How do I measure Engine Speed?

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Go-Rebels

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• Aug 31, 2019 / How do I measure Engine Speed?

• #1

Is there a technique to measure engine speed (RPM) on single cylinder engines in general? I don’t want anything permanent; I only want to know if I’m reaching maximum spec’d speed.

 

Scrubcadet10

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• Aug 31, 2019 / How do I measure Engine Speed?

• #2

only if you have a tachometer, most engines are governed around 3200 to 3600 RPM.
they do make digital tachs like these https://www.amazon.com/digital-laser-tachometer/s?k=digital+laser+tachometer. but I have never used one.

 

tom3

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• Aug 31, 2019 / How do I measure Engine Speed?

• #3

I bought a little "laser" tachometer from Harbor Freight for about $20 or so, works fine for stuff like this. Uses an LED that you shine on a rotating piece with a small strip of shiny foil or tape on it to give it a pulse to measure.