Eliminator, and Top Eliminator Tachometers
THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION AND ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THESE TACHOMETERS FOLLOW. USE IS RESTRICTED TO 12 VOLT NEGATIVE GROUND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.
Item
Description
Quantity
Parts List


1.
Tachometer
1
2.
Decals, 2” x 4”
(not contingency decals)
2
3.
18-Gauge Wire, 4’
1
4.
3-Conductor Shielded Wire, 10’
1
5.
Posi-Lock™ Connectors
4
6.
Rubber Mounting Grommet
1
7.
Contoured Mounting Foot
1
Tachometer Installation
CAUTION: Read these instructions thoroughly before mak-
ing installation. Do not deviate from assembly or wiring in-
structions. Always disconnect battery ground before making
any electrical connections. If in doubt, please contact your
dealer or VDO Instruments at (703) 665-2428.
Installing the tachometer is a three-step process. First, you
must program the tachometer to match the number of cylin-
ders your engine has and the type of ignition your are using.
Next, you must determine where to mount the tachometer
and which optional mounting brackets, if any, you need.
Finally, after mounting the tachometer, you must wire it.
I.
Programming the Tachometer
1. Start by removing the four (4) cap nuts and washers on
the back of the tachometer. (For the Street Eliminator, see
Diagram A; for the Comp Eliminator, Diagram B; for the
Pro Eliminator, Diagram C; and for the Top Eliminator,
Diagram D.)
2. Before removing the mounting cup, spray the five wires
with any of the following products: WD40, ARMOR-ALL,
or any rubber/vinyl protectorant. This will allow the wires
to slide through the rubber grommet.
3. Take off the back cap. Set the selector switches to match
the cylinder and ignition type you are using. Switches 1 & 2
will input the number of cylinders your engine has. Switch 3
applies only to the Top Eliminator. It allows you to choose
either 50 or 200 seconds of recording memory. We recom-
mend that you use the shortest memory practical for your
application. Switch 4 is used to input the type of ignition
system on which you are installing the tachometer—elec-
tronic, CDI, or standard. For the selector switch settings
that apply to the model of Eliminator Tachometer you are
installing, consult either Diagram A, B, C, or D. Each ta-
chometer is preset to eight cylinder engines and electronic
ignitions (and the Top Eliminator to 50 seconds). You must
change the selector switches to match the number of cylin-
ders and the ignition your are using, or the tachometer will
not work properly. Should you ever need to replace the Type
194 light bulb, remove the back cap as you would to set the
Selector Switches.
Diagram A
Street Eliminator Dimensions and Switch Settings
Magneto Interface Box #340 030
Remote Keypad Cable, 6’ #240 207
Flush Dash Mounting Bracket #240 104
On-Dash Mounting Bracket #240 103
Optional Items Which May Be Needed:
Part # 0 511 012 253 Rev. 03/00
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Diagram B
Comp Eliminator Dimensions and Switch Settings
Diagram C
Pro Eliminator Dimensions and Switch Settings
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For competition dash mounting, the rubber mounting grom-
met supplied can be used. This requires a 3½" hole. Re-
move the rubber grommet from the mounting ring and place
the tachometer into the hole. The mounting cup can be
used for a mounting bracket. Mounting without the grom-
met requires a 3
3
/
16

" hole. If the dash panel is ½" thick or
less, the mounting cup can be used for a bracket. Or, use a
modified in-dash bracket #240 104.
1. Select a location to mount the tachometer. Eliminator
Tachometers can be mounted in four different ways, depend-
ing on your preference. They can be: ¶ Column or roll bar
mounted. A short contoured foot is included so you can
mount the tachometer this way. · In-dash shock mounted.
¸ In-dash flush mounted with an optional U-bracket (#240
104). ¹ Top-dash mounted with an optional long foot (#240
103) for stability.
Diagram D
Top Eliminator Dimensions and Switch Settings
4. After you have correctly positioned the selector switches
to exactly match your cylinder and ignition type, reassemble
the mounting cup to the rear of the tachometer with the
four (4) cap nuts.
II. Mounting the Tachometer
2. Mount the tachometer, making sure it does not rest against
glass, the windshield post, or the roll bar. (NOTE: To en-
sure proper operation, don't mount the tachometer too close
to any electrical items like an ignition system box, coils, or
an electrical fuel pump. The wires from these shouldn't be
routed by the tachometer, either.) Recommended installa-
tion is on the steering column using a band clamp available
at any local auto parts store. In some instances the drilling
of new holes for the repositioning of the keypad may be nec-
essary. For mounting on the dash, use the optional long
mounting bracket #240 103. Use the holes provided in the
bracket to secure the tachometer. Flush dash mounting re-
quires a 4¾" hole and the optional U-bracket #240 104.
3. The keypad can be remote mounted using the optional 6'
remote cable #240 207. Remove the keypad from the mount-
ing ring, then remove the mounting cup. Unplug the cable
from the back of the tach housing. Insert the male end of
the extension cable into the back of the tach. Then insert
the male end of the control pad cable into the female end of
the extension cable. Reattach the mounting cup, then mount
the keypad in the location of your choice.
1. Remove the key from the ignition and disconnect the
negative terminal from the battery post.
III. Wiring the Tachometer
2. Wire the tachometer to the vehicle as shown in Diagram
H on Page 4. Please understand that proper wiring must be
maintained throughout your vehicle. If it isn’t, the tachom-
eter may pick up signals that have been produced by electri-
cal devices other than the ignition system. Don’t coil up
excess tachometer wires during installation. Cut wires and
cables to length, and route them making sure they can’t be



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pinched by pedals or levers. When running cables through
areas like firewalls, eliminate wire chafing by using chassis
grommets. Proper battery voltage—from 10.5 to 16.5 volts—
must be maintained in the vehicle during operation. Don’t
use solid core ignition wires. Ignition wires must be in good
condition. If erratic tachometer readings occur, check all wires
for proper resistance values. You’ll note that we have included
shielded cable and Posi-Lock™ Connectors for your tachom-
eter installation. We highly recommend that you use these
to help insure proper operation. Splice the wires from the
tachometer to the shielded cable using the Posi-Lock™ Con-
nectors as shown in Diagram E.
Diagram G
Wiring With and Without a Light Switch
Diagram F
Magneto Interface Box Wiring Instructions
Magneto Interface Box
#340 030
To
Magneto
Tachometer
To
Diagram H
General Wiring Information
Diagram E
Connect tach wires to insulated cable with Posi-Locks™
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3. Refer to your engine manual and/or the manufacturer’s
manual for the location of the tachometer signal connection
for a voltage-triggered tachometer. Typical connections are
found in the box below. Wire to a magneto ignition using the
optional Magneto Interface Box as shown in Diagram F.
For racing applications, connect both the red wire for power
and the white wire for illumination to the red wire in the
shielded cable used to connect the tach to the ignition.
This will cause the tachometer to stay illuminated continu-
ously during operation, but will help insure the shielding of
the tachometer. For non-racing applications, or applications
with a low risk of radio-frequency or electromagnetic inter-
ference, the white wire from the tachometer can be wired di-
rectly to the light switch for illumination only when the lights
are turned on. Refer to the wiring in Diagram G.
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IGNITION
Standard
CD
Electronic
TYPE
points/ breakerless
points
breakerless
MSD, ACCEL,
MALLORY, DDIS
(distributorless),etc.
CONNECTIONS
negative terminal on coil
points connection to CD box
positive terminal on coil
Tach output terminal on ignition
box, or points connection to
ignition box, or negative coil Page 5
CONNECTING TO AN MSD-7AL IGNITION
1. Connect the tach using the 10' shielded cable included
with the tachometer. Peel app