Tach wiring extension for Johnson 50

[Jupiter Dinghy]

I tried "electrical systems" but no luck, so I thought I'd try it here....

I bought a tachometer/hour meter for my 50hp Johnson, (the kind that you wrap the wire around the spark plug wire) and because it's a remote motor, I need to extend the length of the wire so I can reach the dash.
Can this be done without affecting the performance, and what kind of wire should I use?
The copper core is extremely thin, can it still be soldered and insulated with a shrink wrap sleeve?

 

[scalhoun506]

should not affect signal, i used 18 gauge to extend wire and wrapped it on the plug wire. is the old "Dune Dog" still open?

 

[Jupiter Dinghy]

should not affect signal, i used 18 gauge to extend wire and wrapped it on the plug wire. is the old "Dune Dog" still open?

Thanks scalhoun, did you solder the extension to the stock wire? How long was your extension?
Yep Dune Dog up and running.

 

[scalhoun506]

yep soldered but would think even a butt connector would work, wire wrapped around plug is basically a coil sending a pulse of electricity ( however small) to display unit. mine was about 8 or 9 feet, 15ft. boat

 

[Jupiter Dinghy]

Well, that was rather painless.... for some reason, I was expecting more complications to it, but I followed your lead (pun intended), and got my 18 gauge wire wrapped around the plug wire, soldered to the stock shorty, heat shrank a couple of sleeves to cover the connection, and voila! I now can monitor my RPM's at the dash!

Amazing what 15 bucks can do these days! (Yeah I know..... the tach, additional wire, and about every tool used for this project, was made in China)

Thanks again for your feedback calhoun.