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Electronic engine controls: good or bad?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by motoryachtlover, Nov 6, 2020.

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  1. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Was that the Wesport 112' in the late 90's? I remember that back then, tried to take the Atlantic blvd bridge out.
  2. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Yes. Not positive the make, but the size is about right.
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I was around then, turned out to be low voltage to the micro commanders. They ate at Houston's and upon startup, boat went into forward with quite a bit of power.
  4. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Same event. It was startling, to say the least. Left an impression on me in terms of choosing gear, making decisions like this one being discussed. Of course, with the new Cats I had no choice but to go electric, and I chose Kobelt. Had good success minus the lightening.
  5. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Fair enough, that sounds acceptable. I mean, the boat reaction, not the controls fault, of course!
  6. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    That would have been also my preference.
    But it's fair to say that the ZF stuff usually mated to Cat engines is not bad, either.
  7. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The CAT OEM sturdy brand of controls are the most reliable and rugged from what I've seen.
  8. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Had I gone ZF versus TD I likely would have used their stuff.
  9. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    CAT controls weren't available to give me the palm beach helm. Kobelt was, and they were easy to install, use, and rely upon.
  10. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    They make the ones for a palm beach helm and sell them through the CAT dealer.....the shifter comes out of a CAT box.
  11. bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    I have the ZF Micro Commander controls on Cats. Learned the low power problem is from incorrect install. The APS is an automatic power selector which takes power from two separate battery banks and supplies power the to the processors. If it looses power it will automatically switch to the other battery source. You can power processors direct with a toggle breakers to keep it simple. Also, power can be left on continuous, they only draw .05 amps. Definitely will check install and wire direct to eliminate the potential problem.
  12. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Zf mathers
  13. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Consider running your power supply through a DC to DC transformer/conditioner. Newmar makes them.
  14. bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Thanks, I read about the low voltage problem ours are same as your controls.
  15. bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Thanks, will be checking how they are wired soon.
  16. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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