SUNPRO Super tach CP7901 User manual

TACHOMETER
INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Please read this instruction manual and
review the installation procedures carefully
before attempting the installation of your
tachometer.
NOTE
If additional wire is needed, use #18 or #20
WG stranded automotive primary wire. For
exposed underhood wiring, teflon insulated
wire with its associated high temperature
capability is recommended. dditional
SAFETY GUIDELINES
To prevent accidents that could result in serious injury and/or damage to your
vehicle or test equipment, carefully follow these safety rules and test procedures.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Fire Extinguisher
Never work on your car without having a suitable
fire extinguisher handy. A 5-lb or larger CO2 or dry
chemical unit specified for gasoline chemical
electrical fires is recommended.
Fireproof Container
Rags and flammable liquids should be stored only
in fireproof, closed metal containers. A gasoline-
soaked rag should be allowed to dry thoroughly
outdoors before being discarded.
Safety Goggles
We recommend wearing safety goggles when
working on your car, to protect your eyes from
battery acid, gasoline, and dust and dirt flying off
moving engine parts.
NOTE: Never look directly into the carburetor
throat while the engine is cranking or running, as
sudden backfire can cause burns.
LOOSE CLOTHING AND LONG HAIR
(MOVING PARTS)
Be very careful not to get your hands, hair or
clothes near any moving parts such as fan blades,
belts and pulleys or throttle and transmission
linkages. Never wear neckties or loose clothing
when working on your car.
JEWELRY
Never wear wrist watches, rings or other jewelry
when working on your car. Youll avoid the
possibility of catching on moving parts or causing
an electrical short circuit which could shock or
burn you.
VENTILATION
The carbon monoxide in exhaust gas is highly
toxic. To avoid asphyxiation, always operate vehicle
in a well-ventilated area. If vehicle is in an enclosed
area, exhaust should be routed directly to the
outside via leakproof exhaust hose.
SETTING THE BRAKE
Make sure that your car is in Park or Neutral, and
that the parking brake is firmly set.
NOTE: Some vehicles have an automatic release
on the parking brake when the gear shift lever is
removed from the PARK position. This feature
must be disabled when it is necessary (for
testing) to have the parking brake engaged when
in the DRIVE position. Refer to your vehicle
service manual for more information.
HOT SURFACES
Avoid contact with hot surfaces such as exhaust
manifolds and pipes, mufflers (catalytic
converters), radiator and hoses. Never remove
the radiator cap while the engine is hot, as
escaping coolant under pressure may seriously
burn you.
SMOKING AND OPEN FLAMES
Never smoke while working on your car.
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable, and the gas
formed in a charging battery is explosive.
BATTERY
Do not lay tools or equipment on the battery.
Accidentally grounding the HOT battery
terminal can shock or burn you and damage
wiring, the battery or your tools and testers. Be
careful of contact with battery acid. It can burn
holes in your clothing and burn your skin or eyes.
When operating any test instrument from an
auxiliary battery, connect a jumper wire between
the negative terminal of the auxiliary battery and
ground on the vehicle under test. When working
in a garage or other enclosed area, auxiliary
battery should be located at least 18 inches
above the floor to minimize the possibility of
igniting gasoline vapors
HIGH VOLTAGE
High voltage  30,000 to 50,000 volts  is
present in the ignition coil, distributor cap,
ignition wires and spark plugs. When handling
ignition wires while the engine is running, use
insulated pliers to avoid a shock. While not
lethal, a shock may cause you to jerk involuntarily
and hurt yourself.
JACK
The jack supplied with the vehicle should be
used only for changing wheels. Never crawl
under car or run engine while vehicle is on a jack.
connectors, and hardware, that are not
included with this unit may also be needed.
s the mounting configuration will vary
significantly from vehicle to vehicle, hardware
to mount the tachometer to the vehicle is not
included. Whether you use self tapping or a
machine screw and nut configuration, #8
hardware including flat and lockwashers is
recommended.
CAUTION
This unit is designed for use on twelve
(12) volt negative (-) ground four (4)
cycle automotive type engines It is not
designed for use on positive (+) ground
electrical systems, two (2) cycle
engines, aircraft or marine applications
It is compatible with most distributor
equipped and distributorless ignition
systems
SUGGESTED TOOLS
Wire and terminal crimping, stripping and
cutting tool(s)
Screwdrivers and nut drivers as required by
hardware used
Small open end wrench set: 1/4" to 3/8" sizes
may be required
Electric drill
Drill bits:
#29 or 9/64", # 18 or 11/64", 5/16", 3/8"
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Tachometer
Tachometer Mounting Base Pad
Tachometer Housing to Column Bracket
Tachometer Dashboard Bracket
Installation hardware kit consisting of:
Wire Splices
Ring Terminals
1/4" Quick Connect Receptacle
Grommet
8-32 Nut, Black ..................................1 ea
8-32 X 5/8" Machine Screw, Black .... 1 ea
# 8 Split Washer ................................1 ea
Knurled Thumb Nut ............................1 ea
Voltage 12V
Tension 12V
Tension de 12V

CYLINDER SELECTION
This tachometer should be checked for cylinder
setting before installation (see figure 1).
Position the CYLinder selector switch on the
rear of the tachometer so that the switch
actuator is opposite the number which matches
the number of cylinders in the engine.
For Chrysler DISTRIBUTORLESS IGNI-
TION SYSTEM CONNECTIONS, connection
to Pin 43 of the Single Board Engine
Controller on Distributorless Ignition equipped
Chrysler vehicles requires that the CYLinder
selector switch be set to the four (4) cylinder
position, regardless of the number of
cylinders in the engine.
LAMP SUBSTITUTION OR
REPLACEMENT
Your tachometer is supplied with an automo-
tive type, wedge base (full size tachometers)
or subminiature wedge base (mini tachom-
eters) lamp, for illumination. This lamp should
provide satisfactory illumination intensity in
most applications, however the following
substitute lamps are available at your local
auto parts store, and may allow you to
custom tailor the illumination characteristics
of the tachometer to your application. Note
the higher the MSCD (Mean Spherical
Candela) of the lamp, the brighter it is.
LAMP # MSCD COLOR BASE
7 . CLEAR
SUBMINIATURE WEDGE
7 .5 CLEAR SUBMINIATURE WEDGE
74 .75 CLEAR SUBMINIATURE WEDGE
161 1 CLEAR WEDGE
194 2 CLEAR WEDGE
194A -
AMBER COATED WEDGE
168 CLEAR WEDGE
The lamp socket is located at the top rear of
the tachometer (see figure 1). To remove the
lamp, gently grasp the black lamp socket (use
pliers if necessary) and twist it counter-
clockwise approximately 1/8 turn until it stops.
Pull the socket with lamp straight out of the
tachometer housing. Remove the lamp from
its socket by pulling it straight out. Replace
the lamp as required following the chart
above. Reinstall the socketed lamp by rotating
it against the tachometers PC board until it
drops into place, and then rotate it approxi-
mately 1/8 turn clockwise until it reaches its
mechanical stop.
WARNING - SAFETY PRECAUTION!
Neither the driver nor any passenger
should compromise the safe operation
of the vehicle by attempting to readjust
the tachometer in any way while the
vehicle is in motion!
MOUNTING THE
TACHOMETER
Your tachometer is designed to be mounted
on top of or underneath the dashboard, or on
the steering column (see figures 3 and 4). If
you choose the steering column mounting
configuration, it will be necessary to obtain a
hose clamp which is large enough in
diameter to encircle the steering column. Cut
off any excess strap from the hose clamp,
when clamp mounting is complete.
CAUTION
Some steering columns are made to be
collapsible upon impact Care should be
taken when tightening the clamp to
avoid damage to the column
Be sure not to interfere with the movement
or mechanism of adjustable/tilt steering
columns.
Select a mounting location that allows a clear
view of the tachometer, but does not
obstruct access or view of controls, or view
of other dashboard instruments, or the road.
CAUTION
Position the tachometer in its specific
location and determine wire routing and
connection locations before drilling any
holes! Be sure to check behind areas of
intended drilling for obstructions before
drilling!
Mark hole locations, and drill holes as
required per the following chart.
# 8 Self-tapping screws  #29 or 9 64" drill bit
# 8 Machine screw hardware  #18 or 11 64" drill bit
Clearance hole for wiring harness  5 16" drill bit
Once the tachometer is adjusted to its final
position, securely tighten all hardware.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4
HOSE CLAMP
RED LINE
SHIFT
POINTER
RUBBER
PAD
RED LINE / SHIFT POINTER
djust the RED LINE/SHIFT POINTER by
sliding it around the meter bezel (see figure
2). This pointer may be set at any point on the
meter scale, such as engine red line, or
transmission shift point.
NOTE
FUNCTIONAL QUICK CHECK
lthough every attempt has been made to
make this tachometer electronically compatible
with as many different ignition systems as
possible, new ignition systems are being
developed continually. It is suggested
(especially if you have an engine that has a
non OEM, or aftermarket ignition system) that
the tachometer be electrically connected to
the vehicle, (using alligator clip leads or other
suitable means) following the steps below,
and an electrical functional check of the
tachometer be made, prior to making a
permanent installation.
1. Clip the BLACK lead from the tachometer
to the negative (-) battery terminal.
2. Clip the RED lead from the tachometer to
the positive (+) battery terminal.
3. Clip the GREEN lead from the tachometer
to the negative (-) side of the ignition coil
or tach signal connection point as indi-
cated in the ELECTRICAL CONNEC-
TIONS section of this manual. Do not
allow this connection to touch ground!
4. The WHITE lead is for instrument panel lighting,
and need not be connected for this check.
5. When all connections are secure, start the
vehicles engine. Confirm the operation of
the tachometer throughout the operating
temperature range of the engine, and at
both curb idle, and higher engine speeds.
The tachometer should follow the speed of
the engine smoothly, and show no signs of
erratic operation.
Should you encounter unsatisfactory tachom-
eter operation (erratic, no reading, etc.) on
engines equipped with high performance and/
or aftermarket ignition systems or ignition coils,
you may have selected the incorrect tach
connection point for the tachometers GREEN
lead, or a tachometer filter assembly may be
required.
Contact the manufacturer of the ignition
system or ignition coil for information
regarding tachometer connection to his
product and/or the availability of an
electrical filter assembly if required
When you are satisfied with tachometer
performance, proceed to the permanent
installation instructions which follow.
FIGURE 1
LAMP
SOCKET

FIGURE 5 RUBBER
GROMMET
FIGURE 6
SOLDER
CONNECTOR
VEHICLE
HARNESSWIRE
PIERCING
CLIP CONNECTOR
LIP
UNLOCKED
TACHOMETER
WIRE
SPLICE
CONNECTOR
LOCKED
ELECTRICAL
TAPE
CRIMPENDS
ELECTRICAL
CONNECTIONS
Refer to your vehicle service manual while
carefully following the wiring instructions.
CAUTION
For your own personal safety, and to
prevent possible damage to the
electrical system of your vehicle
during the installation, disconnect the
negative (-) battery cable. Reconnect
this cable after installation is complete.
BLACK, RED, AND WHITE
WIRE CONNECTIONS –
ALL SYSTEMS
Route all wires carefully. Securing them with
nylon tie wraps (not included) is suggested.
Do not route wires along or against sharp
edges which could cut the insulation. Also,
do not route them along hot engine sur-
faces, such as exhaust manifolds, where
high temperature could melt the insulation,
or near spark plug wires.
Route wires through an existing hole in the
firewall, or drill a 3/8" hole where desired,
making sure there are no hidden wires,
hoses, etc. that could be damaged. Insert
the supplied rubber grommet in this hole for
added protection against wire damage or
shorting (see figure 5).
0
1
23456
7
8
Sun super tach
RPM x 1000
FIGURE 7
BLACK WIRE
TO GROUND
SEE THE GREEN WIRE
CONNECTIONSECTIONS
OFTHISMANUAL
FUSE
BOX
RED TO
BATT.
VOLTAGE
TERMINAL INSTRUMENT
LAMP
SPLICE
CONNECTOR
TO
DIMMER
SWITCH
1. Connect the BLACK wire to the negative
(-) battery terminal, or a clean unpainted
chassis ground using a ring terminal or
other suitable means (see figure 7).
IMPORTANT
Although electrical ground (BLACK wire
connection) is available under the dash-
board, grounding the instrument near or
under the dash may cause it to operate
erratically, as any ground connection other
than the negative (-) battery terminal may
be “electrically noisy”.
Make the following connections with splice
connectors, or by an alternative method if
desired (see figure 6).
2. Connect the RED wire to any vehicle
harness wire which is energized with
battery voltage ONLY when the ignition key
is in the ON (RUN) position, NOT OFF or
ACCESSORIES (see figures 6 and 7).
3. Connect the WHITE wire to the instru-
ment panel lighting circuit or any lead that
is controlled by the instrument panel
dimmer control (see figure 7).
NOTE
Some vehicles (typically imported) wire the
dimmer control into the ground side of the
instrument panel lighting circuit, as opposed
to the more conventional “hot” or twelve (12)
volt side. In vehicles which use this circuit,
connect the WHITE wire to a circuit which is
energized by the headlamp switch.
GREEN WIRE
CONNECTION
The GREEN wire provides
the tachometer with the
engine RPM (speed) signal.
If your vehicle's engine is
equipped with a DISTRIBU-
TOR IGNITION SYSTEM
proceed to the GREEN
WIRE CONNECTION -
DISTRIBUTOR EQUIPPED
ENGINES section in this
manual.If your vehicle’s
engine is equipped with a
DIS (DISTRIBUTORLESS
IGNITION SYSTEM)
proceed to the GREEN
WIRE CONNECTION -
DISTRIBUTORLESS
IGNITION SYSTEM
EQUIPPED ENGINES
section of this manual. DIS
equipped engines are
characterized by their lack of
an ignition distributor. In
place of the distributor, will
be one or more “ignition coil
packs”. Unlike the ignition
distributor which has a basically round
shape, the coil pack is typically a square or
rectangular package.
GREEN WIRE CONNECTION 
DISTRIBUTOR EQUIPPED
ENGINES
Connect the GREEN wire to the negative (-)
side of the ignition coil. This terminal may
also be referred to as the TACH, TACH
TEST, DEC, or ECU terminal. Wiring
diagrams can be found in your vehicle
service manual. See the list at the end of
these instructions for service manual
sources.
GREEN WIRE CONNECTION 
DISTRIBUTORLESS IGNITION
SYSTEM EQUIPPED ENGINES
Many domestically built vehicles (and some
imports) are now using a new type of ignition
system which does not use a distributor, but
instead, a system of multiple ignition coils, and
the necessary sensors and computer
controls to fire them in the proper order.
This type of system is commonly referred to
as a DISTRIBUTORLESS IGNITION
SYSTEM or DIS. Your tachometer is
designed to work with these systems,
however proper connection to them is
important. The BLACK (ground), RED (12-
14 volt supply), and WHITE (instrument
lamp) connections are the same as for
distributor equipped vehicles, however
connection of the GREEN (tach signal) wire
to the ignition is specific to the engine and
ignition system. Wiring diagrams can be
found in your vehicle service manual. See
the list at the end of these instructions
for service manual sources.
WHITE
SUNPRO GAUGES CUSTOM GAUGES