General Technologies TA100 User Manual

User’s Handbook

T A10 0

SmarTach+

Tachometer and Ignition Analyzer

Table of contents.

1. Safety Rules Page 1

2. Technical Specications Page 2

2.1 General specications Page 2

2.2 Electrical specications Page 2

3. Operation Page 3

3.1 Instrument description Page 3

3.2 LCD Display Page 3

3.3 Buttons description and operation Page 4

3.4 Measurement procedures Page 5

3.5 Additional functions Page 6

4. Application information Page 7

4.1 Single cylinder RPM measurement Page 7

4.2 Wireless RPM measurement Page 8

4.3 Spark plug wire peak voltage measurement Page 8

5. Maintenance Page 10

5.1 Battery replacement Page 10

5.2 Cleaning Page 10

6. Warranty Page 10

2. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

2.1 General Specications

Display: LCD 4½ digit main measurement, 2 x 3½ digit for maximum and

minimum measurements, indicators for low battery, number of
cycles, number of cylinders, functions and units.

Update rate: 3 per second (for LCD).

Ignition system comp.: Conventional, magneto or DIS.

Engine cycles: 2 and 4 cycles and DIS.

Number of cylinders: 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,10 and 12.

Spark plug wire: Up to 9 mm diameter.

Power: 9 Volt battery, type MN1604.

Auto power off: Automatically powers off after 1 minute of no operation.

Battery life: Approximately 25 hours (with alkaline battery).

Probe length: 8” (20 cm) including capacitive pickup.

Dimensions: 6” x 4” x 1.5” (158 x 100 x 37 mm) excluding probe.

Weight: Approximately. 14 Oz. or 406 g. (Including battery).

Included accessories: Padded hard carrying case, user’s manual, rubber holster and

1 x 9 Volt alkaline battery.

1. SAFETY RULES

This instrument is designed for indoor use at temperatures between 32° and 104° F

•

(0°C and 40°C) and altitudes up to 6500 ft. (2,000 meters).

To ensure that the instrument is used safely, follow all safety and operating instructions

•

in this operation manual. If the instrument is not used as described in this operation
manual, the safety features of this instrument may be impaired.

Do not use the instrument if the instrument, the capacitive pickup or the exible probe

•

looks damaged, or if you suspect that the instrument is not operating properly.

When using the instrument, keep away from moving parts (fan, drive belts, etc) and

•

hot objects (exhaust pipes, mufer , catalytic converter, etc), to avoid personal injuries
and damage to the instrument, the capacitive pickup or the exible probe.

Do not connect or apply more than 42 VDC or any AC current directly to the capacitive

•

pickup or the exible probe.

At all times, to avoid electrical shock, use CAUTION when working with electrical

•

circuits above 60V DC or 25V AC rms. Such voltages pose a shock hazard.

Do not operate this instrument without the holster or the battery cover off.

•

To avoid electrical shock or damage to the instrument, do not exceed the specied

•

input limits.

Exceeding the limits listed above when using this apparatus, or not observing
the precautions listed above can expose you to physical injury and permanently
damage your instrument and/or parts and components of the vehicle under test.

“SmarTach+”, “V Ready” and “GTC” are registered trademarks of General Technologies Corp.

2.2 Electrical Specications

The specications below are typical at 23° C, and will vary slightly from device to device,

•

and with temperature. The input voltage should not exceed the indicated maximum
values, to prevent personal injury or damage to the instrument.

3. OPERATION

Function Measurement

Tachometer

Spark plug wire

peak voltage

KV Adjust

Range

200 to 19999 RPM
2 and 4 cycles and DIS
1,2,3,4,5,6,8,10 and 12

cylinders

0 to 50 kVot Repetitivity: 3% ± 1 LSD

KV scale adjustable

between 20 and 200%

Accuracy/Repetitivity Input

Characteristics

Accuracy: 0.1% ± 1 LSD

Input Impedance:

2 MΩ minimum +

1.6 nF (Max).

Input Protection:

± 42 VDC Max.

Default value: 100%

Page 2

3.1 Instrument Description

1) Capacitive pickup

2) Flexible probe

3) Protective rubber holster

4) LCD Display

5) Power ON/OFF / Reset button

6) Cylinders Increase button

7) Engine Cycles / KV Adjust select button

8) Cylinders Decrease button

9) Function select button

Fig. 1 - Instrument description

1

3

Cycles

Cylinders

MAX

MIN

Peak

5

7
9

3.2 LCD Display

3.2.1 LCD Display description

Number of cycles

Low battery indicator

Spark detected

Measurement reading

Cycles

MAX

MIN

Cylinders

Peak

Fig. 2 - LCD Display

Low battery indicator

• This message warns the battery voltage is below the minimum recommended and it

needs to be replaced with a new battery.

• If the battery voltage is low, but still allows for the operation of the instrument, the low

battery indicator will turn and stay on until the battery is replaced with a new one.

Note: If the unit turns off immediately after being turned on, it indicates the battery
voltage is below the absolute minimum, and the battery should be replaced to prevent
malfunction.

MAX - Maximum reading

• Hold and displays the maximum value of the measurements, with the last digit rounded to ‘0’.

The maximum measurement is automatically reset when turning the unit off or manually by
momentarily pressing the ‘Power On/Off / Reset’ button.

Number of cylinders

Maximum reading

Minimum reading

Function with

measurement units

MIN - Minimum reading

• Hold and displays the minimum value of the measurements, with the last digit rounded

to ‘0’. The minimum value is automatically reset when turning the unit off or manually
by momentarily pressing the ‘Power On/Off / Reset’ button.

Spark Detected

2

• A ashing high voltage symbol ‘ ‘ indicates that sparks are being detected in the ignition

system.

Number of Cycles

• Displays the selected number of cycles: 2, 4 or DIS (Distributor-less or waste spark

ignition system)

Number of Cylinders

4

• Displays the selected number of cylinders: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12

Function with measurement units

6

8

• The selected function with the measurement unit are displayed as follows:

Display Function Measurement units

RPM Tachometer RPM (Revolutions per minute)

Peak KVolt Spark plug wire peak voltage KVolt ( 1000 x Volt)

Measurement reading

• Displays the measurement of the selected function.

3.3 Buttons description and operation

3.3.1 Power ON/OFF and Reset

• When the instrument is OFF, to turn it ON press the ‘Power ON/OFF / Reset’

button until the unit turns on (in approximately 1 second).

• When the instrument is ON, to turn it OFF press and hold the ‘Power ON/OFF

/ Reset’ button until the display turns off (in approximately 3 seconds).

• When the instrument is ON, press momentarily the ‘Power ON/OFF / Reset’

button to reset the maximum and minimum values.

Note: To extend battery life, the TA100 will automatically turn off after 1 minute of being

idle (i.e. no button pressed and no input signal). Turning the unit off manually,
when not in use will prolong battery life.

3.3.2 Number of cycles / KV Adjust

• Press the ‘Engine Cycles / KV Adjust’ button to select the number of cycles for

the engine under measurement. Each time the button is pressed the number
of cycles will change between 2 cycles, 4 cycles, and DIS settings. The
selected setting will show on the display.

• Press and hold the ‘Engine Cycles / KV Adjust’ button for a few seconds to

switch the instrument to KV Adjust mode.

3.3.3 Function Select

• Press the ‘Function Select’ button to select the measurement function. Each

time the button is pressed the measurement function will change between RPM
(Tachometer) and Peak KVolt (Spark plug wire peak voltage). The selected
setting will be shown on the display.

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