Tach signal issue with Super Mag.

Discussion in 'PSI Superchargers Tech Questions' started by Kramer Metal Fab Inc., Jul 14, 2016.

  1. Kramer Metal Fab Inc.

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2008
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    6
    I know this topic has gone around a few times. I had a perfect working system. SM4 Auto meter shift light tach MSD signal converter. PSI rev limiter. This is a combination that sounded like it might not work but it worked great never had an issue all year. Switched to SM5 mag. installed FIE rev limiter since we put an air retard on the Mag I had to remove the PSI.
    Had good tach signal on start up and stage. No issue. Let the clutch out and the tach was going nuts. Had the replay camera in the cockpit. The FIE limiter works because I have bumped it at the 1-2 shift since I have no shift light.
    Switched to the FIE tach/signal converter. still having issues Can not get clean signal with the pickup on the coil wire. Also looks like we have noise spiking Fuel pressure. What type shield covering/wrap have you guys used that has helped?
    This is a pedal clutch car 3 speed. learning to drive without a tach but would not mind having stage RPM at least. Using RPM data logger. I am using suppression plug wires and ohmed them out... cant find loose wires or any issues yet. I have checked everything I have been advised to. If you have had issues and solved them please let me know what you did.
     
    #1
  2. Mike Canter

    Mike Canter Top Dragster
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2004
    Messages:
    4,630
    Likes Received:
    189
    I would recommend calling Spud at FIE
     
    #2
  3. swsc4133

    swsc4133 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2012
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    6
    I agree with Mike but ill add that when I was having those problems it ended up being the plug wires. I think it was a matter of them breaking down internally.
     
    #3
  4. Kramer Metal Fab Inc.

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2008
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    6
    I have been communicating with FIE. I have checked everything he has advised to check at this point. I checked the ohms on the wires and they check fine and it happened like a switch when I put the new mag on and I was advised the mag change should not matter. I will for sure put new wires on this winter if we don't resolve this another way. thanks.
     
    #4
  5. Mike Canter

    Mike Canter Top Dragster
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2004
    Messages:
    4,630
    Likes Received:
    189
    Plug wires can ohm out as ok but the insulation breaks down and the high voltage leaks out causing interference, crossfire and misses.
     
    #5
  6. Kramer Metal Fab Inc.

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2008
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    6
    Mike about how many runs would you consider before this might be happening?
     
    #6
  7. Nasa6173

    Nasa6173 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2014
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    1
    Invest in a stack tach, There is too much electrical interference"noise" coming of that mag . We had the same issue . Stack tach is impervious to electrical noise is shock mounted and really easy to setup, and change shift points.
     
    #7
  8. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2003
    Messages:
    6,706
    Likes Received:
    132
    When is the last time you changed the tach battery? Had the same thing happen a few years back at a race with a Pro Mag 44. Tach battery couldn't handle the load. But we didn't see any RF type of spikes anywhere in the data logger.

    Have you changed coil wire lately? It has 8 times the 'runs' on it as the cylinder wires. I would definitely invest in a new set of wires. If that ends up being the culprit, could cause a lot more damage than just a bad tach signal if it's putting out that much RF.
     
    #8
  9. Kramer Metal Fab Inc.

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2008
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    6
    Thanks for the input. I did put a new coil wire on beginning of this year. Tach runs off car battery, Makita tool battery set up.. New battery also this year. I did not replace plug wires but this issue started with the first run of this year and worked perfect last run of last year. Plug wires had 25 runs beginning of this year.
     
    #9
  10. turboDrag

    turboDrag Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2009
    Messages:
    72
    Likes Received:
    0
    For your tach issue...look at FIE webpage for tech article on build your own rev limiter using the HD FIE relay.It talks about using another crank trigger sheilded pick up straight to your tacho for a clean signal.some info in the article about how to do it.this should solve your tach problem and give you rock solid signal without interferance.
     
    #10
  11. Kramer Metal Fab Inc.

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2008
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    6
    Turbo. I have been in contact with spud he sent me a wiring diagram and I am going to try to eliminate the signal converter and try using the Crank trigger for the rev limiter to pick up a signal. Would love to get all those other wires from the signal converter off the car. I just rewired it today. Thanks!
     
    #11
  12. turbo69camaro

    turbo69camaro Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2007
    Messages:
    250
    Likes Received:
    10
    i ran a SM5 years ago i ran a inductive pick up off the coil wire for the tach
     
    #12
  13. turboDrag

    turboDrag Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2009
    Messages:
    72
    Likes Received:
    0
    The problem using a pick up of the coil is when you are on the limiter you loose the signal.By using a crank trigger pick up straight to the tacho it will work even when using 2step or 3step limiters.The tacho signal is not turning on and off with your spark.
     
    #13

Share This Page