Tachometer Support

How to change the settings (pole, stroke, trim lead) on my EmTac Tachometer

To change pole, stroke, and trim lead number simultaneously press and hold the set and mode buttons until the display changes to enter setup.

Short press the set button to move between pole, stroke, and trim lead settings which will be indicated by 1, 2, or 3 on the hour meter.

Short press the mode button to select options within each of the three menus.

The options for pole (1), stroke (2), and trim lead (3) will all be shown by their actual number on the RPM number digits. (ex. Tach RPM line reads 12 and hour line reads 1 this means that 12 pole is currently selected).

To save and exit settings, once again simultaneously press and hold the set and mode button until the display changes.

How to change/use the hours display

The mode button allows the user to scroll through the following options on the hours display: total hours, trip hours, current voltage, and no display.

Only on the trip hours display can the hour meter be reset to zero by holding the set button. 

Common issues and FAQs

Trim not working: 

The most common issue that causes this is incorrect trim lead settings, try inputting correct settings or try both if you are unsure which yours is. 

The second most common issue is incorrect wiring setup. The trim wires are in the 4-pin connector with the pink wire. There are some different wire colors depending on the motor year but pink is always trim signal and should always be conncted to another pink wire. If there is a mismatch with the pink wires then you either need to add or remove the wiring adapter that comes with the gauge. 

RPM is reading double or half:

This means you have not set or have set the incorrect setting for pole number. Most people do not know the pole count of their motor, however there are only two options. Try between the two options until the RPM read around 700 RPM at idle. 

RPM is erratic or irrational:

This behavior is extremely rare. It is most frequently seen at high RPM. If your old gauge did not exhibit this behavior then it is most likely that moisture or debris was present in the green or black bullet connectors when the tachometer was installed. Try cleaning and drying the contacts for these connectors. If this does not fix the issue then also check for wiring issues with the black/white wire.

If your old gauge also exhibited this behavior then it is recommended to replace the female bullet connectors on both the green and black wires. 

What hole size is required for installation?

A 3-3/8" hole is used for installation. 

How should I wire the gauge?

Wiring should be as simple as matching the wire colors from your harness and control to the wire colors on the gauge.

2005 model years (2004 manufacture dates) and newer will only have one 4-pin connector while the tach has two 4-pin connectors. In this case be sure to use the adapter so that the two connectors from the tach plug into the single connector from the motor. Note the wire colors used in the adapter will not match either the tach or motor wire colors. 

I don't have any 4-pin connectors at my helm:

This most likely means you are missing the harness that runs from the engine to the helm. This harness is commonly referred to as the "trim and oil harness". It comes in several lengths and styles, be sure to get the correct one for your motor. Be sure to check under the cowling of your motor for the 4-pin connector(s) to confirm there is no harness.

Many smaller motors will not have this capability at all and will not have the connector at the motor. 

Wire functions common to all motors:

Pink is trim signal

Black and black/white are ground

Yellow is switched key power (+12V)

Green is RPM signal

Blue is backlight power (+12V) 

Orange is trim power only for 3 wire trim senders (older motors)

How to enter self-diagnostic mode

***Note, diagnostic mode is not required for initial setup and the wiring shown here is entirely different from install wiring. Diagnostic mode is meant to be used when you are having issues with the guage and want to daignose whether the issue is with the gauge or with your motor/harness. ***

Connections 

  1. Connect the 4 pin harnesses to each other
  2. Connect the green, yellow, and blue bullet connectors to 12v power
  3. Connect black bullet connector to GND

Expected behavior

    • LCD segments will display for 2 seconds each in the following order
      1. Hour display segments
      2. Oil level segments                                                       
      3. Trim level and Tach/RPM
      4. Warning segments                             
    • The back light should be on
    • The test is successful at this point if the display is showing a 1 in the RPM display and 00 in the hours display. If tach shows 0 check the tach signal wire (green).
    • A video of the expected behavior can be found here.
    • If a number other than 00 is displayed or it does not enter test mode see the list of error codes below.
    • The code version may also be viewed on the hours display while holding the set button if no errors were triggered.

Error number and connections involved

  • Does not enter test mode
      1. CEL (white/red)
      2. GND in 4 pin harness (black/white)
      3. 4 oil pressure (green/red)
      4. Trim (pink)
  • Errors 1, 5, 10
      1. 4 oil pressure
      2. Trim
  • Errors 2, 6, 11
      1. WIF (blue/white)
      2. Trim power (orange)
  • Errors 3, 7, 12
      1. CEL 
      2. GND in 4 pin harness
  • Errors 4, 8, 9
      1. 4 OH (gray)
      2. 2 oil full (green/white)

Still having problems? Contact us!