Wireless throttle control?

[Peregrine1983]

Hi all,

Curious if there is a product that allows wired or wireless throttle control on a diesel sailboat engine (Beta marine 50 in my case) that would allow me to get rid of the throttle cabling system or leave it as an emergency back up.

Thanks in advance for any info!

[Lepke]

There are all all manner of controls for engines and transmissions, but most are not cheap. The cheapest are electric and the most expensive are radio or wireless. The radio controls have shielding to prevent interference.

A grain terminal near me uses a radio control to operate a diesel switcher so the person dumping the grain cars can control the switcher. But there are safeties built in so the engine stops if the signal is lost.

A good autopilot is probably cheapest. Or maybe hobby radio controls.

[nussbda]

Kobelt makes electronic and pneumatic controls in addition to push pull controls. From a cost standpoint, you're probably better off keeping the cables.

[Peregrine1983]

Thank you. I was trying to figure out options as replacing the cable and running it through my Edson steering pedestal seems a really daunting task that would require me to disconnect my steering system... unless I'm missing something.

[Shanachie]

You're still going to need a cable or some other type of mechanical device to turn the rudder ... just saying.


And I suspect that whatever it is, it will be at least as difficult to install as a cable.


Changing out the cable and chain is usually not that difficult, depending on access in your boat. Worst case, you're on your back in a cockpit locker to install clamps to secure the cable to the quadrant.


When I did it a number of years ago, I removed the compass and cut the existing cable near the quadrant so I could remove it.



I bought the replacement from Defender. Part of it is similar to bike chain so it fits on the steering gear. Lead the cable down to where the quadrant is. Fit it so you know where to cut the cable.


Then tighten it and install the clamps -- double clamps are needed on both sides.


It will be many, many years before you need to do it again.

[marcjsmith]

use the existing throttle/shift cables as your mousing line and use them to pull the new cables through to the engine. you will need to remove the compass and other bits so you can see what going on, but I doubt you'd have to remove the steering components.

[Snore]

In a word —- don’t. Ask yourself what happens when (not if) the remote disconnects from the interface that is mechanically connected to the throttle and transmission? Even if it “fails safe” by taking the engine to idle and transmission to neutral- you can still hit something pretty hard.

IMHO- it is just not worth the risk.

[rslifkin]

There are electronic controls that can replace cable driven ones, but converting an existing setup will cost a good bit more than new cables.

The only wireless setups I know of are meant as a portable remote for docking, not for full time use. And they're very, very expensive (think 5 figure price tag).

[barnab]

Have a look at https://www.glendinningprods.com/pro...rt-actuator-2/ These give multi-place and also portable control over the engine(s). But the last bit to the engine/gearbox is still mechanical.



I found them looking to have more control options on a catamaran. I like the option for a wired remote that allows to walk around and control the engines. I didn't find anyone who would offer wireless engine controls (sold for that purpose), I guess the reason has been mentioned above.


I would not consider this option only because changing the existing cables is daunting, only if the electronic controls offer features you cannot have now.

[SailingHarmonie]

And another luddite here...

People never think about this... but.. what happens after a lightning strike? You probably can't use your engine. Might not be a big deal if you are a dock queen and get hit in your home slip but this is supposed to be the CRUISERSforum.

Of course a lot of modern engines are so electrified they would be dead anyway.

Long live my old--fully mechanical--Perkins.

[wholybee]

Originally Posted by Peregrine1983

Thank you. I was trying to figure out options as replacing the cable and running it through my Edson steering pedestal seems a really daunting task that would require me to disconnect my steering system... unless I'm missing something.

Yes, you have to take the steering apart. About an hour to get it apart, and an hour to put it together. Let's say an hour changing cables, depending on your boat. No matter how you figure that, you can do the job in a day. Plus, if your control cables need replacing, it is highly likely the steering cable does also. You do not want that to break while you are out sailing.

Any electric system is going to take some engineering to fit your engine, and will take a lot longer, and cost a lot more, and you won't have the opportunity to change your steering cable.

[CAVOK]

Don’t do it.
My electronic throttle failed on a new yacht after 3 years.
By the time the technician had finally worked out the problem it cost me in excess of €3000 & 2 weeks.
Go by the KISS principle.

[Leighpilot]

On a Baltic Trader I skippered in the early 90s I used a voice activated remote engine throttle. I needed to be in the mizzen chains to be able to see well enough to con the ship in to dock. From there I could just verbally command the engine power settings to a carbon based combined throttle and rudder control unit. The system only had a few basic commands but they were adequate for the needs. And after docking the control unit could be repurposed to tidy dock lines , varnishing , food preparation etc.

[OS2Dude]

Originally Posted by Peregrine1983

Thank you. I was trying to figure out options as replacing the cable and running it through my Edson steering pedestal seems a really daunting task that would require me to disconnect my steering system... unless I'm missing something.

You could probably hire someone to replace your cables cheaper than you could buy and install a reliable 'remote control' for your throttle and shifting.

I reran my cables on my 1985 Catalina 30 with Edson pedestal two years ago when I lost the ability to shift.

Yes, it is a pain. I took me most of a day to do by myself. Yes, i had to loosen the steering cables (not disconnect) to get enough room between the chain and the gear to get the cables out. (Mine are connected together below the wheel's axle.) The rest was not too bad and went fairly quickly. Getting the cables from the engine to under the pedestal required me to clear out the quarter berth and necessitated a lot of crawling about in the quarter berth. Pushing the cables up the pedestal was not hard at all, I just pushed them up where the originals had been.

[aqfishing]

We have used the teleflex ke4+ controls on commercial fishing vessels. Very reliable and can be used on almost any engine/gearbox.

Only downside is cost