Looking for a hand held tachometer

Folks around here use them to set irrigation pump engine speed

• Hand held tach

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Hi Chris,

Here's what one old-time, low tech one looks like. It is basically a revolution counter that you hold to the end of a rotating shaft and measure the number of revolutions during some standard time period as measured by a stop watch or second hand on a wrist watch. They work real well providing you have access to the end of a shaft or face of a piece of rotating machinery.

I have no idea where you can buy one now-a-days. The one I have is probably well over 50 years old.

Rod

Stewart Warner also makes them. Used to be avilable at WW Graingers or most Refrigeration supply companys.

Mine has a dial on the end much like reading a pressure gauge with a push reset. The only problem with this type of tach is any grease/oil on the shaft center will cause the rubber tip to slip thus giving a inaccurate reading. No big deal as I just used spray brake or carb cleaner before using the tach.

I also have a electronic Tach sensor that plugs into a DVOM with a type K connector that works well but needs a short piece of reflective tape on the shaft. I use this for setting large HVAC fan rpm as it can be pointed at a floresent light to calibrate the tach at 7000rpm. Floresent lights pulse at 7000/min. Cost was about $20 more than a mechincal tach or $110.

T_Bone

My son borrowed mine so I don't have the paper work to look at in front of me. From Jonstones Supply catalog;

UEI Model DPM2 Part# H24-687 $109.95
accuracy +/- 1.2%
rangeA 100 -1999rpm 1rpm resolution
rangeB 1000-19999rpm 10rpm resolution

you need a 200mVDC range on the DVOM

T_Bone