How Does A Tachometer Work? - KUS USA

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A tachometer is an instrument that measures the working speed of an engine, typically in revolutions per minute (RPM). It is commonly used in cars, boats, planes, and other vehicles. Most tachometer gauges have either an analog (dial) or digital (LCD or LED screen) display.

Digital tachometers are increasingly common on the market due to their reliability. They include fewer moving parts, which increases the life of the component. Analog options are generally more prone to failure, which is further exacerbated by them having moving parts, as the location of a tachometer is usually close to the engine bay where vibrations are the strongest.

KUS manufactures analog and digital tachometer gauges for vehicle and marine applications. Our KMG Touch/Button Gauge is a multifunctional instrument with tachometer functionality. We also manufacture an NMEA Tachometer Gauge compatible with NMEA 2000 systems.

What is the Use of a Tachometer?

A tachometer helps gauge how hard your vehicle’s engine is working, regardless of whether that vehicle is an automatic or manual transmission (road vehicle) or marine gear (boat).

According to HomeSteady, “machinery typically has an optimal working speed; if it’s running too fast, it might suffer damage. If it’s running too slow, there might be a problem with the machine or its power source. For example, poor lubrication, mechanical friction, or too great of a load might be slowing it down. A tachometer accurately indicates [working] speed.”

For example, in an automatic transmission vehicle, a tachometer can tell you if the transmission shift points are in range or if the transmission is slipping. In a manual transmission vehicle, you can use a tachometer to determine the optimal time to shift gears (but it is not required).

Meanwhile, in marine applications, a tachometer allows you to identify the best operating range for your engine while ensuring that you don’t exceed your maximum engine speed. It also may secondarily inform decisions the vessel’s owner makes surrounding performance and fuel consumption.

Types of Tachometers

Tachometers may be mechanical (analog) or electronic (digital).

According to Homesteady, “mechanical tachometers use electrical and magnetic forces to measure rotation speed; though they employ principles of electricity, they don’t need batteries. Electronic tachometers use electronic circuitry such as digital counters to determine RPMs. They use electric power, so they require batteries or other sources of current.”

In addition, tachometers may be contact or non-contact. A contact tachometer touches the rotating part you are measuring and is more precise. A non-contact tachometer uses light from a laser to illuminate a mark on the rotating equipment; this is typical in certain handheld models.