Yanmar control panels - rev counter

[Ephesian]

I've got a Yanmar 2GM with the basic control panel (key, start button, buzzer and a few warning lights). Ideally I'd like to add a rev counter and engine hour counter.

The loom from the engine has a number of wires that aren't attached to the panel, presumably for sensor functions that the panel doesn't support. Any chance that one of those carries engine revs? And if so could it be wired to a "standard" off the shelf rev counter gauge? Or will I just need to get something with its own sender and attach that to the engine?

 

[Spyro]

Easiest solution is probably a http://www.tinytachuk.com/ it includes an hour meter

 

[prv]

The Yanmar rev counter sensor screws into the bell housing on the back of the engine, port side. If your panel is the original one (ie it never had a rev-counter gauge) then it's unlikely that the sensor will be fitted to the engine. The wiring is in place in the loom, but there's nothing on the end of it.

You can buy a kit of the sensor and the matching Yanmar gauge (has to be the right one for your engine model), but it's quite expensive. I believe there are generic kits that would work out cheaper.

Pete

 

[Talulah]

Even if the loom doesn't have the wires you'll only need to add one wire.
That is the 'W' wire off the alternator.
The positive and negative will already be on your engine panel.

http://www.furneauxriddall.com/cgi-...eter&PN=Wema_Tachometers.html#a110912#a110912

make sure you order a guage that goes to 4000 rpm, not 7000 rpm assuming you have a diesel engine.

 

[prv]

Even if the loom doesn't have the wires you'll only need to add one wire.
That is the 'W' wire off the alternator.

I'm not certain, but I don't think the standard Hitachi alternator has a W terminal.

Could just be labelled differently, of course. I don't have the manual here with me.

Pete

 

[Talulah]

I'm not certain, but I don't think the standard Hitachi alternator has a W terminal.

Could just be labelled differently, of course. I don't have the manual here with me.

Pete

I think you're right. I vaguely remember my Yanmar alt had no 'W' terminal but Yanmar had fitted a separate lead coming off with a bullet connector. (White wire I think.)
I have a spare Yanmar Hitachi alt at home. I'll take a look if I remember/find it.

 

[prv]

I think you're right.

Tiny Tach looks like the answer then, especially as he also needs an hour meter. Personally I prefer the needle gauge of the Yanmar item; a quick google doesn't find anyone selling it, but I remember it being pricey.

Pete

 

[Talulah]

Tiny Tach looks like the answer then, especially as he also needs an hour meter. Personally I prefer the needle gauge of the Yanmar item; a quick google doesn't find anyone selling it, but I remember it being pricey.

Pete

The hour meters are nothing special. It's just how long the key is turned on.
Personally I would go with the first one on the link I posted earlier but just check the alt has the fly lead coming out. (I can't imagine it doesn't.)

 

[prv]

The hour meters are nothing special. It's just how long the key is turned on.

Sure, but if he wants both and one device can do both, it's another reason to go in that direction.

Personally I would go with the first one on the link I posted earlier but just check the alt has the fly lead coming out. (I can't imagine it doesn't.)

Mine doesn't have any flying leads coming out.

Pete

 

[Talulah]

Sure, but if he wants both and one device can do both, it's another reason to go in that direction.

But the Tachometer I previously mentioned has both the tacho and the hour meter in the one unit.

Mine doesn't have any flying leads coming out.

I believe you can just open it up and add one.

 

[prv]

But the Tachometer I previously mentioned has both the tacho and the hour meter in the one unit.

Ah, sorry, didn't notice that.

So it comes down to whether to solder things to the alternator or bolt things to the fuel pipes. Price seems roughly similar; I can't find a current one for the TinyTach, but it was £55 a few years ago apparently.

Marine Power did say that they sell very few of the proper Yanmar kits.

Pete

 

[Talulah]

Ah, sorry, didn't notice that.

So it comes down to whether to solder things to the alternator or bolt things to the fuel pipes. Price seems roughly similar; I can't find a current one for the TinyTach, but it was £55 a few years ago apparently.

Marine Power did say that they sell very few of the proper Yanmar kits.

Pete

There's absolutely no point in buying Yanmar. The guages are just rebadged VDO. Recently I replaced the VDO with the Wema. If anyone doesn't want to open up the alternator to add the wire there are loads of tacho sensors on ebay. I've no experience of the TinyTach.

 

[xeitosaphil]

I had a similar request but only for a Tacho as I already had an engine hour meter fitted.

My engine is also a Yanmar 2GM20 and when priced the pukka Yanmar Tacho was £150.00 from memory + sensor for the flywheel.
Needless tp say I bought the Tiny tach at same sort of price as suggested, and been very pleased with the results.Ten minuite job to fit and has engine hours ,Tacho Rpm, and a count down to service hrs, really good value for moneyIMHO.