Oldbaldfella Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Well, I'm back in deep now...... Bought the first (in this decade of my life) low winger yesterday. Well, it was crying out for a four stroke, so stick one of those on the bill too, mate. Now in a former life, I seem to remember owning a tach for the four strokes. Asssuming that it's still a good idea to set a FS up with one, have you any recommendations, please? Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 hello OBF.....if you are going in for competitions etc...fair enough get one....... me i wouldn't bother..... tune the 4st with 3/4 of a tank of fuel and then open it back up a click-----that'll do you...the money saved can be sent to me... .... ken anderson ne..1 ... 10% dept/savings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldbaldfella Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 Ken, I really appreciate you trying to save me money (I REALLY need that!!!!!), but unlike a 2 stroke, I struggle to know when the engine is at it's best. Any hints? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Ah that's the thing about these lads from the NE - there always splashing their money round! Seriously, Ken has the ear of a maestro-musician, for the rest of us a tacho comes in handy just to be sure! I use a popular one you'll see a lot of, badged under different names. Mine is badged by Perkins - and you can see a picture and details of the type here though you can find lots of places that sell them not use Galaxy. In my experience it works well, is reliable, light,hasa long battery life etc - no probs. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldbaldfella Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 Thanks for that, BEB. I was beginning to think I was the only silly s*d who had ever bought one! I am really a bit miffed......I have forgotten soooo much about this hobby. And I gave so much stuff away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 OBF..same as for a 2st...lean it out - nose up - if it cuts open it up - a click or two and thats it ...... maybe a turn either way.....and then it should only need tweaking if you change fuel type/brand or plug...or if the weather changes..ie..summer to winter temps...if you feel you need get rid of your hard earned then go ahead......me i would spend it on something else....... it's OK for BEB.... he is from the well off neck of the wood's..... ken anderson ne...1 ..... watch the dosh dept.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 BEB, even when he's slope soaring Ken can often be seen following his part time job of winkle picking after a short flight. Funny thing is he usually comes back up from the shore line with a damaged model (his own) in his hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 BTW I've got to agree with Ken. Just tune it by ear, it's easy enough to here when an ic engine is peaking without a tach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 BEB......bearing in mind that you and i have shared a glass or two of the old chardonay...i think it's time you took that mcpat fellow to task about some of his rather uncooth comments....... you been The main Mod now? ..... ken anderson ne..1 ..... complaints dept.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myron Beaumont Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I bet Ken built his own rev meter way back when we stuck different lengths of piano wire in a block of wood to see which one resonated with the engine speed .Anyone else remember that? If so maybe you could dig out the dias and lengths so as to build another ? Myron YO13 poor up north spokesman dept Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Ah, uncouth comments eh - which ones were they then? I must have been asleep then. By the way, can I point out that under the 2011 Bribery Act, seeking to curry favour with Mods by dangling implied promises of Chardonnay is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, attempting to influance a Mod's decisions by threatening to expose previous dinners/lunches or other sundry engagements that may, or may not, have taken place, with or without, Chardonnay and/or any other alcoholic beverages of any description is also illegal. BEB (who actually prefers a decent Merlot or Pinot Noir if you're offering!) Edited By Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 04/04/2012 20:40:17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I just bought the same as BEB to replace my old one which had stopped working after more than 15 years, so while some may not need them I do find them useful for checking different props on various electric motors and IC engines. I also have a couple of laser engines and found to my surprise that they were actually running faster a bit richer although they didn't sound it. £20 for something that will last for the next 10+ years isn't too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldbaldfella Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 I've started something here then......................!!! Many thanks to all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I still wouldn't bother with a tach for ic engines. And I'm coother than Ken, I happen to know he only drinks Newcastle Broon Chardonnay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Jeffery Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 hi oldbaldfella click here Edited By Dean Jeffery on 06/04/2012 18:38:42 Edited By Dean Jeffery on 06/04/2012 18:43:11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I have doubts about the necessity for IC engines, although I have none with respect to electric models. With electrics, the opportunity to trade watts for revs etc. is very much a viable option. All be changing the pitch or diameter of the prop, in conjunction with a watt meter. Almost a necessity on reflection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Efolg, a tach can be handy with EP if you want to try a different size prop at the flying field. If the rpm at the max current you want to draw with the particular battery that's fitted is known you can use the tach as an indicator without disturbing the wires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Did I not say he same thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Ehh - no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 I have just bought a Turnigy tacho but have had to send it back for a replacement as it kept loosing the reading at high revs. A friend I fly with has the perkins one and that works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Beeney Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 oldbaldfella 2 - to - oldbaldfella 1 - take a little ganders here. I’ve used the previous Turnigy for a long time, I wouldn’t be without it, it’s been faultless, and I shall be getting this one when my mate does another Hong Kong order. PB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 J Perkins mini tacho suits me fine. Take a note of the readings if you richen an engine one click you have a job to hear an engine note change though the engine revs according to the tacho could drop 150 rpm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 I use the same Tachometer as Peter, it does what is needed, at the right price (purchased from HK). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Beeney Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 I’ve just been looking at the HK Turnigy Micro Tacho, and this does look to be an improvement on the old. For starters, it reads in real time, i.e. the mains frequency reads as 3,000 rpm, not 300 as the earlier one does. The scale is two to nine blades, for EDF, and on the mains it reads correctly right down the list to 666 rpm on the nine blade setting. Also it has a backlight, I’m sure this will be a boon at the strip, in bright conditions. Plus an automatic peak hold reading, again I suspect I will soon appreciate this at times, too. My colleague is going to be away for a short while, so he’s lent me his own, plus 3 cheap-as-chips HK glow plugs, medium temperature, medium hot and hot, just to try out and see if they improve the revs at all. Not bad for 10, presumably US?, dollars, or around £6…… PB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldbaldfella Posted April 14, 2012 Author Share Posted April 14, 2012 Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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