Multi Meter and Diesel Tach

[travlinman]

Well, I had to give my borrowed tools back.

So now I am in the hunt for a digital multi meter and a diesel tach for my generator. Any recommendations out there? I was using a basic Snap On multi meter that worked great, other than that I have not much experience with these.

Thanks for any input,

TM

[luvrbus]

TM, try Extech they have good meters at good prices,are we talking about a handheld tach or engine mount anyway I buy my electronic gadgets from www.calright.com   866-363-6634

good luck

[travlinman]

Luvrbus,

I am looking for a handheld tach so I can take it with me in the future, any thoughts?

TM

[luvrbus]

TM, try the link and have Calright mail you a catalog for Extech I use the non contact Extech model hand held tach myself you use reflective tape and it read off the tape sometime the contact models are hard to get into places 

good luck

[TomC]

With a generator-you don't need a tachometer.  What you should have is a hertz (cycles per second) meter-whether it be built into your inverter (like mine is) or you just plainly plug it into one of your outlets.  Then you can adjust the speed of your generator properly.  No load should be around 62hz/second and full load should be right at 60hz/second.  Good Luck, TomC

[garhawk]

Hi TM,

Try this for setting your generator RPM.

Tools you'll need:

Accurate electric clock w/second hand
Stop watch
Screw Driver

a)  Bring generator up to operating temperature
b)  Plug electric clock into generator
c)  Compare one minute on clock to one minute on stop watch
d)  If clock is slow, use screw driver to increase generator RPM
e)  If clock is fast...

[luvrbus]

TM, I too use a tach and multi meter to set generators my multi meter has the hertz function I was taught to do it that way years back.
I have no idea what engine you have but some are a PITA to set the rpm and some with the electronic control board it has to be done with software on a lap top    
The new Onan and other inverter types do pose a problem setting I had to buy the software from Cummins and like Tom made mention temperature plays a big role in setting one and that should be on a tag somewhere on the head 

good luck

[Len Silva]

Gary,

That was a great idea a few years ago, but shows your age.  Where are you going to find an electric clock today?

[travlinman]

Awesome replies....but......I used the term "generator" to loosely. I actually have a Diesel Battery Charger. More specific a two cylinder Kubota engine with a 280 amp DC alternator on it.

It is running poorly at my current high altitude location so I need to make some adjustments. Adjusting the throttle setting is actually quite easy, two nuts are loosened on the throttle lever and then the RPM can be adjusted.

I have no experience with generators, but now I can see that they are adjusted  much differently.

Thanks for all the input,

Luvrbus I will check out that link!

[bevans6]

I got a cheapie laser tach from our equivalent of Harbor Freight (Princess Auto)  and it worked a treat for me when I was  setting my my 8V-71.

Brian

[dougyes]

Craftsman (Sears) makes a good quality and good priced digital clamp meter with the Htz function and it reads both ac and dc amps.

[belfert]

I recently bought a $20 digital multimeter at Home Depot because I can't find my Greenlee one anywhere.  It works really nice for basic voltage measurements and such. I have no idea if it will do hertz or not, but I kinda doubt it.