Volvo IPS - CMD Zeus

Pascal · 08-11-2008, 06:45 PM

has Zeus actually shipped out yet? Volvo seems to have a good head start on the technology, dont 'they?

as an owner, i'd like to know the replacement costs of the drives AND of some of the ECUs and primary components before making a decision... Cool is nice, but if you have to spend thousands of dollars to replace a bad ecu a few years down the line... yikes.

the peace of mind brought by pod technology is nice though... nice to know that the props, struts and rudders won't damage the hull...

NYCAP123 · 08-11-2008, 06:50 PM

Stefan,
I'm just a skeptical type person. Why would Cummins be sitting on such a valuable advertising tool and why wouldn't Volvo duplicate the test. I know that both units are meant to break away and seal the hull in the event of a catastrophic hit. I'm sure they've both worked it out on the computers, but does anyone know of either company smashing one into a concrete barrier, and where is the video? Also, "no further damage to the drive" after hitting a concrete barrier at 30 mph?

wolfsong · 08-11-2008, 08:00 PM

zeus has been out now for at least 1 1/2 years as far as i know.
we still had some set-up option and programming issues.. as it is with each new products, but it has been working so far pretty good.
our new , smaller yacht will be with mercruiser axius.. i just hope, it handles as same as good.
as for the test.. you find a write-up on several cmd reports, but i could not find the video online.. they showed it at our company once.

wolfsong · 08-11-2008, 08:03 PM

one advantage i see on the zeus is, that if you hit a object, it will definately damage your props on the ips. the zeus has a large trimtab just above the props, so when the unit get's sheered off, the tap stays with the drive and protects the hull as well as the props from damage.

hope that info helps

Pascal · 08-11-2008, 09:23 PM

soon after one of it's first appearance at a show, a demo driven by factory engineers (was it cruisers or tiara?) with IPS ran up a sandbar at high speed on the ICW. some broken bones i think, and some damage but the hull wasn't breached. the incident was widely reported back then 2 or 3 years ago.

I just get a a little nervous at the thought of computers running my steering gear thru servo motors/pumps... i know an hydraulic line can fail too but not as darmatically as having one set of props turned 30 degrees.

rip728 · 08-12-2008, 08:03 PM

Gents,

Props forward on IPS or aft on Zeus. Do you really believe the aft facing has any greater protection? I walked by a sterndrive the other day, all blades curled very nicely. Be it shafts, struts, lower unit housings, only a full keel helps prevent extreme propeller damage (oh, a little better navigation with all these new electronic toys helps as well).
Yes, a number of customers have cleaned off some Volvo Penta IPS drives. Rocks are very good at doing this. One of the drives might still be for sale on E-Bay.
As for electronic steering and engine control. The EPA has seen to it that the old technology is dead, as it will never meet today's standards. So we really have little choice. But mixing an engine manufacturers electronics, with a drive or transmission manufacturers product (say Yanmar/? or Cat/?) might be more troublesome perhaps. So a single company producing an entire package can be an advantage.

I hope you see my point here. I love what I see in future yachts like the Lazarra 92.

Alpina · 08-13-2008, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orion

Volvo now have a triple system ready

That's incorrect, IPS is for installations in even numbers only.

vivariva · 08-13-2008, 06:16 AM

I think Orion meant the number of 'engines' instead of 'propellers' in the post #1. i.e. Marquis 50, Cruisers 52SC, Absolute 56...

AMG · 08-13-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpina

That's incorrect, IPS is for installations in even numbers only.

Volvo Penta Sweden has suggested to me a triple IPS installation, so it must be possible...

YachtForums · 08-13-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpina

That's incorrect, IPS is for installations in even numbers only.

The IPS can be installed as a single, twin, triple or quad. The only limitations are software and beam.

Alpina · 08-13-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YachtForums

The IPS can be installed as a single, twin, triple or quad. The only limitations are software and beam.

Prove me wrong then, I've never heard of a single or triple.

K1W1 · 08-13-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpina

Prove me wrong then, I've never heard of a single or triple.

Hi,

There are a lot of very skilled and knowledgeable posters here so before laying down a challenge find something taxing to challenge

Triples: http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/russ...075&sl=en -gb

Quads: http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/russ...147&sl=en -gb

AMG · 08-13-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpina

Prove me wrong then, I've never heard of a single or triple.

Absolute Yachts have triple IPS/600 since 2006, Marquis is coming soon and I am sure there are others too...

Alpina · 08-13-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

There are a lot of very skilled and knowledgeable posters here so before laying down a challenge find something taxing to challenge

Triples:http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/russ...075&sl=en -gb

Quads:http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/russ...147&sl=en -gb

Hello again!
Sorry if the post was interpreted as offensive, it won't be repeated! The reason for putting the challenge out there was because I had searched to the best of my abilities without results, now I know better so I thank you!

Cheers

YachtForums · 08-13-2008, 12:50 PM

Just to clarify...

Volvo established a facility in Chesapeake, VA last year specifically to help boat builders incorporate the IPS system into existing and new hull types. For single or triple installations, a special insert is molded into the hull. I attended a press conference at this facility while a triple-mold was being faired. I have some pics of the event, including a shot under the hull of a triple rig installation, but can't seem to find 'em. Will post upon discovery.