Suzuki 140 Efi Fly by Wire Outboard Reviews
I take electronic throttle and shift controls on my boat, and I never wish to return to the good ol' days of cable controls for my single outboard. That said, the previous system served me well for 3 decades. Given that cable systems still offer more-than-satisfactory operation, is an upgrade to electronic — or drive-by-wire — controls really worth information technology? Hither are factors to assistance you decide.
Switching Controls
Making the switch from cablevision to electronic controls ordinarily coincides with the purchase of a new boat or outboard. That's because yous can't just add together electronic controls to an older outboard. The engine must be designed and built with drive-by-wire capabilities. While nearly all new multi-outboard boats now come equipped with drive-by-wire controls, a fair number of new single outboard boats feature cables.
If you're ordering a new boat — either through a dealer or mill direct — you volition likely accept the opportunity to specify the blazon of controls.
When re-powering an older boat, you tin choose to stay with cables or upgrade to drive-past-wire, which will dictate what type of engine you buy. Outboard brands such as Yamaha offering a choice betwixt mechanical and electronic engine controls on a number of models.
Cost Factors
A new engine with drive-by-wire controls costs more than i with conventional throttle and shift. Yamaha'south F200 with electronic controls, for example, costs around 6 per centum more than the mechanical version. What's more, the bulldoze-past-wire price does not include some rigging elements needed for electronic controls, including a binnacle and instrumentation. Unless you perform the rigging piece of work yourself, labor costs for upgrading to a drive-by-wire motor will likewise increase versus retrofitting with a mechanical engine. That's because the installing dealer needs to remove the former rigging and add together new elements, such equally a new control harness and sub-associates cables, engine-control module, binnacle, ignition key and showtime/stop switch, and engine instrumentation.
Captain Changes
A re-power can abound into a larger project than you might have originally budgeted when switching to a bulldoze-by-wire engine due to unanticipated complications. For example, there'due south no guarantee that the footprint for the new binnacle will match the old one.
When the footprints do non match, information technology leads to fiberglass and gelcoat repair work to patch the quondam mounting holes. Too, newer all-in-ane multifunction engine displays occupy a fraction of the space that old-schoolhouse private gauges required, often leaving a bunch of empty holes to fill up in the dash.
Based on these possible complications, some boaters opt to stay with mechanical models when replacing aging outboards, thus eliminating much of the extra rigging costs. Usually, the new mechanical outboard volition piece of work with the existing harnesses, controls and instruments, provided y'all stay with the same brand of outboard.
Easier Operation
Shifting and throttle adjustments become silky smooth with electronic controls. That's because there are no cables or complex mechanisms in the binnacle to demark up. Instead, electrical servos under the outboard hood respond to shift and throttle inputs.
At the press of a mere fingertip, you can advance the throttle from neutral to full throttle. It's that sensitive; a marvelous tool in the easily of an experienced and circumspect skipper.
For those who are uninitiated or more than accustomed to mechanical controls with more stiffness in the levers, such responsiveness can outcome in abrupt acceleration and lurching, which becomes particularly hazardous in tight quarters, such as a crowded marina. It can also put unprepared crew members at risk. They can fall to the deck or, even worse, become overboard.
The smoothness besides leads to a tendency to shift completely through the neutral position and into reverse when decelerating. That's crude on the gears and propeller hub.
To mitigate these issues, manufacturers have incorporated tension adjustments into electronic binnacles. This lets yous add together friction to the control lever to aid eliminate inadvertent and abrupt acceleration.
Multi-Outboard Features
Electronic controls ease the task of running multiple outboards. With Mercury Marine'south Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS), for case, a press of a button on the control box lets yous apply a single lever for shift and throttle of upwardly to four outboards. Another push on the DTS binnacle synchronizes the revolutions per minute for upwards to four motors.
Bulldoze-past-wire systems also facilitate the add-on of second helm stations in a tower. A second binnacle integrates with the electronic controls. A printing of a button transfers control.
The advent of electronic controls has also led to new features, such every bit Suzuki Marine'south troll mode for fine adjustments in the lower-rpm range, using a rocker switch when slow-trolling.
The Evinrude Icon Ii and Yamaha Captain Master binnacles feature engine-speed controls that work like cruise control in an machine. With the Yamaha system, once you reach your desired revolutions per minute, printing the speed-control push button to hold that velocity. Both systems allow you lot throttle upward or downward in minute increments to fine-melody your speed for maximum fuel efficiency or attain just the right -trolling speed.
Someday soon, the outboards -powering the vast bulk of salt-water fishing boats will characteristic electronic throttle and shift. And ultimately, that's a good thing. As I intimated at the get-go, in one case you experience this technology, y'all'll never want to go back to the old cablevision controls again.
Joystick Capability
Electronic throttle and shift controls also brand possible integrated joystick steering systems, some of which incorporate station-keeping features. The reckoner brains of systems such every bit Evinrude iDock, Mercury Joystick Piloting for Outboards, SeaStar Solutions Optimus 360 and Yamaha Captain Master appropriate the electronic throttle and shift, and combine it with independent outboard steering to point, pivot and move the boat in joystick mode.
Source: https://www.sportfishingmag.com/electric-throttle-or-cable-throttle-for-boat-control/
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