[C320-list] Tach running high

[Wandering Star]

I’ve had this happen in two separate instances. The first is that the tach started bouncing around and that was a signal to me that the alternator belt was wearing out and not tight enough.  The tach could not get a good read.  The second is that the tach remembers the last RPM based upon some sort of a relay. I wish I knew the proper terms, but I don’t. The needle on my tack will often times sit higher at rest because that’s what the gauge remembers based upon the last relay.  I’m looking forward to the multitude of you who will respond and adequately explain what I am trying to say.   :<
Sara
2000/#707

> On May 30, 2024, at 7:20 PM, Jeff Smith via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> I don’t know if this helps, but my non-functioning tach was the first sign
> that my alternator was going bad/was bad. Or, I should say, first sign I
> noticed. Since we were day sailing a lot, we were not relying on the alt to
> charge the batteries. It wasn’t until we stayed overnight in the hook that
> we realized the alt was not charging (hot swapped a starting battery from
> another boat to get us started and home).
> 
> You may check voltage from the back of the alt to see if it is charging. I
> would expect no reading if the alt is bad,  but I have been wrong many
> times before.
> 
> FWIW,
> Jeff
> #121
> 
>> On Thu, May 30, 2024 at 5:09 PM Michael Leschisin via C320-list <
>> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hey all,
>> 
>> I splashed the boat a couple of weeks ago and noticed that the tachometer
>> is reading a consistent 2000rpm at idle.  The engine sounds the same so I
>> don’t believe the actual idle speed has changed,  just the tach.  I know
>> there have been some threads in the past regarding the signal being sent
>> from the alternator but has any one had a similar issue and any advise on
>> where to start troubleshooting the problem?
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Michael Leschisin
>> Wild Blue Yonder
>> C320 995