Installation of a tachometer

[Havin' Fun]

I need to put one in my boat and was wondering how simple or complex this process is...I believe the wiring unit is presently set out of the motor, but just needs to be wired up? Anyone get me started?

[Valv]

Just run the wires up to the dash and connect tachometer. Most of them have multi settings for different motor types.

You need 4 wires to it:

Purple (+ under key)

Black ( - Negative)

Blue (Light)

Gray (Motor signal)

Once you connected it yoiu can adjust setting with motor running, it will not hurt gauge

[marine_man]

What kind of controls / motor do you have? This will make a difference on where to find your wires...

marine_man

[Havin' Fun]

Merc. 60 hp 4 stroke. I have a wire coming out of the motore that has been sealed and crimped. I believe I was told this is for the tach. I would guess I will find all four colors there??

[marine_man]

Ok... the next question is what kind of control setup do you have... console steering or tiller? If it's console, is it a flush mount control box, where it basically looks like the control arm looks like it's coming out of the side of the boat, or is it rectangular box type of control box? That'll make a difference on where you get all your wires from.

What color is the wire that's capped off on your motor?

marine_man

[Havin' Fun]

The wire is black. Probably 10 gauge?

Tiller.

Thanks for your help.

[marine_man]

You're going to need to follow that wire back to it's source and see what color wire it's connected to. Do you have any other gauges right now? If you do the installation will be pretty straight forward - get the signal wire from the motor and connect the switched power, ground, and light wire from the other gauge to the tach and you're in business.

If you don't have any other gauges you'll need to connect to a switched power wire under the hood (usually purple), a engine ground, the signal wire from the engine for the tach, and if you wish, a power wire from the nav lights on your boat to wire the gauge completely. It'll be a little bit of a project, but shouldn't be anything terrible.

marine_man