Tachometer - motor test station

[oz10k]

A few years ago I bought a tach:



But I ended-up not using it much because it was awkward connecting a motor and holding everything in place while taking readings. I finally decided to build a simple test station and wondered how to secure the motor. Well, it turns out I had just bought some mouse traps, and pieces from one worked just fine:



Ron

[chrisguyw]

Good job Ron..!!..........what does you Monogram X-100 16D motor tach out at ??

Cheers
Chris Walker

[Barc 1]

I use my phone app now, and never use my tach anymore. Sometimes the app is a little glitchy, but generally does OK.

I like your mouse trap idea.

Cheers
Dan

[oz10k]

I use a small regulated supply I built that's set for 5.5V. At that voltage it's tuning at 10,600 RPM.

I know for a brief period running no-load at 12V would be OK. But I worry less using a lower voltage, and it's all I need to grade my motors.

[oz10k]

Hi Dan. A tachometer phone app, I didn't know that existed! That's pretty cool.

[Barc 1]

Yes it is a fee download. I think it is called Giri. Most times it will read a good approximate, but it also spikes a lot and it puts some doubt on it’s accuracy. Ie it will give you multiple readings.. Throw out the low, throw out the high and you are left with something close is what I have found.

[RichD]

I believe that the Giri app uses sound to determine the RPMs. It has been reported that the readings are usually accurate. I have a non-contact digital tach similar to the one shown above. The tach came with little reflective stickers. Sometimes a tach will read a multiple of the actual speed. That is less likely to be a problem if you use two stickers that are 180 degrees apart and divide the reading by two. A motor that is working properly should have a linear speed VS voltage response, so a motor that turns 10K RPMs at 6 volts should turn 20K RPMs at 12 volts. I like to break motors in on the bench and measure the RPMs at 12 volts.

[Slot Car Corner]

Is this the proverbial "better mousetrap"?? On a more serious note, very clever design.

[Jules]

Kids left home and left the Lego behind? Time for the Lego Police Motor Testing Station.

Jules

[PetesLightKits]

Brilliant!!!