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RPM vs MPH, instruments

To: alpines@autox.team.net
Subject: RPM vs MPH, instruments
From: Jonathan Mies <jmies@mindspring.com>
Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 16:51:00 -0400
Hello all,

This is the first time I've submitted to this list, although I've been
following it for a few weeks. I'm enjoying much of the discussion.

Any thoughts on this one?

The speedometer in my Series 5 became unsteady. I replaced it with one of
my spare speedometers, which seems to be working fine.

However, while testing speedometers, I discovered that my tach may be
inaccurate; it seems to indicate a higher RPM than the actual RPM. The
puzzling part is that it seems to get worse (less accurate) after driving
the car for a while (hot engine). What I'm referring to as "actual RPM" is
from a Tach/Dwell meter. To be honest, I have no reason to believe that
it's particularly accurate. However, RPM indicated by the Tach/Dwell meter
and MPH indicated on the speedo are consistent with calculations based on
overall gear ratios and tire circumference.

  Tach/Dwell           Car's tachometer (RPM)
  tachometer
               Initial driving,   After driving a while,
             cold (cool) engine        hot engine
    1500         1200 (80%)            1120 (75%)
    2000         1640 (82%)            1500 (75%)
    2500         2080 (83%)            1920 (77%)
    3000         2510 (84%)            2370 (79%)

I tried two other well-used Series-5 tachs; they also indicate
higher-than-actual RPM's, although I don't know that the inaccuracy varies
for these. (I didn't test them to that extent.)

I was wondering if this was typical of these tachs; has anyone else noticed
this problem?

It's really just an annoyance; I'm not sure that I'll worry about it too
much. I'm just happy to have this car back on the road.

    -------------------------------------------------

I've also discovered that I have some extra instruments that I'm willing to
part with. All are Jaeger instruments. They're all of same style. The
lettering is distinctly larger and blockier than that of Series-5
instruments. I'm guessing that they are from an earlier model Alpine; I
think I acquired them with a parts car - an Alpine with more conspicuous
fins. The descriptions may help someone figure out the application(s). I
have ...

  2 Speedometers
            0 to 120 MPH
            both have identical markings
                 "SN 5324/16    1000"

  2 Mechanical tachometers
            0 to 6,000 RPM
            red lines at about 5400 and 5600
            both have identical markings
                 "X 100
                 3.21-1
                 RN 1316/00"

  2 Water temperature guages, 120 to 250 deg. F

  3 Oil pressure guages, 0 to 100 LB/0"

  1 Fuel gauge, 0 to 11 gallons

E-mail me if you're interested.


Jon



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