Aetna Engineering Digital Tachs

[BRBSTA]

I am installing a set of these in my 460da has anybody fabricated an aluminum or stainless bezel to go from 3.5in to a 5 inch factory tach. cutout

If anybody has any pictures of their install I would love to see them

Thanks Ron

 

[Jaws]

Here is the method that I used for my Aetna tachs. I decided that I liked the look of the Sea Ray OEM instruments so I put the smaller Aetna ones in a secondary location. Turns out that they're not in the way at all. It's a compromise but I keep my original hourmeters this way as well.
James

 

[fc3]

I think there's a guy here who made up some stainless trim rings. They were like only $50, I think.

 

[920richardf]

I have a set you are welcome to. Had Vector make a custom panel and no longer have use for them. Send me a PM.

 

[fwebster]

Having your panels re-made to fit the correct cut out is a much better approach, and the gauge panel isn't a big deal to change out:

 

[Pietro]

Frank, is that a Rolex in your wheel??? :grin::grin::grin: :smt038

These are my Aetnas:

 

[fwebster]

Nope........I turned a center out of Mahogany to match the steering wheel and fit an inexpensive clock in it. I've always questioned why Sea Ray doesn't put clocks at the helm, so I fixed it.

 

[BRBSTA]

Frank or anybody who has any experience with new panels who would you use to cut the new dash panel.

Thanks Ron

Frank I like your clock and your helm !!

 

[fwebster]

I had a great experience with Scott Cambra @ VectorLed, an advertiser on CSR. Make your arrangements and do your follow up via telephone, not email.

 

[ktcanuck]

Frank, in particular since you have similar engines to me: Are you using the existing tach output from the alternator or did you install a new sensor to drive the digital tach? If the latter, does the Cat 3116/3126 have a flywheel cog access port already?

Keith

 

[fwebster]

Cat engines do not use an alternator signal for the tack. They have a sensor on the bell housing that counts teeth on the flywheel as it rotates. The Cat sensor is fully compatible with the Aetna tach, so the installation is just switching the tach wires from the Teleflex tachs to the Aetnas.

 

[Nehalennia]

I think there's a guy here who made up some stainless trim rings. They were like only $50, I think.

Yeah I had a few made for some friends here. I used Tice industries. I did it as a favor with a fabricator I use for my work.
Contact Scott Tice directly with your I/D and O/D for polished 316 stainless. He can quote you directly. He does great work.
scott@ticeindustries.com

 

[osd9]

The wiring is plug and play. You don't connect the blue 'backlight' wire. Tape of the end and tie it back. The tachs are internally lit from their own power.

After you make or have made the new trim rings, you will also have to make a new retaining 'U'. You can see in the pic above that I used 1" flat stock aluminum.

I used Tices for my SS trim rings. Perfect fit and look great too!!!!!

 

[BRBSTA]

The stainless steel bezels are done they turned out great I countersunk them to make them look flush I think I will Like :smt038:smt038

 

[Lake Erie Boater]

VERY nice!!

 

[Jaws]

Looks nice. Did you lose your hourmeters in the process or do you have engine mounted hourmeters? I notice that some of the other set-ups have the Aetna tachs with the hourmeter option.

 

[BRBSTA]

James i am going to mount the hour meter on the engine. I will post a pic once I get the tachs in the dash I want to get this done to dial in the re pitched props

 

[Jaws]

Thanks, I'm trying to do the same. I had Cummins do the 500 hr service this winter (incl. valve lash) so we'll take her out first thing in the spring and test the W.O.T. If you follow boatdiesel.com, they are suggesting at least 2700 as W.O.T. So, I placed the Aetna tachs last season and had the valve lash done,...so we'll see. I'm still puzzled about the props though. I'll check what I have when I visit the boat in a couple of weeks but my Owner's kit says 28X33 light cup (in reference to your other thread). Those are significantly larger than other 460DA owners that I have checked with.

James

 

[ktcanuck]

Cat engines do not use an alternator signal for the tack. They have a sensor on the bell housing that counts teeth on the flywheel as it rotates. The Cat sensor is fully compatible with the Aetna tach, so the installation is just switching the tach wires from the Teleflex tachs to the Aetnas.

My wiring diagram shows it coming from the alternator. There is a Sync module on mine. I will check the actuals when I get to the boat in a couple of weeks.

 

[BRBSTA]

James I contacted Searay and they confirmed that the 460 was delivered with 23-27 heavy cup @ 2600 RPM

I have done a lot of research with the owner of prop scan and he claims the reason why the 23-27 was used with a heavy cup was because if you go more than 4 inches of pitch over dia it becomes a special prop that cost quite a bit more for Searay

I will see and I am sure you have 23 inch props 33 would not fit in the tunnel

Cheers Ron

James would you PM me ho your 500 hour worked out what did they find and what did it cost