I know these are not the most desirable controls to have on a twin rig, but it is what we got. Besides a normal cleaning and regreasing, is there anything I can do the the controllers over the winter to make them work better, easier, or more precisely?
Since we replaced all of our twin controls over last winter, we have a set or two of Yamaha dual binnacle controls laying around. If you want them they are yours, you pay the shipping.
Thank you, both of you, for the quick responses! I think the biggest problem is that they are stiff, or hard to move. I have seen the posts about setting up a return spring, so you are not constantly fighting the free play in the cables, we have not done that, yet. There is some stress cracks in the gelcoat where the controls mount, that is going to get some attention.
Daniel, I could be your cables are seizing up. They guy I bought my twin rig from changed out all 4 cables. Bob
I have considered the cables as a problem, also. I heard sometimes you can remove the cables, hang them in a garage attic, going down to the floor, and over a period of time work oil down into them, and the cable works a lot easier. I also have not ruled out the possibility that the levers inside the motor move a little stiff, and if that is the case, the cables would only multiply that force, through each bend. Add in a slightly stiff control box, and it is becomes very hard to control the engines precisely. About how often do people change the cables in their team's twin rigs?
You could try disconnecting the throttle cables at the front and see if the box is smooth. Usually what happens to the cables is that the inner teflon or plastic liner wears through and you have metal to metal contact causing friction. This usually happens at a bend. If so, replace them with either original equipment or a high quality aftermarket cable. Don't buy the cheap ones. They will not last. I have never had one of those shifters apart. Usually the grease inside a shifter hardens after years of use with no maintenance and does not do it's job. Most of them are pretty crude and need all the lube they can get. I have heard of steering cables being hung up like that, but I would not do it. jim
Re-lubing may get you a little more life out of them, as long as the lube you use does not react with the liner material (usually teflon). Best option is replace cables. Our twin rig, we ended up replacing cables about every year (sometimes can make it two). we got a new BRP throttle this year with better cables, and it still works perfectly. On our triple, I believe we still have the same cables we installed when we built it (2003?). All depends on the cables you use and how they are routed. Use better cables and keep the bends as large as possible.
The 3000 series may be the crappiest control ever made. We had one in our very first year of a twin rig, and it was worthless as every other ski team has found. The control was all plastic inside and had tons of slop. The Yamaha control is far superior.
