Brother's Tach - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Andy4639 · 10-26-2020, 06:45 PM

A few months ago I posted about buying a tach from Brother's.

A few days later I found Greg @ CajunTach shop and ordered a replacement board for the old tach. https://www.cajuntachshop.com/

Well a few weeks ago the board in the tach from Brothers burnt up, I called them and they sent me a new one in it's place no questions asked. I was told not to worry about sending the old one back, so today I got the new tach.
I have to give a thumbs up on them for handling it so quick. I did have to sit on the phone for a bit to talk to some one though but under the circumstances it wasn't bad.

I'm going to install it tonight I hope if I get time.

I also talked to Greg after getting the new tach I sent him pictures of the old one that burnt. He said he could fix it so I boxed it up and sent to him today.
He said that is the main problem with the aftermarket tach they burn the resistor out. He suggested I run a 5amp inline fuse from the fuse block and a filter on the coil side. So what have you guy's used as far as the filter? There are bunches on the net just don't want to buy a junk one.

RustyPile · 10-27-2020, 05:37 AM

I have been an Amateur Radio Operator for over 20 years and have some experience at designing and assembling electronic circuits of that nature. That's a 2 or 3 watt resistor and dissipates considerable power in the form of heat.. When assembling resistors of that size or larger. I don't push the leads through the trace until the resistor is touching the board. I leave an air space between the board and the resistor.. That way the heat buildup doesn't transfer directly to the board, it is removed by air circulation...

Andy4639 · 10-27-2020, 08:36 AM

Greg told me he has a new design for his that should handle the heat better. He also said he will calibrate it also for the V-8 for me. I guess we will wait and see how it looks when I get it back.

tdangle · 10-27-2020, 10:56 AM

I have been running a Brothers tach for a year or so now and it is working fine. Connected to a HEI dist. I'll be following this thread just in-case

Andy4639 · 10-27-2020, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdangle

I have been running a Brothers tach for a year or so now and it is working fine. Connected to a HEI dist. I'll be following this thread just in-case

Mine is also hooked to a HEI. Not sure what caused it to burn.

tdangle · 10-27-2020, 05:04 PM

Did the resistor burn or just the heat from the resistor burn the board and solder pads? Rustypile is correct a high wattage resistor should not only be set above the board so air is all around it, but also the leads formed with a curve in them to resist vibration. Like a "u" shape partway down the lead.

Andy4639 · 10-27-2020, 06:42 PM

Well all I can tell you is it burnt. Why is anyones guess.

Andy4639 · 10-27-2020, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdangle

I have been running a Brothers tach for a year or so now and it is working fine. Connected to a HEI dist. I'll be following this thread just in-case

Do you have it fused and a filter on it? Mine had neither but will plan to include them on the new one.

Andy4639 · 10-28-2020, 05:33 PM

It's been raining ever since I started the post so I haven't installed the new tach yet. Maybe tomorrow but it's calling for rain all day. Will see. So where are all the guy's who run the filters at?

tdangle · 10-28-2020, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Do you have it fused and a filter on it? Mine had neither but will plan to include them on the new one.

No filter, yes the power is fused.

Andy4639 · 10-29-2020, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdangle

No filter, yes the power is fused.

OK thanks for the reply. I think that's how I'm going back also. What size fuse did you use? Greg said use a 5amp like a radio.

Andy4639 · 10-30-2020, 01:38 PM

Well I started yesterday taking the tach back out of the ramp truck to install the new one that Brothers sent me. I got everything back in and the tach I hooked a 3amp fuse in line to it off the unfused terminal of the fuse block.

It's working good, so now I'm looking and turning everything on to make sure it's all working. No dash lights and with the head light switch pulled out the turn signal although they are working the dash lights are backwards. Yes you read that correctley. They are backwards with the head light switch pull out but work normal without the lights on!
So I pull it back out and found that the printed circuit board ground has a gash right beside the bulk head connector. I ran a ground wire from one of the light bulbs to the back of the cluster to ground it. So far so good everything is back to working correctly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPrq2X1JHlI

You Tube

Andy4639 · 10-30-2020, 08:34 PM

Drove it tonight everything is good. Work well. Had a guy want to buy it but after I told him my price he said thanks got in his little Subaru and left.

**CarlsLQ9SS** · 11-01-2020, 11:58 AM

I wonder if he can make a circuit board for an aftermarket tach? Reason i ask is i have a 8k lens and would like to have it calibrated for the lens.

Andy4639 · 11-01-2020, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlsLQ9SS

I wonder if he can make a circuit board for an aftermarket tach? Reason i ask is i have a 8k lens and would like to have it calibrated for the lens.

This is his add on E bay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tachometer-...53.m1438.l2649

I need to know what the MAX RPM is on your gauge. Most will be 5k, but some are 7k. Also, if it is for a V6 or V8. - !!!

**CarlsLQ9SS** · 11-01-2020, 10:02 PM

Thanks Andy! I will message them to see if they make one for an aftermarket tach.

Zeroman · 11-02-2020, 09:31 AM

CarlsLQ9SS, yes he can.

I have an aftermarket tach, and Greg made one for it. He asked if I could send him the tach so he could calibrate the new board with the tach, which I did.

It took a little longer, but I am very happy with it.

**CarlsLQ9SS** · 11-02-2020, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeroman

CarlsLQ9SS, yes he can.

I have an aftermarket tach, and Greg made one for it. He asked if I could send him the tach so he could calibrate the new board with the tach, which I did.

It took a little longer, but I am very happy with it.

Do you remember what the extra charge was for the calibration?

Andy4639 · 11-02-2020, 10:25 AM

I sent Greg the whole thing also so he could calibrate it. He said it may take a while since all the storms they have had down in LA this year but I'm in no hurry.
All my cluster are aftermarket lens and I've never had any problems with seeing them.
The last 3 pictures was the dash I did for the 68 stepside I sold.

**CarlsLQ9SS** · 11-02-2020, 11:20 AM

Nice work!

**CarlsLQ9SS** · 11-02-2020, 02:55 PM

Just checked the lighting on my gauges and they light up “ok” and have some added bulbs where I made my harness for it. These are for my Ls swap done the s10 speedo for the electric sender. Here is a few pictures of it. I may get the brighter bulbs so I can see them better at night.

Andy4639 · 11-02-2020, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlsLQ9SS

Just checked the lighting on my gauges and they light up “ok” and have some added bulbs where I made my harness for it. These are for my Ls swap done the s10 speedo for the electric sender. Here is a few pictures of it. I may get the brighter bulbs so I can see them better at night.

That looks good sir. I like that trip speedometer mod also. I'd like to see how that is done. I have 2 S 10 complete dashes that I bought for my daughters truck.

bry593 · 11-05-2020, 03:17 PM

Greg has had my tach for half a year or more, and I still don't have it back. Every time I call, he has some excuse. I ended up buying another one from Truck/Car Shop. So good luck with that Greg thing!

By the way. Some people think that the Chinese external voltage regulators cause voltage spikes, enough to damage the resistor. Remember, the wire going to the HEI is a ground wire. No energy comes to the tach from the HEI. The voltage issue is on the alternator side of the equation. FYI, I also converted to an internally regulated 12SI.

68 TT · 03-31-2021, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlsLQ9SS

Just checked the lighting on my gauges and they light up “ok” and have some added bulbs where I made my harness for it. These are for my Ls swap done the s10 speedo for the electric sender. Here is a few pictures of it. I may get the brighter bulbs so I can see them better at night.

Sorry for the hijack but I meant to ask you a long time ago what the donor vehicle is for those gauge bulb sockets you used. I have the picture you posted with the group of them in your hand at the junk yard but didn't write it down if you mentioned it.

10-26-2020, 06:45 PM	#1
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Brother's Tach A few months ago I posted about buying a tach from Brother's. A few days later I found Greg @ CajunTach shop and ordered a replacement board for the old tach. https://www.cajuntachshop.com/ Well a few weeks ago the board in the tach from Brothers burnt up, I called them and they sent me a new one in it's place no questions asked. I was told not to worry about sending the old one back, so today I got the new tach. I have to give a thumbs up on them for handling it so quick. I did have to sit on the phone for a bit to talk to some one though but under the circumstances it wasn't bad. I'm going to install it tonight I hope if I get time. I also talked to Greg after getting the new tach I sent him pictures of the old one that burnt. He said he could fix it so I boxed it up and sent to him today. He said that is the main problem with the aftermarket tach they burn the resistor out. He suggested I run a 5amp inline fuse from the fuse block and a filter on the coil side. So what have you guy's used as far as the filter? There are bunches on the net just don't want to buy a junk one. Attached Images __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. Last edited by Andy4639; 10-26-2020 at 07:01 PM.

10-27-2020, 05:37 AM	#2
RustyPile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Elkhart, Texas Posts: 1,882	Re: Brother's Tach I have been an Amateur Radio Operator for over 20 years and have some experience at designing and assembling electronic circuits of that nature. That's a 2 or 3 watt resistor and dissipates considerable power in the form of heat.. When assembling resistors of that size or larger. I don't push the leads through the trace until the resistor is touching the board. I leave an air space between the board and the resistor.. That way the heat buildup doesn't transfer directly to the board, it is removed by air circulation...

10-27-2020, 08:36 AM	#3
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Brother's Tach Greg told me he has a new design for his that should handle the heat better. He also said he will calibrate it also for the V-8 for me. I guess we will wait and see how it looks when I get it back. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

10-27-2020, 10:56 AM	#4
tdangle Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca Posts: 1,211	Re: Brother's Tach I have been running a Brothers tach for a year or so now and it is working fine. Connected to a HEI dist. I'll be following this thread just in-case __________________ Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC

10-27-2020, 05:04 PM	#6
tdangle Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca Posts: 1,211	Re: Brother's Tach Did the resistor burn or just the heat from the resistor burn the board and solder pads? Rustypile is correct a high wattage resistor should not only be set above the board so air is all around it, but also the leads formed with a curve in them to resist vibration. Like a "u" shape partway down the lead. __________________ Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC

10-27-2020, 06:42 PM	#7
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Brother's Tach Well all I can tell you is it burnt. Why is anyones guess. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

10-28-2020, 05:33 PM	#9
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Brother's Tach It's been raining ever since I started the post so I haven't installed the new tach yet. Maybe tomorrow but it's calling for rain all day. Will see. So where are all the guy's who run the filters at? __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. Last edited by Andy4639; 10-28-2020 at 05:43 PM.

10-30-2020, 08:34 PM	#13
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Brother's Tach Drove it tonight everything is good. Work well. Had a guy want to buy it but after I told him my price he said thanks got in his little Subaru and left. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

11-01-2020, 11:58 AM	#14
CarlsLQ9SS Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: London, Ky Posts: 1,172	Re: Brother's Tach I wonder if he can make a circuit board for an aftermarket tach? Reason i ask is i have a 8k lens and would like to have it calibrated for the lens.

11-01-2020, 10:02 PM	#16
CarlsLQ9SS Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: London, Ky Posts: 1,172	Re: Brother's Tach Thanks Andy! I will message them to see if they make one for an aftermarket tach.

11-02-2020, 09:31 AM	#17
Zeroman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 348	Re: Brother's Tach CarlsLQ9SS, yes he can. I have an aftermarket tach, and Greg made one for it. He asked if I could send him the tach so he could calibrate the new board with the tach, which I did. It took a little longer, but I am very happy with it.

11-02-2020, 10:25 AM	#19
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Brother's Tach I sent Greg the whole thing also so he could calibrate it. He said it may take a while since all the storms they have had down in LA this year but I'm in no hurry. All my cluster are aftermarket lens and I've never had any problems with seeing them. The last 3 pictures was the dash I did for the 68 stepside I sold. Attached Images __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

11-02-2020, 11:20 AM	#20
CarlsLQ9SS Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: London, Ky Posts: 1,172	Re: Brother's Tach Nice work!

11-02-2020, 02:55 PM	#21
CarlsLQ9SS Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: London, Ky Posts: 1,172	Re: Brother's Tach Just checked the lighting on my gauges and they light up “ok” and have some added bulbs where I made my harness for it. These are for my Ls swap done the s10 speedo for the electric sender. Here is a few pictures of it. I may get the brighter bulbs so I can see them better at night. Attached Images

11-05-2020, 03:17 PM	#23
bry593 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 201	Re: Brother's Tach Greg has had my tach for half a year or more, and I still don't have it back. Every time I call, he has some excuse. I ended up buying another one from Truck/Car Shop. So good luck with that Greg thing! By the way. Some people think that the Chinese external voltage regulators cause voltage spikes, enough to damage the resistor. Remember, the wire going to the HEI is a ground wire. No energy comes to the tach from the HEI. The voltage issue is on the alternator side of the equation. FYI, I also converted to an internally regulated 12SI. __________________ 1971 C20 Custom Deluxe, HT383, 4L80E, 3.73 Locker, 4 Wheel Discs



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