Author Topic: Where to get an LCD tachometer?  (Read 6587 times)

Offline loply

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Where to get an LCD tachometer?
« 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


Offline Bluechips

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Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
« Reply #1 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

Offline rleete

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Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2012, 09:55:34 PM »
Creating scrap, one part at a time

Offline sshire

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Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
« Reply #3 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
Best,
Stan

Offline AR1911

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Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
« Reply #4 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

Offline loply

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Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
« Reply #5 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.

Offline AR1911

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Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
« Reply #6 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.

Offline Chazz

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Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
« Reply #7 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
Craftex CT129N Mill & Craftex 9 x 20 CT039 Lathe

Offline WillieL

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Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
« Reply #8 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

WillieL

Midwestern USA

Offline AR1911

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Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
« Reply #9 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.

Offline BillTodd

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Re: Where to get an LCD tachometer?
« Reply #10 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
Bill