It might seem like we’re on a vehicle hacking kick this weekend, but [Rex] built an excellent custom digital tach for his race car. It uses the classic seven segment displays, a PICAXE microcontroller and works with most engines. He’s released full source and PC board designs to boot. This looks like a great little tachometer project for you microcontoller fiends out there.
7 thoughts on “Picaxe Tachometer”
Leave a Reply
Please be kind and respectful to help make the comments section excellent. (Comment Policy)
If anyone has a good resource that describes how to ‘condition’ the output on the coil and the a pulse counting input on a tachometer/rev-counter (basically, take the huge voltage spike when the field around the coil collapses and do something to it to make sure it doesn’t destroy the more sensitive parts of the circuit) – I’d be interested to hear from you!
I’ve seen a lot in tech-notes for the LM2917 but had never managed to get them to work using that chip.
Thanks in advance :)
in fact, You just use a high value resistor to limit the curent. this is conected to a Zener-diode, to limit the voltage, and this connects to some comparator and you have a very decent pulse for you µC..
I’m surprised the picaxe was quick enough for this, I gave up using them due to slow processing speeds and a fairly poor BASIC implementation.
Ha, awesome project
i did something similar for my school’s FSAE team (vid)
http://www.mit.edu/~kouttron/tach2.AVI
i will document it at a later date
-Dane
Attn: Manager
Subject: Proposal for equipments, Due on 13.06.2008
for the supply of:
1. Portable 3 Phase Balanced Power Analyser, Qty = 02 Nos
2. Portable Flue Gas Analyzer, Qty 01 No
3. Infra-red Thermometer, Qty = 01 No
4. Digital Lux Meter, Qty = 01 No
5. Digital Anemomter, Qty 01 No
6. Digital Hygrometer, Qty = 01 No
7. Tachometer, Qty = 01 No
8. Pilot tube & Manometer, Qty = 01 No
9. Ultrasonic Air Leak Detector, Qty = 01 No
DETAIL SPECIFICATION IS AS UNDER:
1. PORTABLE 3 PHASE BALANCED POWER ANALYSER (Qty.02)
Features
⢠Large Colour LCD screen for graphical menu-driven display
⢠Continuous cycle by cycle measurement of both current and voltage @ 256 samples/cycle â for accurate and dependable measurements even on non-linear loads
⢠Suitable for 1-Phase & balanced 3-Phase loads
⢠Wide choice of clamp-on CTs to measure currents from 100mA to 3000A – Options include 5/100A CT; 1000A CT; 3000A Amp flex CT; 1000Aac/1400Adc CT
⢠Motor inrush current recording
⢠Harmonics Export/Import and sequence information
⢠1.5 MB memory capacity with programmable interval of data collection from 1sec to 15min
⢠Recorded data can be viewed as trends on the meter screen for quick analysis on the field minimizing dependence on PC/Laptop; Zoom-in/ Zoom-out facility for better resolution enabling in-depth analysis
⢠8 screens (waveforms, vector diagrams, data, etc..) can be stored – can be either viewed on meter or downloaded to PC
⢠Different parameters can be recorded under 4 user-defined configurations; Multiple record sessions can be carried out without deleting data
⢠RSâ232 serial port for communication and data transfer to a PC. Software part of the kit.
⢠8-40 hours battery back-up (depending on screen mode) for un-interrupted field studies.
2. PORTABLE FLUE GAS ANALYZER (Qty.01)
O2 = 0 to 25%
CO = 0 to 10000 ppm
CO2 = 0 to 20% (calculated)
NO = 0 to 5000 ppm
NO2 = 0 to 1000 ppm
SO2 = 0 to 5000 ppm
Temperature = 0 to 1300 oC
Excess air & Combustion Efficiency.
Sampling probe 100 cm long with 3 meter long sampling hose.
Optional:
a) Pressure sensor Range : ±150 mbar and other optional accessories.
3. INFRA-RED THERMOMETER (Qty.01)
Technical specifications
Temperature range : 538 to 2482 oC
Optical resolution : 110:1
Accuracy : ± 1% of reading or 2 oC
Display accuracy : ± 1% of reading
Repeatability : ± 0.5% of reading
Temp. display : oC or oF (selectable)
Analogue output resolution : 1 oC / 1 oF
Emissivity : 0.1 to 1 adjustable
Ambient operating temp. : 0 to 55 oC
Response time : 250 m sec.
Relative Humidity : 10 to 95%
Power supply : Rechargeable
1 mV / Degree analogue output standard RS-232 output
Data storage upto 100 readings.
Alarm : High and low standard, with audible and visual indication
4. DIGITAL LUX METER (Qty.01)
Technical specifications
Lux Range : 20, 200, 2000, 20000 0.01 Lux ± 3% of rdg.
FC Range : 20, 200, 2000, 20000 0.01 Fc ± 3% of rdg.
Temperature characteristics: ± 0.1%/°C
Relative Humidity : 10 to 95%
Power supply: Rechargeable
Storage temperature: 0 to 60 oC
5. DIGITAL ANEMOMETER (Qty.01)
Application: Measurement of Air, gas velocity
Parameters measured: Velocity
Vane anemometer from 0.20 to 35 m/s, -20 to +80°c
Hotwire anemometer from 0.00 to 30 m/s, -20 to +80°c
Airflow function (in duct or with cones)
Output for printer and pc connection
Power supply: Rechargeable
Storage/ temperature: 0 to 60 oC
6. DIGITAL HYGROMETER (Qty.01)
Relative humidity from 5 to 95%RH and from 3 to 98%RH
Ambient, wet and dry temperature from -20 to +80°C
Absolute humidity, dew point, surface and ambient
Output for printer and PC connection
Power supply: Rechargeable
Storage temperature: 0 to 60 oC
7. TACHOMETER (Qty.01)
Range from 60 to 50,000 RPM and 4 to 2500 m/min
Optical or contact probe
Power supply: Rechargeable
Storage temperature: 0 to 60 oC
8. PILOT TUBE & MANOMETER (Qty.01)
9. ULTRASONIC AIR LEAK DETECTOR (Qty.01)
Dear Sir,
We would highly appreciate if you kindly send us by e-mail your most competitive proposal along with all relevant documents on the above subject. We need following information/documents from you for the subject inquiry. Kindly advise /quote/ indicate your prices with and without sound proof canopy.
1. C&F, LAHORE, PAKISTAN, BY AIR PRICE IN US$
2. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
3. SHORTEST DELIEVRY PERIOD?
4. VALIDITY OF PRICE 120 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF YOUR PROPOSAL DATE
5. TECHNICAL DATA/DRAWING/TEST REPORT/REFERENCE LIST (LOCAL & EXPORT SALES RECORD)/SATISFACTION LETTER FROM CLIENTS/ISO AND OTHER CERTIFICATES/MANUFACTURE & SUPPLIER COMPANY PROFILE ETC
6. NAME OF PORT OF SHIPMENT/SIZE/WEIGHT/PACKING ETC
7. WARRANTEE AND GUARANTEE CERTIFICATES ETC
8. INSPECTION PROCEDURE?
9. NAME OF BANK/SWIFT CODE/ADDRESS/FAX/TELEPHONE/E-MAIL/WEBSITE/NAME OF OCNTACT PERSON/MOBILE PHONE NUMBER/ACCOUNT NUMBER ETC FOR OPENING THE L/C OR TT
10. YOUR PAYMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
11. PLEASE ADD OUR 10% COMISSION IN YOUR PROPOSAL ONLY CONFIRM BY E-MAIL (khmraza@hotmail.com or kmr19161@gmail.com) DONâT MENTION IN YOUR PROFOMA INVOICE/PROPOSAL OR COVERING LETTER. THANKS IN ADVANCE.
12. NO NEED FOR BID BOND AND PERFORMANCE BOND. ONLY REQUIRE WARANTEE AND GURANTEE FROM MANUFACTURES/SUPPLIERS.
13. KINDLY PREPARE THE PROPOSAL IN THE NAME OF:-
MANAGER A&F/HR
NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY ORGANIZATION (NPO)
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRIES AND PRODUCTION
4TH FLOOR, ICCI BUILDING,
G-8/1, ISLAMABAD,
PAKISTAN.
Kindly advise your company complete name/address/fax/telephone/e-mail/website/ name of contact person/mobile phone number etc for our record also send us by courier your complete original catalogs and your company CD for our reference.
Your immediate response will be highly appreciated. Matter most urgent.
Best Regards
Monem Raza
Managing Director
Al-Waseh International Co, 348-A, Johar Town, Lahore-54770, Pakistan
Fax: 92 42 5200249 Tel: 92 42 5174345/5173601 Mobile: 92 300 8425636
E-mail: kmr19161@gmail.com / khmraza@hotmail.com
Please contact Makkays being sole distributor of Fluke.
051 111 100 800
Link down…