Tach Trouble

[Vic Suben]

I recently purchased a 1987 Catalina 34. When the boat was surveyed, the tachometer was not working. I subsequently had a very reputable boatyard replace and calibrate the tachometer.

On my voyage to deliver the boat to her new home port, the tachometer worked very well for the first part of the trip. About two hours short of our destination, the tachometer became very erratic and then went to zero where it spent the rest of the trip. Now the tach works for a little while every so often and then it goes to zero.

The electrical connections at the tach and the alternator are tight.

Has anyone encountered this sort of problem before? If so what caused the problem? How was it fixed?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Desperate in New York

Vic Suben
Surprise - Hull No. 453

[Ken Juul]

You mention the connections are tight, but is the wire between in good shape?  Corrosion or breaks may cause intermittant operation.  Don't forget that it is an electrical circuit, need to ensure the ground side is also complete .

[Mike Smith]

Vic -

Check this thread:

http://c34.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=329609511&f=829605811&m=376603911

Mike

Mike and Jan Smith
S/V Breezer
www.mikejansmith.com