Posts from Engine Forum
You can definately overcook the throttle with drive by wire, especially when docking. My first experiance with them was at the Miami Boat Show. we came out of the inlet and I took my hand off the throttles for a second to tweatk the trim tabs and we came over a wave and slammed just enough for both throttles to go to wide open immediately. Wheeeee! We launched of the next wave like we were in a Bond movie. As it turns out the artificial feel was adjusted too light...you think?
Alan
From the mechanic's vantage: as an initial set-up, they're marvelous. Slick as goose poo. But, they demand precision control. The cables of yore would cover you if you hit a wave and bouncxed against the shifter, knocking it towards reverse, or forward with more throttle. The fly-by-wires are unforgiving at that end. After a period of time, the items the F-B-W are controlling begin to build resistance in salt water, so if the customer isn't on a regular maintenance schedule for his engine, he may find F-B-W to be less effective than the old manual cables.
Just to throw my thoughts in to the Toyota fray, I don't think they've found the problem by introducing a shim. If I understand the WSJ article, the linkage shim prevents sticking upon acceleration. If I understand the problem as reported, the vehicles would accelerate on their own. My concept is that a sensor is providing the computer with erroneous information, and the computer is responding on its own that the engine needs to advance RPM. This might be a cruise control sensor, a cold-cylinder (or cold-start) sensor, or something along those lines. I still can't resolve in my mind a state trooper not having the presence of mind to throw the shift into neutral and let 'er blow.
I am really spoiled. A lot of boats I test have them and I love them. Once you get used to them (and there is a learning curve) you'll never go back, especially if you have a flybridge. The technology has been around a long time; the Airbus A320 was the first to feature them in a commercial production vehicle in 1984. I'm not that worried about problems.
edited by Alan Jones on 1/31/2010
According to Toyota, their out of control acceleration problems are a result of a faulty design (Toyota's or at least approved by Toyota) of electronic accelerator systems manufactured for them by CTS corporation.
Electronic fly-by-wire engine controls are either offered or are standard equipment on both inboard and outboard gas and diesel engines.
How would Toyota's problems influence your decision to incorporate electronic engine controls on your next boat?
Thanks. I will give them a try.