Single cylinder tacho???
Submitted: Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 22:43
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Stuart
Hi all, I'm building a generator/ compressor combo and I am using a single cylinder stationary engine of about 4HP to run it. I would like to hook up a tacho to it but where do I find one for a single cylinder engine?
That's my question now here are the details: We occasionally need compressed air and/or a 12volt generator on trips. I have used an air conditioning compressor as an air compressor for many years on my
old truck but on my new one I don't have diff locks ect so it's use is more limited and I would prefer to have something that is not in the engine bay. I have an electric compressor but nothing pumps like the air con pumps. The 12 volt generator will simply be a Bosch altenator and will be used for those times when a drive of an hour or two is needed to top up the batteries or some one gets caught with a flat battery but won't be for direct jump starting. The tacho would help optimise setting the revs for each application. The whole lot sits on two small air cylinders under the motor ect. It is reasonable in size measuring L500mm X W250 X H 450. The idea behind this project is to use it as a back up unit. It will cost me virtually nothing as I have a great little 4 stroke motor, altenators and compressors, most of the gauges and bits 'n' pieces I need and a lathe for the machining so it's a project come something to tinker with in the garrage. I have also made a very good (read quiet) muffler for it. I have geared the altenator up about 5 to 1 and the comp down about 3 to 1. I haven't run it yet as I still need another day or 2 to finish machining up the pullies. Any CONSTUCTIVE ideas would be most welcome. Cheers.
Reply By: V8 Troopie - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 23:50
Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 23:50
Well Stuart, it looks like you are a bit of a tinkerer, like myself LOL.
That tacho request has me intrigued, you really don't 'need' a permanently hooked up one for the gadgets you are hooking up to the motor. So I guess you would like to use it just for setting up purposes as you mentioned. In that case you could use an optical tacho on the flywheel. These are quite useful for other whirring wheels as
well. Where to get one? Try the modelling shops, optical tacho's are used on the little model IC engines. I believe they are not too expensive these days with the price of electronics going down all the time. All you need to do is stick a strip of white tape to the flywheel to use these tacho's.
Be warned though, fast running machinery appears standing still under the strobe light - keep the fingers away.
good luck,
Klaus
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Follow Up By: Stuart - Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 00:31
Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 00:31
Hi Klaus, Point taken about being permanently hooked up and I had thought about one of those but even wholesale they are about $55-60. I was hoping I could modify/ trick an existing one. However like you say, it could come in hand for other stuff.
Will probably go that way if I get no other ideas. The handbrake wouldn't be to keen as I always seem to be spending money on some sort of tool and she still remembers how much I spent on the lathe even if it was a bargin. A tinkerer's life is never easy but it is fun.
Cheers and thanks.
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