User’s Handbook TA100/TD101 SmarTach Plus / SmarTach Plus Diesel
Caution: Read this first ! INDEX CAUTION: Read this First Page 1 OVERVIEW Page 2 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS Page 4 DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS Battery and Auto Power Off Page 6 Page 6 TACHOMETER FUNCTION Display sequence overview Setting Number of Cylinders Setting Number of Cycles Special Considerations Taking Tach Readings Page 7 Page 7 Page 7 Page 8 Page 10 Page 11 ANALYZER FUNCTION Safety Note Taking IP Readings Diagnostic Using IP Readings Special Considerations Page 13 Page 13 Page 13 Page 15 Page 17 S
TACHOMETER AND SPARK ANALYZER OVERVIEW The SmarTach+ is a professional pocket sized instrument which combines a tachometer function with the ability to provide information on the voltages found in the spark-plug wires of spark ignition motors. Unlike any other tachometer, the SmarTach+ does not need contact with any part of the motor or a clear view of rotating parts, to display the rotational speed of the motor in revolutions per minute (RPM).
SHORT INSTRUCTIONS Spark Analyzer Function/Short Instructions You are encouraged to read ALL of this instruction book before starting to use your SmarTach+. However, for those who don’t wish to do this, abbreviated instructions are as follows: 1. Be safe. Use rubber gloves for this test. Open battery drawer at back of unit. Factory supplied battery is stored in reversed disconnected position. Remove, turn around and connect the battery. 2. Hold instrument by its box and extend the antenna. 3.
BATTERY DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS TACHOMETER FUNCTION Overview of the set up display sequence The SmarTach+ is powered by an alkaline 9 volt battery. A battery is supplied (reversed) in the battery compartment. Just turn it around and connect it. The battery is good for hundreds of tests but will eventually need to be replaced when the ‘LO BAT ‘ sign starts flashing in the top left corner of the display.
repeatedly or hold down the TACH button until the correct display is obtained. Repeated quick button pressing is faster than holding down the button. Your choice of cylinders is: 1CYL, 2CYL, 3CYL, 4CYL, 5CYL, 6CYL, 8CYL, 10CYL and 12CYL. This list of available cylinder settings will repeat if you continue to press TACH after 12CYL. In order to be speedy in normal (experienced) use, the time available to make a selection of cylinders is arranged to be short.
Special Considerations is indicating a speed of about 1200 RPM it should be reset to the 2-cycle setting for a distributorless system. Until a few years ago it was simple to decide whether the cycle setting should be at 2 or 4. With few exceptions, only some motorcycles, lawnmowers and outboard motors would have needed a 2 cycle setting on the SmarTach+. Most motor vehicles use 4-stroke engine in which the ignition system supplies pulses to the plugs ONLY near the tops of the compression strokes.
SmarTach+ in a more comfortable position or to a conve nient resting place (i.e. air filter, etc.). If while doing it, the display start to shows “0000”, then you have moved the antenna to a distance or place in which the signal has become too weak to be detected by the instrument. Try to move the antenna closer to the ignition system or try rotating the SmarTach+, until the RPM reading is reestablish.
4. The end of the antenna is provided with a special sensor which is designed to hook over spark-plug wires. This sensor can be rotated on the antenna to more easily fit to the wires. Hook this sensor on the spark-plug wire for number one cylinder, as near a possible to the spark plug. Pull gently on the antenna at right angles to the spark-plug wire to seat the wire in the groove of the sensor. 5. Observe the IP (Ignition Peak) reading of the display.
Common Causes of Low Voltage Readings Low voltage readings could be caused by any one of the following problems, or a combination of more than one of these problems: the plug and the test point. • Lean mixture. Most likely due to inoperative injector or restriction in fuel injector. • Lean mixture due to vacuum leak. • • • Shorted or dirty spark plug gap. Dirty spark plug insulator allowing spark “tracking” across insulator . Carburetor Engines • • Shorted spark-plug wire.
DIS Ignition Systems SPECIAL CASES Distributorless ignition systems (DIS) may cause significant differences in Spark Analyzer readings. DIS fires spark-plugs with both negative and positive pulses and there may be a wide difference in voltages between the positive and negative pulses. Shielded Spark-Plug Wires For this reason, when performing the Ignition Peak test on DIS systems, the comparison should only be made between sparkplug wires with the same polarity, either positive or negative.
sions due to sparks tracking around damaged wires. This practice will interfere with the normal use of the SmarTach+. Please see the comments under SHIELDED SPARKPLUG WIRES (above). Motorcycles, Ski-Doos and Jet Skis Some of these machines may have motors which are “shoehorned” into a substantial frame so that frame members effectively split the radio transmissions from different plug wires and the SmarTach+ antenna cannot receive transmissions from all the wires simultaneously.
2. Clip the alligator ground clip on the sensor wire onto a clean unpainted section of the same injection pipe. pipe. The clamp must make a good electrical connection to the pipe. 3. Check that battery in the SmarTach+ D is connected. • 4. Insert the jack plug on the sensor wire into the female jack connector on the SmarTach+ D. 5. Set the correct engine cycles (4-Stroke or 2-Stroke) by pressing the TACH button until the correct number is displayed. Display will then switch to “0000”. 6.
• • Note: When you insert the stereo jack plug into the connector, the microprocessor in the SmarTach+ D automatically switches into the diesel mode. This means that settings needed for checking gasoline engines, such the number of cylinders, are no longer required. Also, operation of the PEAK button will be ignored. It follows that you must remove this jack plug before using the unit to check gasoline engines. 5. Press the SmarTach+ button marked TACH.
CARE OF YOUR SmarTach+ Your SmarTach+ is a precision instrument and should be treated as such. Damage caused by mistreatment is not covered by the warranty. Keep the tester in its box when not in use and do not store in areas subject to dampness or severe heat or cold. Very cold temperatures will cause permanent black marks on the liquid crystal display. This is not covered under warranty. Do not use the tester in the rain.
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARISING OUT OF THE SALE OF THE SMARTACH PLUS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE ABOVE ONE (1) YEAR PERIOD, THE MANUFACTURER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR LOSS OF USE OF THE TESTER OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EXPENSES, OR ECONOMIC LOSS OR FOR ANY OTHER CLAIM OR CLAIMS FOR SUCH DAMAGES, EXPENSES OR ECONOMIC LOSS.
TA100M9605 © Copyright 1993-2001 General Technologies Corp.
