Rev counter wired from an alternator??

Now with my new found power and rev limit I think its time I got round to fitting that rev couter.

Its a conventional electric rev counter that is wired from the coil. The problem is I haven't got an ignition coil because of the magneto!

I'm sure I have read somewhere that you can wire a rev counter from the back of the alternator.

Is this possible?

How is it wired if it is possible?

Does the alternator have to be running with a 1:1 ratio with the engine to make the rev counter accurate?

 

I can't say I've ever heard or read of running it off off an alt. or gen.
In my limited experience with these things a magneto requires a tach.made for a magneto or a converter of some sort or mechanichal tach drive on the magneto itself.
I know it's not "traditional" but I'm pretty certain that Auto meter offers a converter(from mag.to conventional tach).
I can hardly wait for the responses on this subject,as it should be educational for me as well .
T.OUT

 

What this thing?



Doesn't say how it works or how its wired.

Theres 6 wires coming out of this thing, where do they all go!

 

Found the pdf installation instructions.

http://www.autometer.com/download_instruction/753A.pdf

 

That's the thingy you need(provived your Rod is 12V).Is it something you posess or something you found on the net?I'm sure if you have it and don't know how to wire it you can contact AutoMeter and they will be glad to help.

T.OUT

 

No, pulled it off the Autometer site. Posted the link to the wiring diagram above. Seems pretty straight forward to wire.

Found out that diesels have rev counters off the alternator. Does anybody know if its wired straight to the rev counter from the alternator?

 

Delco alternators for diesels have an extra terminal for the tach.. there are a few issues to consider, check here....

http://www.amplepower.com/primer/tach/

CC

 

Hey Enfo,that was a good read.
It was also enough to keep me from even considering the alternator driven tach thing.
I don't know how you guys find some of this stuff out there but I must say at times I am genuinely impressed.
T.OUT

 

the traditional way to go is to run a generator, with a Stewart Warner adapter for a mechanical drive tach.

Just though I'd mention it, even though I know no one here besides gear jammer would do such a stupid thing.

 

Excellent link ProEnfo.

Back to the "black box" then.

I'm kicking myself now for p***ing up on a NOS dynamo with the tach drive on the back!

 

That or an early mag with the mechanical drive built in ..

CC