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Thinking ahead.....adding a tachometer

Kimodc

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I am thinking I may want to add a tachometer at some point. My dash is in the car, but still tilted downward and I can reach and work behind it if needed, so I am thinking now is the best time to prepare wires for a tachometer. If I understand correctly, an aftermarket tach will need 4 wires......

1)- sender wire to coil
2)- 12V to ignition-
3)- 12V to dash lighting
4)- ground


When connecting the 12V to dash lighting, am I best connecting to the dimmer switch so that it dims along with the rest of the gauge lighting or just connect it to the switch so that is "on" at full brightness when the lights are on, and otherwise "off"?

Where is the easiest point to connect to 12V ignition? I don't imagine this will be to difficult, and was thinking I will probably just go back to the fuse box with this one.... but would still like to hear suggestions?

Does the sender wire to the coil have to be kept apart from other wires to prevent interference?

I am not sure of location of my tach yet......I know it won't be a factory one in the gauge cluster as I wanted to keep my clock. I was thinking either on the steering column or under the dash in front of the console..... wanted to get my dash and steering wheel and seat all in place first and sit in it for a bit to see where I would like to put it.


I am looking forward to hearing suggestions from all those who have done this before, as I am sure there is much to be gained from your experiences!
 
Autometer tach:

Screenshot_20210511-022231~2.png
 
What car?
Mine is.on the console in the factory location. It's wired to be illuminated the whole time.
20210506_095849.jpg
 
Car is a ‘69 Sport Satellite, 4 speed with a console.

Thanks for the diagram, makes it looks ok pretty simple.

66 Sat, that looks great. So did you connect the white and red wire to the same 12v ignition source? What’s your middle gauge on your 3 gauge cluster?
 
You will find an orange wire under the dash, this is the instrument cluster lamps and will dim with the switch. There is a three wire a connector in the center part of the dash that takes a bullet connector. Consult your service manual,,,,
 
Car is a ‘69 Sport Satellite, 4 speed with a console.

Thanks for the diagram, makes it looks ok pretty simple.

66 Sat, that looks great. So did you connect the white and red wire to the same 12v ignition source? What’s your middle gauge on your 3 gauge cluster?

I can't help on the wiring sorry - I got an auto electrician to hook them up for me. I'm more mechanical repairs than electrical. The gauges left to right are: Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Volts.
 
The wiring diagram 67charger383 posted is a good one. Wire the the light of the tach to an existing instrument panel light wire (or even look for an unused lighting pigtail that may already be in place) that way it will dim with the rest of them too.

This is the same car (essentially), except the console.

F0E07278-18D8-41CF-BEE8-70712645CF67.jpeg
 
Back in the day, we installed Sun Super Tach... that was by far the popular setup. Either on a strap around the steering column, or above/below the dash. The original ones had a separate control box, I still have a complete original setup. But, the new ones manufactured eliminate the separate box. That's what I got on MY steering column, in front of the useless clock. Period correct for "day two" cars !
 
7E71B874-D7A4-4EA7-B3D8-E77D45DF0A3A.jpeg
0398AC25-44A3-4025-ACDF-2C8410DBEC9E.jpeg
Got this still new in the box (circa 1982) just put it in, my car has the clock only in the dash
 
very nice! I love seeing the tach pics..... I am liking the tach on the console like UnderPressure, but also thinks it looks cool on the steering column.
 
I like on steering column also, but then found a hole under the ashtray and still used the steering column mount upside down, kinda liked better, I like the older Mopars on the console
 
Never understood putting gauges under the dash or on the console, it's best to keep them in your periphery line of sight...
 
Ranger 16 that looks cool! Has anyone ever put them on the A pillar?
 
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