diff --git a/application.c b/application.c
index 97c0f99..9b6fc3c 100644
--- a/application.c
+++ b/application.c
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ volatile bool rtc_internal_tick_flag = false; /**< flag set when internal RTC ti
 volatile uint32_t tacho_count = 0; /**< tachometer edge count */
 bool tacho_display = false; /**< if the current tachometer count should be displayed */
 #define TACHO_PIN PB11 /**< tachometer input on SWIM pin, pulled up to 3V3 by 680R */
-#define TACHO_TARGET_DEFAULT 40 /**< the default target tachometer count */
+#define TACHO_TARGET_DEFAULT 20 /**< the default target tachometer count (slow for safety) */
 uint32_t tacho_target = TACHO_TARGET_DEFAULT; /**< the target tachometer count (switch SSR on when below, off when above) */
 #define SSR_PIN PB14 /**< pin to control the SSR (active low, open drain to 5V) */