going to have to make something from scratch using a marine diesel tach.

[Red90]

Why not just get a VDO? They all work with alternators and you can adjust them to be exactly correct.

[o2batsea]

Wrong font on gauge face. Must match Jaegers.

[Red90]

Lots of styles: http://www.egauges.com/VD2_main.asp

[Mark McDonough]

Could be a very expensive and or time consuming route in terms of calibration but I'll chat with a shop that has done gauge face work for me in the past. If I have any luck, I'll keep you posted

[o2batsea]

I have made a faked up Jaeger gauge face in Adobe Illustrator. I am going to make a waterslide decal from it to put on a donor Jaeger tach from an MG, which I will regut with a VDO marine. I can use a special laser paper to print the face. Only a few bucks for 5 sheets on the 'Zon.

[Mark McDonough]

Well, I gotta say Bill, thats one sweet look'in face. I'd shower you with more acholades only I'm not sure it would all make it's way through our server here at work over to D90.

If you get so far as to do a running propotype of this thing, please respond back. Cripes it probably even has some strong commercial potential. From what I've read on the airwaves the Brits for one have interest in a period correct, well calibrated tach too. I'm sure it may have something to due with bring'in one of these fine mills up to speed when they're a little cold! I'm curious and hopeful to see what you come up with.

Cheers
Mark

[o2batsea]

Mark, I will certainly document the success or failure, but as far as selling them....not gonna go there.

[JBinAlabama]

Thanks for this Bill, I will need it later:)

I did not locate a 200tdi but I did find a NICE 2.25 diesel to use instead and will be needing a tach!

[o2batsea]

Here are the donor bits. The Faria diesel tach I found on eBay for $20. The Jaeger tach is from some random Brit piece of crap sports car and was $15.
I have to put the Faria guts in the jaeger housing. I'll have to mount it by drilling holes in the back so the studs poke thru. They'll need to be isolated from the case. The signal and power wires as well as lighting have to connect.
The dial face will have to be fixed in place around the edge somehow. Still noodling that issue.

[o2batsea]

drilled the old housing for the Faria studs. next up is the center thing that the gauge face attaches to. Too pooped out tonight, but tomorrow I will make the piece. It must be bent exactly so in order for the face to lay flat and be perfectly centered.

[Mark McDonough]

Curious Bill,

Hows this coming along?

Mark

[o2batsea]

It's done. The waterside decal is a slightly purplish shade of black, and the white markings aren't as "white" as I'd like, but it passes the 5 foot test. Gonna do a few more coats of semi gloss clear coat hoping to further hide the difference. Needs calibration.
My m. c. Escher-esque snapshots:

[Ren Ching]

You should have made it go to 11.

[Mark McDonough]

Very nice Bill!

A couple of questions if I may;

What is the outside diameter of the tach housing?

Where do you plan on taking the signal from?

Mark