Morse controller that does not corrode?

bikedaft

bikedaft

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All the ones I have seen have aluminium internals that corrode. It does live in a damp cockpit locker, but it does not appear to be marine grade aluminium.

I can find shiny stainless ones on ebay - but what about the internals?

Etc... TIA
 
We have been using bog standard Volvo controls for over 20 years, we broke a cable once (and now carry spares) but otherwise not an issue.

We did make a waterproof cap for ours - to keep the worst of the weather at bay but I suspect humidity would be the issue - but not in our case.

Jonathan
 
I have always used Vetus controls. Never had any problem with corrosion even in an old wooden boat with open cockpit and bilges. Optional stainless external cover if you like shiny things.
 
Thinking further

After a few years residing on YBW I really cannot say that corrosion of Morse controls have been a frequent thread topic, or a thread topic at all. This makes me question whether the issue is not 'Morse controls' but your specific installation? As most of us own fairly conventional vessels from production builders, who source their controllers from pretty obvious sources, we don't have an issue - where does your 'corroding' controller come from and ion what is it installed.

I'm also interested in your comments that you say all the models/examples you have seen 'have aluminium internals that corrode' as if this is true then YBW members have not complained - and we are very demanding lot :).

How do you know that Vetus, Volvo et al have aluminium internals and that these controls all corrode?

I'm curious

Take care, stay safe

Jonathan
 
Tranona said:
Those are not appropriate for the OPs application.
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Theres a sail boat version, (side mount) with or without interlock. Which I would say Is very suitable. About 700 pounds though!

Kobelt stuff will survive the apocalypse, never seen one fail and they are widely used commercially.
 
Buck Turgidson said:
View attachment 128287

They do corrode :) Had to change mine a couple of years ago as the gear selection failed. No idea how old it was.
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It looks like windlass I see - out of sight out of mind. They both would benefit from an annual clean up and greasing. No-one would leave their engine unattended, their winches, liferafts, people even clean their running rigging - I wonder why Morse controllers and windlass are imagined they can languish unattended and last for ever. (Oddly it does seem, by and large, both windlass and controllers do last forever - think of the SL windlass threads and SL is long since gone as a company). Our Morse controllers, we have 2, will soon be celebrating 25 years - but they are both located 'interior' and have a cloth cap over them (with no signs of corrosion).

I confess that if windlass and controllers are ignored I would expect to see corrosion (not because they are made from aluminium? but because they are 'mechanical', inevitably made from different metals and on a boat) - it never occurred to me that both would be ignored, completely, its not as if either are cheap and both are more than useful (especially when you really need them)

Stay safe, take care (of yourself and the windlass/controller)

Jonathan

PS as far as I can ascertain windlass makers suggest an annual service, check gear box oil, clean up, grease shaft - nothing onerous an easy task on a warm sunny afternoon - hands up those who service annually (or ever)? Hands up those who clean their controller, WD 40 - or even look at its internals.....
 
Neeves said:
It looks like windlass I see - out of sight out of mind. They both would benefit from an annual clean up and greasing. No-one would leave their engine unattended, their winches, liferafts, people even clean their running rigging - I wonder why Morse controllers and windlass are imagined they can languish unattended and last for ever. (Oddly it does seem, by and large, both windlass and controllers do last forever - think of the SL windlass threads and SL is long since gone as a company). Our Morse controllers, we have 2, will soon be celebrating 25 years - but they are both located 'interior' and have a cloth cap over them (with no signs of corrosion).

I confess that if windlass and controllers are ignored I would expect to see corrosion (not because they are made from aluminium? but because they are 'mechanical', inevitably made from different metals and on a boat) - it never occurred to me that both would be ignored, completely, its not as if either are cheap and both are more than useful (especially when you really need them)

Stay safe, take care (of yourself and the windlass/controller)

Jonathan

PS as far as I can ascertain windlass makers suggest an annual service, check gear box oil, clean up, grease shaft - nothing onerous an easy task on a warm sunny afternoon - hands up those who service annually (or ever)? Hands up those who clean their controller, WD 40 - or even look at its internals.....
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Internals are sealed (riveted) on standard morse controllers these days.
 
KompetentKrew said:
My boat has an SL3 which I presume to be over 25 years old and still going strong: SeaStar Solutions
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Thanks for all the replies.

The one sold by Seastar is the one we have currently. Die cast alum (corroding) and mild steel (fine so far). The previous controller I am unsure of the make, but it failed by leaving me unable to select a gear, just after casting off, just after checking fwd and astern engaged...

I take the point re greasing/maintenance - however if the innards were made of 316, there would be no need to except the cables.

(Ours does live in a damp cockpit locker, on a mooring, so no dehumidifier etc.)

Thanks!
 
The Kobelt controllers look good,I will email them to see if the innards are also stainless/bronze. They are pricey, but it's not an item I would like to fail again.
 
bikedaft said:
The Kobelt controllers look good,I will email them to see if the innards are also stainless/bronze. They are pricey, but it's not an item I would like to fail again.
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Kobelt are commercial grade an would be capable of controlling most application but at a cost I am not sure that they are compatible with std 33c cables
the major corrosion problems occurred with fishermen using pot haulers and saltwater wet gloves as I recall
i would look at some of the Lexmark style levers and doing a regular check perhaps carrying a spare onboard and greasing or painting
 
scottie said:
Kobelt are commercial grade an would be capable of controlling most application but at a cost I am not sure that they are compatible with std 33c cables
the major corrosion problems occurred with fishermen using pot haulers and saltwater wet gloves as I recall
i would look at some of the Lexmark style levers and doing a regular check perhaps carrying a spare onboard and greasing or painting
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Kobelt controls are all bronze and stainless construction.

Theres two different connection kits availible for the two types of cable. 33c are fitted to one of our vessel. Think the boats on the 6th set of engines and cables prob more but original controller
 
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