Runleader Small Engine Hour Meter, Digital Tachometer, Maintenance Reminder, Battery Replaceable, User Shutdown, Use for ZTR Lawn Mower Tractor Generator Marine Outboard ATV (1)

My TORO with a B&S engine wasn't picking up grass clippings like it should. I replaced the stock blade with an OEM high lift one and it helped but I still wasn't getting the even cut I wanted. I have fescue that I keep at 4 inches here in NC. I went to several sites and the answer I kept coming up with was that the RPM were set too low from the factory. The spec is 3250 + or - 150 . I started the mower up and it was running at 2800, so I adjusted the RPMs to 3300 which was very easy to do! What a difference increasing the RPMs by 500 made. My grass in even and the bag was FULL of clippings. About the meter, it worked, was easy to program and it was very reasonably priced.

I was a bit hesitant to purchase these tacho/hour/maintenance reminder meters. I felt there was too much functionality for how they are priced. However, I really got tired to taking a stab in the dark as to when maintenance was required for my small engines on my portable generator and power reel mower. Now that they are installed I absolutely would not give them up - even if you're just looking at the engine speed.Setup: I used the adhesive backed hook and loop mounting arrangement that was supplied with the units. I didn't feel like drilling and tapping two small holes for the meter so I took the easier route. I cleaned the back of the meter with a pre-soaked (no alcohol - just soapy grease cutter version) shop towel and attached the fabric with the battery access cutout. It's 3M adhesive on the hook and loop so it's not coming off anytime soon. The coin-cell battery is preinstalled but you have to unscrew the cover and remove the isolator (a piece of plastic) so the battery makes contact with the tabs on the circuit board. No different than replacing a coin battery for any other device except the packaged versions have a sticker you have to remove. Once it shows that it's on your ready to program.Programming: I didn't have to make any changes to the presets but don't assume you won't. It all depends on your engine and the instructions are pretty clear on how to cycle through the steps. I did play around with it a bit just so I don't have to pull out the instructions that I will eventually misplace or lose. But, take your time and you will be rewarded on the first try.Installation: I cleaned off a spot on my equipment and placed the other part of the hook and loop on an area where I could get to the unit without performing any acrobatics and unfolded the spark plug cable (you can use two methods for sensing the spark - I won't go into details here because it's clear in the instructions). I decided to use the "wrap around the spark plug cable method" because I didn't want to d**k around with the ignition coil. My method was to zip tie the meter cable to the housing part of the spark plug wire (the part that attaches to the plug) and then make 5 turns around the cable then zip tie the trailing end of the meter wire to the spark plug cable. Make sure your turns are tight around the spark plug cable and bunched together in one layer - take your time because making sure the induction lead (meter cable) is wound tightly is important. With a pair of diagonal cutters or very sharp scissors cutoff all but 2-3" of the trailing meter lead (just in case you have to redo it and need a little extra in the future.Operation: Nothing to it here. Once I started the engines the unit automatically started reading the speed in RPM - kinda nice to see when you haven't seen it before - it's the small things that excite me. I checked my instruction manual and the meter indicated what the manual stated - give or take a few RPMs but nothing major. For example, full speed on my generator engine is 3600 RPM. The meter was reading 3590 - 3610 RPMs. I consider that a success.Cleanup: I placed some zip tie bases in a couple of spots so the meter lead would stay clear from the hottest part of the engine. But, keep in mind it is an air cooled small engine (speaking only for my two) after all and they are built tightly with only a bit of space in order for the internal vanes to push air over and around the engine.In Closing: Nothing major to discuss here but keep in mind the following: 1. Take your time (it took me roughly 30 minutes for the first one and no more than 15 minutes for the second install), 2. If you know the characteristics of your engine program the meter prior to installing it, 3. If you can avoid it try to keep the actual meter away from the hottest parts of the engine, 4. Make sure your meter lead is tightly bunched and wound, in one layer, around the spark plug cable, 5. Start your engine and enjoy the view, and lastly, 6. Go enjoy a cold, frosty beverage - mine is 60% Simply Lemonade and 40% Gold Peak sweet tea - my version of an Arnold Palmer.

Received mine today. I plan to use it on my chainsaws to measure rpm, but I didn’t have them available. So I tested the tach on a Honda generator that is rated at a 4300 rpm engine speed. The engine is a single cylinder, 4-stroke, but the setting for that gave me twice the rpm (8600) when I tested it. The instructions do say that some 4-stroke engines actually use the single cylinder, 2-stroke setting, so I tried that and got an engine speed of 4300! So, I’d say this tach is very accurate. Just make sure you use the proper setting.For my initial test I wrapped the wire around the spark plug cable per the instructions. Big PITA! Then I connected the wire to an alligator clip (much easier!) and got the same 4300 rpm reading. So, it appears a clip works just fine.The instructions say that zip ties are supposed to be included in the box. I didn’t get any. No big deal, but poor quality control, I guess.So far, I’m satisfied, and I’m hoping for a good service life on the tach.Note: while I have it out of use, I keep the battery out.

Purchased to measure rpm’s on a lawn tractor. This couldn’t be easier to install, works great, has instructions, and multiple features besides tachometer. Once you fire up an engine, it powers on automatically. My only criticism, is that you have to power it down manually by holding both buttons otherwise it appears to remain on indefinitely, draining the oversized watch battery that’s in it. Very pleased with it, and is quite affordable.

Great product! Great price!Love these, put them on my 2 inverter generators.

This product works well, I think. It is easy to hook up and read the display, however two things I really disliked about it.1) the battery cap is very weak, doesn't latch well, and is kind of hard to get seated without going past the seated position and having it fall off. It works, you just have to fiddle with it2) In the manual, it states that if the RPM is reading a couple hundred RPM too high or too low, to add or remove a wrap around the plug wire. I am tuning a chainsaw. How in the world would I know if the RPM displayed on this is off, the chainsaw has no tachometer. It's literally the reason I bought this product, which now tells me it might be off by a few hundred RPM. If the device you plan on hooking this up to has an accurate tachometer, why would you be buying this?I do believe with 5 wraps it was close to accurate and was very helpful in tuning my saw, but these two gripes were my concerns. It is probably worth the price but if you need accuracy, I wouldn't recommend this.