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The Shop => Electronics & IC Programing => Topic started by: loply on October 02, 2012, 05:48:34 PM

Title: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
Post by: loply on October 02, 2012, 05:48:34 PM

Hi folks,

Does anybody know where I can pick up a simple, pre-made LCD photo-interrupter tachometer?

I've seen them once or twice over the years but can't find them available now.

I want to hook one up to my lathe as it's hard to know the spindle speed now that I have a VFD. I have a laser tacho but want to wire up a permanent solution.

Cheers,
Rich

Title: Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
Post by: Bluechips on October 02, 2012, 09:45:13 PM

I don't know if these are any good, but I have considered getting one for my 16" SB that I put a VFD on. The SFM option looks interesting.

http://mkctools.com/tachoptions.htm

BTW  - I don't know this guy, just stumbled across his products on  the web.

Mike

Title: Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
Post by: rleete on October 02, 2012, 09:55:34 PM

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=tach

Take your pick. 

Title: Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
Post by: sshire on October 03, 2012, 08:16:13 AM

When I added a VFD to my lathe, I got the Tachulator. Works perfectly. I wrapped the sensing pattern around the spindle inside the gearbox. Especially like the SFM function. The circuit board seems well designed and made. No problems at all.
Best
Stan

Title: Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
Post by: AR1911 on October 03, 2012, 02:59:11 PM

They are all over ebay for under $20 shipped.
Ive had one for a year, just started using it. it's a lifesaver

Title: Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
Post by: loply on October 03, 2012, 06:13:58 PM

AR1911, which kind did you get? I've tried searching but I can only find laser tachos and automotive tachos, neither of which is ideal.

Title: Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
Post by: AR1911 on October 03, 2012, 06:17:41 PM

Loply,  I did not understand you wanted a non-laser variety.
The only one like that I have was originally sold as a fan-clutch tester, and it's pretty crude.

Title: Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
Post by: Chazz on October 04, 2012, 12:36:03 AM

Check out SenDEC tachometers, they have 2 flavors to choose from, RPM only (6,000 iirc) or, RPM while the machine is running & accumulated hours (9,999.9) when the machine is off.

As an example, here is one distributor,

https://www.gdimeters.com/products/5/Products+by+Type/rotating-shaft-tachometer-hour-meter

HTH,
Chazz

Title: Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
Post by: WillieL on October 05, 2012, 08:54:54 AM

Another vote for the "Tachulator". Works flawlessly and very accurate in my experience.

http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,6766.0.html (http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,6766.0.html)

Title: Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
Post by: AR1911 on October 05, 2012, 09:08:45 AM

I have a Tachulator that i have yet to install. Bought it directly from the source, a nice guy in Hurst TX, a few miles from me.
But I confess I like the looks of that SenDec better. I may have to buy one and take a look.

Title: Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
Post by: BillTodd on October 08, 2012, 03:05:37 PM

Some VFDs  can measure pulses on a spare input and display the result in RPM.

I have a variable reluctance sensor on the spindle of my mill with a simple op-amp to generate square pulses. The pulses feed one of the ABB VFDs inputs. It requires a half dozen settings to get it to display spindle RPM

Bill