ELECTRO-i’dOTNE

NSTRUCTIBN

ELECTRIC TACHOMETERS
ESCRIPTION ature are encountered or where high humidity
prevails, unless the instrument is equipped with a
The dial-type tachometer consists of a generator watertight case.
mounted on the governor drive connected by means
of a pair of leads to an indicating instrument. When The tachometer generator is provided with a
readings are desired in more than one location, standard SAE screw-type couplings for direct drive.
several indicators may be used with one generator. It it important that the hex mounting nut be
The generator consists essentially ~?i a permanent tightened firmly to avoid loosening due to possible
magnet and a wound armature with commutator vibration.
and brushes. It is especially designed to maintain a
stable output proportional to shaft speed. When The digital tachometer can be mounted in the
connected by means of a pair of leads to a suitable existing opening from the tachometer indicator. For
DC indicator. speed will be accurately measured. a typical application of the digital tachometer refer
The indicator is basically a voltmetsr with a scale to Fig. 1.
calibrated in revolutions per minutct.

The digital tachometer replaces [he tachometer

generator and tachometer indicator system. The
digital tachometer ha5 no mo\.ing parts. It senses
engine speed through the use of a magnetic pickup
mounted on the starter motor bracket. Teeth of the
flywheel ring gear create pulses at the magnetic
pickup as they pass. The pulses are counted and
processed by the tachometer. and engine RPM is
/ displayed numerically, with a maximum indication
of 999. If readings are desired in more than one
location a second tachometer mav be run off of the
magnetic pickup. However, if a third tachometer is
desired an additonal magnetic pickup is required.
The digital tachometer can be applied to all marine
and industrial 645 engines equipped with a dual
starter motor bracket.

INSTALLATI
MOUNTING
The tachometer indicator should be mounted
rigidly on a switchboard, instrument panel, or wall 24235
free from excessive vibration. It should, if possible.
be kept out of locations where extremes of temper- Fig.1 -Typical Application Of Digital Tachometer

*This bulletin is revised and supersedes previous issues of this number.

DE-MP - I- April 1981

 M.1. 365

CONNECTIONS

Am
Magnetic Pick-Up

The preferred size of wzire for connecting the

generator to the indicator is No.14 .4WG. All

1‘ T-
connections should be clean and tight.
B
+
CAUTION
Avoid shorting binding posts of generator
while in position. If the w?res run in conduit. White
the conduit should be grounded to av,oid static
Black
charges w-hich may affect the ov,erall accurac!‘.
For the same reason ground the instrument Y
and generator cases. T 24240

Fig.2 - Wiring Of Magnetic Pickup To

On the digital tachometer. care must be taken to Digital Tachometer
maintain correct polarity at all wiring connections.
The wiring between the magnetic pickup and the
,digital tachometer must be a shielded cable with a 24UDC
:ferred size of No. 14 AW’G. To check the t-J (+J
&chometer circuit for correct wiring and polarityP
refer to Figs. 2 and 3.

RECOMMENDED PROTECTIVE
FUSES FOR DiGITAL
TACHOMETERS

When using a power suppl!. app!! a 1.O ampere fuse

in the positive lead between the system suppl!,
voltage and the power suppi!..

When using a system supply voltage of 24 V DC,

apply a 0.5 ampere fuse in the positive lead between
the supply \.oltage and the tachometer.

For units with 120 V DC supply voltage using Fig.3 - Wiring Of Tachometer To 24 V DC Source

\ ‘star assembly 9516252. connect a 2.0 ampere

twe in the positive lead betvveen the system supply DIGITAL TACHOMETER
voltage and the resistor. ADJUSTMENT
MAINTENANCE The tachometer is preset at the factory and should
not need adjustment at installation. However, in
TACHOMETER INDICATORS some cases it may be necessary to make adjustments.
There are two methods available for adjusting the
The indicators require no servicing in the field other tachometer if required. Method A is the most
than an occasional check to see that the pointer rests accurate and should be used if equipment is
on zero when the generator is not running or the available. Method B is not as accurate, but will
connection is open. All indicators have an accessible provide an acceptable setting. Before any adjustment
zero adjusting screw which when turned right or left is made to the tachometer the magnetic pickup
with a screwdriver, will bring the indicator pointer should be qualified as follows. The gap between the
to its correct zero position. If the pointer cannot be magnetic pickup and the flywheel should be 0.025”+
brought to the zero position by turning the zero 0.005”. Connect an AC voltmeter across the pickup
adjusting screw, the instrument should be returned leads. Output must be greater than 5 V AC with the
to the factory for servicing. engine running at idle.

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 M.I. 365

If an acceptable setting cannot be obtained using TACHOMETER GENERATORS

either Method A or Method B the instrument
should be returned to the factory for servicing. The generators require very little servicing when
properly mounted and connected. However, the
METHOD A coupling spider should be replaced at the intervals
indicated in the applicable Scheduled Maintenance
1. Connect 24 V DC to power input terminals 3 Program.
(Pos.) and 1 (Neg.), Fig. -f.
LUBRICATION
24 VDC
t-1 (+I No lubrication is required in the field as all bearings
4 4 are of the ball bearing type and are properly packed
at time of manufacture. Do not dismantle these
generators in an attempt to service internal parts
other than cleaning the commutators and brushes.
Servicing internal parts without proper facilities
may result in incorrect speed indications.

The digital tachometer requires no lubrication as it

has no moling parts.

BRUSHES AND COMMUTATORS

On occasion. it is possible that the instrument
indications may become erratic or fluctuate. This is
normall>- a sign that the generator commutator and
Audio Oscillator Frequency Counter brushes are dirt\, and require cleaning, or that the
24511 brushes ha\-e become worn. Rrmoie the generator
from its installation and thoroughly clean it
Fig.4 - Bench Setting Connections externalI> before attempting to open it. To open the
generator proceed as ioilows:
2. Connect the audio oscillator and frequency
counter to terminals 1 and 5. Adjust the 1. Remois small coier plate he!d by four screws
oscillator for 3975 Hz. 51. PK-PK sine wave. and puil out smail pin immediately under co\-er.

3. Adjust RH 1 in the tachometer until the CAUTiON

tachometer reads 900 2 4 RPM. Do not lose small pin.

4. Change the oscillator frequency to 1987 Hzand Disconnect the two connector strips from the
verify, a tachometer reading of 450 2 2 RPM. brush holder. RemoL-e the screw holding the
brush holder assembly and lift out of its
METHOD B position. Note the position of assembly and
mark one side. to insure reassembly in the same
1. Run engine at full speed (approximatei!, 900 relative position. Be careful not to bend the
RPM). Measure engine speed with a hand brushes. If necessary, leads can be disconnected
tachometer. from brush holder after being removed from the
generator housing.
2. Adjust RHl in the tachometer until the
tachometer reading is the same as the hand Clean brushes and commutator with a clean dry
tachometer + 4 RPM. cloth free from lint.

3. Bring engine speed to idle and check whether CAUTION

digital tachometer indication is within F2 RPM Avoid the use of benzine or any other cleaning
of hand tachometer indication. fluid as it will destroy the treated surface of the
brush and commutator.
NOTE
Tachometer case must be removed to adjust When cleaning the brushes place them on a
RHI. clean flat surface to avoid bending and wipe

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M.I. 365

carefully. Any foreign matter between the use. As the treatment of the brushes and their
tongues of the brushes, should be removed mounting is an important factor in the operation
carefully with a sharp wood stick. of the generator, the brushes are not sold
separately. The brush tension has been carefully
To clean the commutator use a clean cloth and adjusted and no attempt should be made to
with the aid of a sharp wood stick, force the alter the factory adjustment. The brush holder
cloth into the commutator slots to clean out any assembly and mounting screw should be
foreign matter. Wipe the commutator until carefully removed from its package and the
further wiping no longer soils cloth. instructions carefully read before installation.
The mounting screw. having a Class 3 fit,
4. To assure proper brush tension on the commu- should thread into the casting freely but
tator, the brushes must be perfectly flat when without too much play. Excessive play will
removed from the brush holder. To check this, result in vibration and will greatly reduce the
place the brushes and damping springs on a life of the brushes.
clean flat surface such as plate glass. The
brushes and damping springs should be smooth, After installing the brush assembly, make sure
clean and straight except for the slight bend at that the brush holder is free to rock slightly
the tip which aids in guiding the brushes on the when the mounting screw is properly seated,
commutator. The rocking motion should onlv be sufficient to
enable the brush holder to maintain a neutral
ii Replace the brushes on the brush holder and position so that the tension and pressure of the
mount the brush holder assembly in the two brushes will be properly equalized on the
generator. See Step 2. Do not oil or lubricate commutator.
the brushes. Worn or badly bent brushes should
be replaced. 5. The connecting w,ires leading to the brush
holder should be bent so that there is no tension
It is recommended that a complete spare brush on the strips. thereby causing the brushes to
holder assembly be kept on hand for emergency shift with an upward or side thrust.

0 e 0 @ A Service Department Publication o l e o

Electra-Motive Division Of General Motors La Grange, Illinois 60525

-4- Litho in U.S.A.