Controls & Throttle
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Questions
+ How will throttle and gear shift run?
-> From my understanding, there isn’t any gear shift in a beta. There is just a forward, neutral and reverse. Those are each indicated by the position of the throttle. At this time, I believe the throttle will be placed in the aft portion of the cockpit seat. Either starboard or port, though port seems best since I would be using my right hand to move the throttle while in this steering position.
The only thing I don’t quite understand is how straight the throttle lines need to run from the engine or can they bend at all? There is also some concern as to how to get the lines to inside the sea locker if it is water-tight. I could run the throttle lines via the nav-station, through the conduit and to the throttle, but that would most likely be too many turns for the throttle line…
-> There is more information about this topic as mentioned in “Single Lever Control” manual from Beta however when I looked for the single lever control manual in the owners manual (3/9) and I didn’t see it. I guess this will be something I have to research or call Beta about.
-> On 3/15 I gave Beta Marine a call and spoke with Farron about this topic. I asked him about the single lever control manual and he said that they aren’t referring to an actual manual, but to a manual lever. The controls are a basic single level quadrant that operates both the throttle and the clutch. A single position 12 o’clock gives you neutral and idle, and if you push it forward it gives you forward momentum. Operates off of two very conventional cables, Moris 33 C cable, they can route through all convoluted ways, but don’t want to have much more than an 18” radius. In general, it’s better to run them loosely if possible.
-> I’ve been giving this more thought (3/16) and now realize that I need to move the engine throttle to the aft lazarette well of the cockpit so that the cockpit sole grate will be able to lift and raise out of the well and be placed on blocks. I tested how that would be as far as reachability and found that it was quite easy to reach the controls in that position. The only thing I’m a little concerned about is the interaction between the throttle and the manual bilge pump I have planned for the lazarette. The two will be “stacked” so I need to figure out exactly the height of the throttle which, at this time, is planned to be on the bottom of the two so the controls don’t stick above the lazarette. None of the catalogues I have on hand at this time are showing dimensions for the throttle, but they almost look like they are maybe…12″ tall? The gusher pups are 8″H x 4 1/8″W x 5 3/4″L. So, while I don’t have 100% accurate knowledge of the fitting size, I have a 80% confidence that unmeasured (at this time) these two pieces will fit next to each other and will continue to plan accordingly.
+ What size is the engine panel?
-> The ABV panel is 18cm L x 14cm H (From online measurements). Though, I should verify that in real life….
-> I’ve verified the size, it is 18L x 14H x 10.5D.
-> The above engine room locker is 62.5L x 20.5H x 19D.
+ Where will the engine controls be placed?
-> I have considered placing them in the above engine room locker. Here’s why I decided to put it in the above engine room locker:
- While I can’t see the engine RPMs while in the cockpit, I will get a feel for the engine based on the location of the throttle and the hull speed
- I would still be able to get to the engine controls while just leaning in over the companionway, not really that big of a deal. Admittedly though, a quick stop button would be nice to have immediately at hand
- The panel will be much more protected than in the cockpit
- Less lines through the below cockpit sole area
- No corrosion of the ignition switch that would result in the starter motor being permanently energized and burning out
+ Where will the throttle be placed?
-> On one of the sea locker sides, behind the tiller, port or starboard and sure to not avoid with pumping the manual bilge pump located in the lazarette bulkhead.
-> As of 12/2011, this has changed. I now plan to install the throttle below the traveler and the manual bilge pump located in the forward cockpit well wall.
+ What gauges are on the engine controls?
-> They are….
- RPM Gauge
- Hour counter
- No Starter Battery Charge (Red)
- High Engine Temperature (Red)
- Low Oil Pressure (Red)
- Power On Light (Green)
- Key (Incl. Heat, Off, Run & Start)
- Stop Button
- Buzzer (Built-in)
+ Are the engine controls and throttle mounted in different locations?
-> Yes.
Research
- Engine controls mounted in the footwell wall, if not recessed or protected by a bar are susceptible to damage from an arrant foot or dropped winch handle…Another method of protecting the engine instruments is a Plexiglas cover that is hinged above the panel. (Upgrading the Cruising Sailboat, p. 176)
- With tiller-steering, the engine controls are usually placed on the side of the cockpit well. Wherever they are located, it is important to be able to operate them while steering the boat and to do so without a loss of visibility. If a single control is used (as opposed to separate throttle transmission controls), it can often be operated by foot, which increases the range of installation options. Wherever the controls are located, they need to be placed so that they are not likely to get fouled by loose halyards or sheets. (Cruising Handbook, p. 84)
- Some thought has to be given what will be underwater if the cockpit floods. Commonly, the engine panel is located in the side of the cockpit well….When the going gets tough is not the time for the boat’s engine electrical circuits to short out. It is better have the pane in the coaming that in the well…such an installation also protects the key and switches from being snagged by people and lines….On our last boat, we placed the panel below decks in the navigation station. The minor inconvenience of having to go below decks to crank and shut down the engine, in my opinion, was more than compensate for by the fact that after 15 years, the panel was still as corrosion-free as the day it was installed. (There is no great need to have the gauges in the cockpit; given an engine overheat or low oil-pressure situation, the alarms would have alerted us.) (Cruising Handbook, p. 92)
- Two control cables are fastened to the control plate linkage, led fair to the linkage on the engine, adjusted and fastened tight. One need only to be certain that no sharp bends occur in the cables that might hamper movement of the inner wire in its sheath, and that the nut and barrel on each end be adjusted so that the gears, both forward, neutral and reverse, engage positively, and that full throttle on the lever corresponds with full open on the engine throttle lever. (Upgrading the Cruising Sailboat, p. 144)
- Connecting the wiring harness on the BMW simply involved snapping one end into the back of the engine and the other into the rear side of the ignition and instrument panel. (Upgrading the Cruising Sailboat, p. 143)
Product List
- 8′ Uflex mach-zero 33c type cable (for use with Vetus Lever Control)
- Instrument Wiring
- SISCO Vetus single lever control