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[Healeys] Smiths Tach Conversion

Subject: [Healeys] Smiths Tach Conversion
From: warthodson at aol.com (warthodson at aol.com)
Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:00:59 -0400
Recently, we have been told by Nisonger that that Smiths electronic tachs may
malfunction when connected to a distributor using a Pertronix ignition. This
problem is separate from the problem associated with switching polarity. If
you have been expriencing problems, even though you had your tach rebuilt &/or
converted to neg. ground & you are using a Pertronix, this may be part of the
the issue. See correspondence below. Has anyone heard about this?
Gary Hodson

http://www.nisonger.com/electric-tachometer-conversions.htm


In spite of comments to the contrary made by Pertronix and several other
Electronic Ignition manufacturers,  Smiths Tachs produced prior to 2001 were
not designed for use with Electronic Ignition systems. When used in
conjunction with an Electronic Ignition, they will either:
Provide an inaccurate reading.
Provide an erratic reading.
Show double the engine speed.

The converted Tachs eliminate these problems and can be used with either an
electronic or points ignition system. The cost of the conversion is $275 plus
shipping; just like our rebuilds, the converted Tachs are guaranteed for 1
year.

Thank you for your inquiry.

Peter Bayer

From: warthodson at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 11:09 AM
To: info at nisonger.com
I had my Smiths Tach (Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII) converted to negative ground
by you a few years ago & I am using a Pertronix ignition in my distributor. I
see from you website that this arrangement/combination may not function
properly. Could you please tell me what issues I might experience with this
setup? It currently seems to be operating  however I do not know if the RPM
reading is accurate or not. Also, I recently noticed that on a long drive the
indicated RPM seemed to read lower over time at a constant speed. Is this
related to the setup I am running or an indication of some other problem?

Thanks,

Gary Hodson

>From Nisonger web site:
"In recent years, an ever increasing number of British car owners have been
updating their cars with electronic ignitions. Unfortunately, the Smiths &
British Jaeger RV Series "Loop Tachs" used in many of these vehicles are not
truly compatible with any electronic ignition systems. To resolve this
problem, Nisonger has developed new circuitry that eliminates the Loop
Assembly and allows these Tachometers to be used with virtually any electronic
or points ignition systems without changing the outward appearance of the
original equipment Tachometer. As is the case with all of Nisonger's rebuilds,
the converted Tachometer is guaranteed for 1 year."



In spite of comments to the contrary made by Pertronix and several other
Electronic Ignition manufacturers,  Smiths Tachs produced prior to 2001 were
not designed for use with Electronic Ignition systems. When used in
conjunction with an Electronic Ignition, they will either:
Provide an inaccurate reading.
Provide an erratic reading.
Show double the engine speed.

The converted Tachs eliminate these problems and can be used with either an
electronic or points ignition system. The cost of the conversion is $275 plus
shipping; just like our rebuilds, the converted Tachs are guaranteed for 1
year.

Thank you for your inquiry.

Peter Bayer

From: warthodson at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 11:09 AM
To: info at nisonger.com
I had my Smiths Tach (Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII) converted to negative ground
by you a few years ago & I am using a Pertronix ignition in my distributor. I
see from you website that this arrangement/combination may not function
properly. Could you please tell me what issues I might experience with this
setup? It currently seems to be operating  however I do not know if the RPM
reading is accurate or not. Also, I recently noticed that on a long drive the
indicated RPM seemed to read lower over time at a constant speed. Is this
related to the setup I am running or an indication of some other problem?

Thanks,

Gary Hodson

>From Nisonger web site:
"In recent years, an ever increasing number of British car owners have been
updating their cars with electronic ignitions. Unfortunately, the Smiths &
British Jaeger RV Series "Loop Tachs" used in many of these vehicles are not
truly compatible with any electronic ignition systems. To resolve this
problem, Nisonger has developed new circuitry that eliminates the Loop
Assembly and allows these Tachometers to be used with virtually any electronic
or points ignition systems without changing the outward appearance of the
original equipment Tachometer. As is the case with all of Nisonger's rebuilds,
the converted Tachometer is guaranteed for 1 year."

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