Globee tach, good or garbage?  
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All Forums >> Glow Engines, Gas Engines, Fuel & Mfg Support Forums >> Tachometer Readings >> Globee tach, good or garbage?
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Globee tach, good or garbage? - 10/29/2002 10:31:24 PM   
Wormy J



Posts: 77
Joined: 6/23/2002
From: Snoqualmie, WA, USA
Status: offline 		I have had a Globee tach for over a year now but hardly use it. It is very difficult to obtain a good reading with it. I have tried into the sun, away from the sun, black props, grey props, wood props etc with the same results. Is it just a bad design and they all are not very reliable or was mine made on friday afternoon before a three day weekend?

I have had many tachs and never had any problems like this. One of the main reasons I bought this one is the fact that it uses cheep 9v batteries in lieu of the smaller watch style ones $$$.
Thanks,
Jeremy
       Post #: 1

Sad - 10/30/2002 2:59:42 AM   
bob_nj


 

Posts: 3509
Joined: 12/3/2001
From: Vineland, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		I'm not familiar with that design. Can you post a picture or website or something? Is it that you can't see the readout?
There is a way to test the accuracy using a flourescent light. Let me know_bob

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 2

Globee tach, good or garbage? - 10/30/2002 12:45:47 PM   
Wormy J



Posts: 77
Joined: 6/23/2002
From: Snoqualmie, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Here it is at Tower:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?Q=1&I=LH3731&P=1

It just does not have a very stable reading when used to measure prop RPM. Jumps by +/-200 to +/-4000 RPM, yes 4000.

Calbrates just fine at 3600, solid as could be.

(spelling corrected!!!!!)

< Message edited by Wormy J -- Oct 30 2002 11:05PM >

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 3

Are you saying - 10/31/2002 2:45:56 AM   
bob_nj


 

Posts: 3509
Joined: 12/3/2001
From: Vineland, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		That it does, or doesn't have a stable reading?

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 4

Globee tach, good or garbage? - 10/31/2002 6:48:36 PM   
SMALLFLY-



Posts: 2151
Joined: 12/9/2001
From: Evansville, IN, USA
Status: offline 		I dont use mine a lot either but I find it very effective and accurate IF held toward the center of the prop arc. If held out at the tips it jumps all over the place

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 5

me too - 11/1/2002 10:03:12 AM   
buckeyes1997



Posts: 127
Joined: 2/16/2002
From: columbus, OH, USA
Status: offline 		i also have a globee and it jumps all over the place. i thought it was just me. i might send it back then. i will not pay for junk.

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 6

Globee tach, good or garbage? - 11/1/2002 11:34:28 AM   
Wormy J



Posts: 77
Joined: 6/23/2002
From: Snoqualmie, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Thats what I was wondering. I don't want to send it back and just get another one that does the same. I looks and feels so nice, too bad it does not work as good as it looks. Any one else out there have any comments on this tach?

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 7

Globee tach, good or garbage? - 11/3/2002 9:10:27 AM   
JimTrainor


 

Posts: 1308
Joined: 10/25/2002
From: Ontario, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		I have a Hanger 9 tach. On overcast days it doesn't work well.
The measurement jumps all over the place. With one small prop (a 9x6 on an OS46FX) it refused to provide any reading. I have also had problems in the past when using wooden props (versus APC nylon props).

Today I illuminated the prop with a flash light from behind, then
measured the RPM also from behind. All readings were very steady, even the small 9x6 prop. Actually, the tach has never worked better that it did today with the illuminated prop.

I used a rather large flash light, but I suspect that even a tiny flash light (e.g. the single AA battery type) would be sufficient.

I have read at least one similar account of using a flash light with a tachometer. Search the lists you may find it.


It makes sense... you won't get a strong signal without some reflected light.

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 8

Globee tach, good or garbage? - 11/3/2002 10:34:39 AM   
Wormy J



Posts: 77
Joined: 6/23/2002
From: Snoqualmie, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Jim thanks for the tips.

I am just dissapointed that with todays modern technology the tachs seem to be worst that ones made 15 - 20 years ago. My friend had an old Heathkit one that worked great and I had an anolog one made by Royal. Both worked flawlessly. I think we both paid less than five bucks at swap meets for them. I remember that after 5-7 years use I sold mine for a lot more that I paid for it. Boy was I stupid!

So are there any tachs out there that work well? (That are still made)

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 9

Happy with my tach... - 11/4/2002 11:37:34 AM   
strato911



Posts: 1479
Joined: 9/17/2002
From: Winnipeg, MB, CANADA
Status: offline 		I have the Tower Hobbies special... uses 2 standard AAA batteries, and gives me rock solid readings in a wide variety of lighting conditions. I even used it once a few minutes after sunset (but still light enough to read the LCD). It doesn't do 4 bladed props, but if you have one, just use the 2 blade reading and divide by 2.

And it's only $21.99.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p.pgm?Q=1&I=LXPT31&P=1


"In the event the readings become erratic, change the direction of the model is facing by 90 degrees and take another reading."

The prop should pass between the light source and the tach. It measures the interuptions, not the reflections.


_____________________________

I try to learn from other people's mistakes...
I won't live long enough to make them all myself.

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       Post #: 10

Globee tach, good or garbage? - 11/4/2002 3:28:19 PM   
Glitch


 

Posts: 105
Joined: 10/22/2002
From: Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		Help.......
Have a tach called "Advanced Digital Tachometer Voltmeter"
Model 602-1.
Operated by pushing a button repeatedly, which cycles the tach thru 2,3,4 blade props then 4.8 and 9.6 V.
2 problems, on first selection, every 'bar' on the display partly lights up and its hard to see the reading. The other problem is it eats 9 V batteries, I thought it may be 'bumping' itself on in the flight box, so now I disconnect the battery when not in use. Any ideas ?
Thank you

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       Post #: 11

Possible suggestion - 11/5/2002 9:33:19 AM   
strato911



Posts: 1479
Joined: 9/17/2002
From: Winnipeg, MB, CANADA
Status: offline 		Have you tried gluing on a small, raised ring of plastic around the button to protect it from accidentaly being pushed?
It won't help make the display easier to read though... Perhaps a tinted plastic cover over the display, with a stiff hinge so it swings into a position to cut the glare???


_____________________________

I try to learn from other people's mistakes...
I won't live long enough to make them all myself.

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 12

Globee tach, good or garbage? - 11/5/2002 1:46:41 PM   
Glitch


 

Posts: 105
Joined: 10/22/2002
From: Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		To Strato 911.
Thanks Dennis, your 2 suggestions instantly fixed both problems.
Regards from down under.
G.

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 13

Globee tach, good or garbage? - 11/6/2002 12:04:43 AM   
strato911



Posts: 1479
Joined: 9/17/2002
From: Winnipeg, MB, CANADA
Status: offline 		I'm always glad to hear my rantings have helped someone... check my sig.


_____________________________

I try to learn from other people's mistakes...
I won't live long enough to make them all myself.

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 14

Glowbee tach - 11/6/2002 8:40:21 AM   
Rambo-RCU


 

Posts: 205
Joined: 10/29/2002
From: Flatwoods, KY, USA
Status: offline 		Here I thought it was just me not using my glowbee correctly. I will try just reading from the center of prop if that does'nt work it's history.

(in reply to Wormy J)
       Post #: 15