Single lever controls

ITH

ITH

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I have a 15 years old ZF single lever speed/clutch control system (single engine, two helm stations) which has given up the ghost. Failure has been gradual: sporadic engine hunting, not going into neutral, and finally, occasional complete loss of control - no joke when you're parking and you can't stop.

It has made me so twitchy that I would rather replace the complete control system, than try to get the actuator box sorted out. However the quote for a new ZF system made my eyes water and I wondered whether anyone could suggest an alternative? Did try the PBO Forum, but I guess MOBOs have more experience of engine control systems.

The boat is an 11m sailing yacht, with one control fitted on the outside binnacle and one fitted inside the pilot house. And to complicate matters it's currently in Sardinia.
 
Hi first of all I dont believe ZF actually made a control system but they may have more likely to have badged one such as TX
Can you post a photo if not some details such as how do you deselect the gear for neutral run up

Generally a twin station single lever control must have a method of connecting the 2 gear cables with a change over( as you cannot backdrive a single lever control ) and these can go out of adjustment through time try and see if this is the problem or is it the control head
what you are describing is common with side mount controls as they rely on a pin locating in a slot which must have distinct U but with wear and tear turn into >< and the pin just rides up the slope
does the problem occur with both controls (adjustment ) or just one (faulty control)
for info look at the vetus and teleflex web sites
 
Thanks Scottie and PFC. I'm in the UK right now so can't post pics. However it is certainly a ZF system - badged "MicroCommander," although of course it's no longer manufactured.

The two, single-lever control heads send electrical signals to an actuator box fitted in the engine room. The actuator then responds mechanically - via cables and rods to the throttle and clutch.

I think that the signals in the control heads are generated by potentiometers mounted on the control lever, but there are three 'detent' clutch points for neutral, forward and reverse; and further movement of the control lever increases the RPM.

I have had the problem with both control heads, so the fault may well be in the actuator box, rather than the heads. But as I said, having pranged the boat on a couple of accasions I am so twitchy about the system, that I want to replace it.

I'll have a look at Vetus and Teleflex, as suggested, Ta.
 
Hi forget all said before
assumed mechanical controls
yes electronic controls are expensive micro commander was one of the 1st systems and maybe not the best
you will need compedent advice to sort this out
a USA boating site may give reasonable help
try searching micro commander problems or similar

regards

http://www.atlantismarine.co.uk/Images/User//File/585CE [585CE&813CE] Manual [English].pdf
Mathers MicroCommander electronic marine engine controls for ... Mathers microcommander electronic boat controls systems greatly increase ... Please report any problems with this site to webtech@controlmastersinc.com. ...
www.controlmastersinc.com/microcommander.htm - Similar
More results from www.controlmastersinc.com »
 
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electronic controls

Electronic controls are usually very reliable, I have fitted and used many and prefer these over the conventional cables. The morse KE4 is quite a good system and is quite easy to fit and set up, and not too badly priced compared to others. If you are having problems with an older system and lost faith in it, its often better and cheaper to start again as when they get older looms and connections can start to deteriorate and you can keep chasing the fault.
 
ITH said:
PFC:
You say there's no problem in converting back to mechanical. I'd be grateful if you could you steer me in the direction of possible systems/suppliers?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Any chandler will be able to supply a single lever control and cables. Keypart do very low friction cables and probably controls as well.
The worst part of the job is running the cables.
Vetus do the whole thing and their dual station module is the best one I have used. 26 years without any adjustment.
The best thing to do is to have a look on someone else's boat and see how it is all set up.
 
options

Somebody has spent a reasonable amount of money at some time fitting the electronic system especially in a 35ft boat? Why would they do this it approx 5-10 times the cost
why not speak to the builder and get their thoughts and what they offerred as standard
Normally dual station mechanical syetems should work ok in this size of boat as long as the runs are not too complex although twin lever controls are much easier to set up for dual staion if you have room for them
short term a single lever control at one station may be an option

let us know how you get on
scottie
 
I installed my dual station system 27 years ago. It was not difficult and is smoother than many "professional" single station set-ups.
I might be interested in doing the job for you if you thow in a free weeks holiday for me and SWMBO while I'm doing it!
Then again a new electronic set-up might work out cheaper than that!!!
 
ZF Mathers

Mathers Controls along with Kobelt are the quality manufacturers of marine controls. TX and all the Italian cable stuff is not in the same universe.

ZF used to market products manufactured by Mathers Controls and then with the advent of electronic engines and gearbox controls took Mathers over, about eight years ago. They are gradually dropping the Mathers name. I gets even more complicated when you realise that much of the Volvo engine control gear and for that matter most other engine manufacturers comes out of the ZF Mathers plant in the U.S.

Microcommander has been replaced by Microcommander 9000, however like all stuff out of the U.S product support is ongoing. I would contact ZF Mathers customer service direct in the U.S. tell them of your problems, worth cost of a call to the land where customer is king.

Completely replacing with Microcommander 9000 will be around three thousand bucks.
 
scottie said:
Somebody has spent a reasonable amount of money at some time fitting the electronic system especially in a 35ft boat? Why would they do this it approx 5-10 times the cost
why not speak to the builder and get their thoughts and what they offerred as standard
Normally dual station mechanical syetems should work ok in this size of boat as long as the runs are not too complex although twin lever controls are much easier to set up for dual staion if you have room for them
short term a single lever control at one station may be an option

let us know how you get on
scottie
Click to expand...

Thanks Scottie: I have asked the original builder (Nauticat), but since the boat is 23 years old, it may be a while for a reply, and I think that the controls may have been a retro-fit rather than OE.

I am trying to understand/see alternative mechanical systems in a practical setting - rather than in a manufacturer's catalogue. I don't think there would be any problem with the lower helm, which is positioned close to the engine compartment, but the upper one is mounted on a binnacle towards the stern, which may be difficult in terms of both length of cable run and bends.

Grateful for your inputs tho' and I'll certainly keep the forum posted on the outcome.
 
PFC said:
I installed my dual station system 27 years ago. It was not difficult and is smoother than many "professional" single station set-ups.
I might be interested in doing the job for you if you thow in a free weeks holiday for me and SWMBO while I'm doing it!
Then again a new electronic set-up might work out cheaper than that!!!
Click to expand...

Cheaper? - I suppose that depends on how much pasta you consume in a week. Thanks for the encouragement tho'.
 
Latestarter1 said:
Microcommander has been replaced by Microcommander 9000, however like all stuff out of the U.S product support is ongoing. I would contact ZF Mathers customer service direct in the U.S. tell them of your problems, worth cost of a call to the land where customer is king.

Completely replacing with Microcommander 9000 will be around three thousand bucks.
Click to expand...

I've been in touch with the UK distributor - Atlantis Marine, and they have given me a quote of £1700 for the new 9110 processor and two new control heads. Given their list prices I thought that was a fair offer. Of course I would still have to get the system installed (in Sardinia), since I don't feel confident of DIY! But is won't cost anything to get it out there, via EasyJet. The engineer I talked to at Atlantis said the instruction/installation manuals were very clear, so I guess it could be done by a competent marine engineer, rather than a 'specialist.'

Thanks for your input.
 
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