Installing an aftermarket tach?

[gixxer6]

Anyone ever install an aftermarket tach?  I’m having trouble figuring out where to connect the signal wire. 

[Lloyd (ljm)]

What kind of aftermarket tach are you trying to install?

[gixxer6]

5” Stuart Warner

[Lloyd (ljm)]

There will be lots of people that know more about it than I do. But I am thinking it will be a challenge to make it work.

[sprocket]

I run a EGT TX-1 tachometer followed the directions works great if the tachometer bounces you need to add a resistor before the tachometer. I ran off one yellow & the other yellow I grounded to the chassis

[rminier]

 What problems are you having, exactly?
How many wires are coming out of this tach? The original has 4 (as you know)....a + and a - for the light, and a + and a - for the tach itself.
Is there a Model # stamped anywhere on the tach?...I'm sure if there is, you have already searched the 'net for info.
Is there any small window, or switch on the backside where you can switch the "poles"?
I'm about 90 % certain the Kawi tachs are a 6 pole tach.....yours may have extra wires to adapt to 4 pole, 6 pole, etc...

 As a side note, many thanks for your tip several months ago, sprocket. I picked up one of those gold resistors from Wahl Bros back in the spring. Finally installed it in November....absolutely cured the "bouncing tach" syndrome for both of my tachs... ,
 If I can ever get away from working 6 or 7 days a week (or retire  ) I will post up some pics.

Rick

[gixxer6]

Here are the install instructions.  I’m not sure where to connect the green wire. 

I will set the switches to 6ppr? 

[rminier]

Dang it...PDF won't download on my laptop or my Kindle??

[gixxer6]

iPhone to the rescue. 

[rminier]

 gixxer6, I thought you were the electronics guru on here...
It is hard to read the fine print....it looks to me that the green wire should be hooked up to the "hot" wire going to the original tach....but I'm bothered that they say not to do this with a high output (MSD) style ignition. Although, the Kawi CDI with the normal spark plug gap isn't nearly as high as some of the automotive set ups with the MSD that may use 60,000 Volts to jump a .060 plug gap.

[gixxer6]

I know the theory behind electronics, what I don't know is what type of input the tach has.  I tried calling Stuart Warner performance but the number has been disconnected.  I am leery connecting the tach input to the AC signal that the Kaw lighting coil outputs, I'm not sure how the tach will handle negative voltage swing.  I was hoping someone had experience and could share. 

[rminier]

http://kawasakitrax.com/kawiforum/index.php?topic=1251.msg9215#msg9215

There is a Red Flag as I'm reading the tach instructions....it is a DC tach.
Does this mean you will have to install a combination Voltage Regulator/Rectifier (like in the thread above) in your sled circuit to provide DC to the tach?
I dunno....it may be you will need a rectifier in the 'hot' wire going to the tach.

[gixxer6]

One step ahead of you.  I have a rectifier/regulator on the way, and plan to run a tiny 12V battery (only weighs 3/4 pound).  I'm going to call Wahl Bros and see what they can tell me.  Sounds like I need to order one of their resistors anyway. 

[rminier]

 Sounds like you're on top of this...
I am now less certain that the Kawi's use a 6 pole tach.
They may be 2 pole.
There was a thread last evening over on the vintagesleds site from a guy looking for a 2 pole tach.
One of the Polaris experts over there commented that most pre '80 Polaris twins used a 2 pole tach.
I have a disassembled spare Invader engine in the garage. I looked at the flywheel last night, and it has 4 magnets....telling me it may need a 2 pole tach.
Although....I really don't know what I'm talkin' about here....
You may have to try the dip switches on your new tach in both ways...2 pole or 6....unless someone on here knows for sure.

[Truder78]

So if a tach bounces it needs a resistor? I ask because my invader tach is steady at idle up until you get going then starts bouncing until I get under 5000 rpms. The track was not spinning and had full traction. Bad tach or something else needed.