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Dwell/tach gone south?

miller

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Just because it's 50+ years old?

Dwell meter with leads together won't zero out. Or does it need volts to it?
Been too dang long.
 
Seems like each meter is different. Most have the directions on the back. If not you could try to Google your meter and see if there is a manual.

To zero your needle on a battery dependant meter, normally in the off position, laying flat, you can turn the adjustment screw in the center to zero. Make sure you have a good battery. There's a battery test procedure on a lot of them too. Normally the battery is use for checking ohms. The one meter I have you set the left knob on 6 and the right knob on dwell. The needle goes to the right and should be within a box printed in the scale. No leads are hooked together.

I have two meters and useing dwell, the leads get hooked up opposite from one to the other. One uses a nine volt battery and the other doesn't use a battery at all.
 
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Most have the directions on the back.
Directions on this one, been gone long time. Attempted to look it up, only thing I found was one photo, nothing else. No brand name on it. Had to re-wire the internal battery hook-up for 9 volt, since the one battery it took, hasn't been made in 25 years.

Ohms 'was' working on it. Need to check that, and open the back to look for loose, etc. wiring. Otherwise, I'll hunt for just a tach/dwell meter...new and improved. Hate when things quit on me!:(
 
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What meter are you using?
This is the one...Fox Valley.

dwell-meter-fox-valley.jpg
 
When my Craftsman Engine Analyzer died a few months back I found a nice little hand held multi-meter / dwell / tach at Advance Auto. Had to order online but for less than $40 I have a nice unit and it fits in my road kit.
 
FWIW, If an electronic control (potentiometer ,"pot") that is separate from the meter is not affecting the needle position it's possible it's contacts are oxidized or dirty from sitting over time. There are several videos on youtube that can give you a idea how to clean and lube them.
 
FWIW, If an electronic control (potentiometer ,"pot") that is separate from the meter is not affecting the needle position it's possible it's contacts are oxidized or dirty from sitting over time.
Yes, sir. It works fine, switched to ohms, nada on dwell. btw, that photo is not mine, just one off the 'net'.

KK. Spit my coffee out, laughing so hard, on your crowbar comment. :thumbsup:
 
Hmmm...nothing on needing to be zeroed. OK.
I'll get things back together, and check it out.

Hey, KK...on your MAC, any brand names on the front?

Appreciate ya, guys!
 
Found out yesterday, mine is a MAC ET-360. Label is gone from the front.
 
Sounds like the dwell side is gone, open it might be something really obvious.
 
I have quite a few if you need a replacement most are nos.
 
Something is weak in he unit. Almost sounds like leaking/bad capacitor.
 
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