Faria tacho problem

[scottnewcombe]

After spending a good while this weekend upside down in the engine compartment of a friends Macwester Seaforth, I managed to change the duff alternator on the Ford XLD. The batteries were not charging at all and I happened to have a new Lucas A127 in my garage. The alternator went on fine and the batteries are now being charged a treat. Friend is pleased.

Before the changeover I noticed the tacho wasn't working. 4000 faria with the signal connected to W on the alt. I kind of hoped that the new alternator would fix this as well and when the engine first started the tacho seemed to work. However when the revs were put up past tickover the needle shot all over the place.

It now seems vey erratic. Is there a set up procedure for these. The tacho is only weeks old (someone else has rewired the engine for him). I did try the faria-instruments web site but it kept crashing out on me before I could fill in their questions form.

Any experience of these ?

Thanks

Scott

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[colvic]

Erratic output can be due to a slack or under tensioned drive belt.


Phil

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[scottnewcombe]

This is possible. There was a bit of a squeal here and there from the belt but I needed three hands to tighten the belt properly. I am adapting a bottle screw as we speak to help with the job. There is only so much you can do hung upside down with various levers off the engine bearers.

I have managed to get the Installation Instructions from Faria now. They talk about a pole count for the alternator and setting a switch under the instrument to the right number according to the pole count??

Anyone know what the pole count for a lucas A127 is?? My guess is three windings so pole count 3. Any offers?

Thanks

Scott

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[paulrossall]

If you ring Faria and tell them the make of the alternator then they should be able to tell you the correct setting. Asking questions like this of a manufacturer always gives a good indication of how commited they are to customer service. Perhaps ring ASAP supplies who are a dealer as they should know the answer. My tacho has 3 switches on the back which you put in position 1 or 2 and then has a fine adjustment. You can hire a manual rev counter which you hold against the centre of the belt drive to setup the tacho. Good luck. Paul

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[scottnewcombe]

Thanks Paul, I'll give them a try today.

I found a hand held optical tacho the other day in the works van. You put a reflective sticky on the flywheel/pulley/motorshaft and aim the thing at it. Press the button and that's it. I've asked around and nobody seems to own it so I have decided to adopt!

Scott

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