Changing single lever to twin lever

JSP · 11 January 2009, 12:38

Me and my ald man have just been talking about changing his single levers for his twin inboards to 2x twin levers. And it got me thinking if I could change mine to a twin lever. I prefer using twin levers as I find them quicker and more responsive to use.
Anyone ever tried the conversion? And were does the best prices for both the unit and the links for the cables?

Downhilldai · 11 January 2009, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

... I prefer using twin levers as I find them quicker and more responsive to use.

You could get a Teleflex twin lever unit from Nautiquipe (stevetheboat on here)

Your 33c cables from the Yam control box should fit directly.

If you go down this route, there's nothing stopping you engaging/disengaging gears when the throttle is above idle setting, which isn't good. Someone inexperienced could grab the wrong lever to throttle back and end up hitting it into reverse at wot.

Also, you'll need a new trim switch and somewhere to fit it.

Mollers · 11 January 2009, 14:26

What would be the benefit on a single O/B rig?

JSP · 11 January 2009, 14:35

With out sounding patronising, Single lever means the lever controls both gears and throttle. So you would have two for two engines and one for one. Twin levers normally come with one lever longer than the other. The main lever controls the throttle and the smaller one controls the gears.
I just like them over single lever. You can keep the motor in gear with no revs and just blip rather than that clunk and pause you get with singles. Really nice when mooring.

JSP · 11 January 2009, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

You could get a Teleflex twin lever unit from Nautiquipe (stevetheboat on here)

Your 33c cables from the Yam control box should fit directly.

If you go down this route, there's nothing stopping you engaging/disengaging gears when the throttle is above idle setting, which isn't good. Someone inexperienced could grab the wrong lever to throttle back and end up hitting it into reverse at wot.

Also, you'll need a new trim switch and somewhere to fit it.

Sorry missed your post mate.

I'd go for the ones with different sized levers and let no tucker near it

Was thinking of fitting the kill switch, ignition and trim on the console.

JSP · 11 January 2009, 14:43

like this

Nos4r2 · 11 January 2009, 14:48

Something tells me you'll come to grief with that setup if you land awkwardly.

JSP · 11 January 2009, 15:55

You could be right there Nos. But the distance between the two should be enough and the console is wider than me (one of those BMC cast off's) so no chance of kneeing it either.
I'm throwing loads of ideas around about everything to do with this 5.4. Hope to be able to start work on it soon.

Poly · 11 January 2009, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Really nice when mooring.

...actually I would have thought that for tight manouveres when you want to be able to go in and out of gear quickly and get significant revs for steerage and then drop back to low revs - or blat it in reverse for a fraction of a second then it would be a PITA...

Mollers · 11 January 2009, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

With out sounding patronising, Single lever means the lever controls both gears and throttle. So you would have two for two engines and one for one. Twin levers normally come with one lever longer than the other. The main lever controls the throttle and the smaller one controls the gears.
I just like them over single lever. You can keep the motor in gear with no revs and just blip rather than that clunk and pause you get with singles. Really nice when mooring.

Yes, I fully understood the concept, but thanks for explaining for anyone that didn't.

I still don't see an advantage. If properly set-up, a single lever engages into gear at very little over tickover rpm and once engaged the loading drops the revs even lower. Whereas, with a two lever set-up there is the potential for banging into gear with a pile of revs on.

Downhilldai · 11 January 2009, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

.. a single lever engages into gear at very little over tickover rpm...

It engages at tickover RPM. The gear cable moves its full extent (fwd and rev) before the throttle is actuated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

.. with a two lever set-up there is the potential for banging into gear with a pile of revs on.

Exactly the point I made in an earlier post

Mollers · 11 January 2009, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

It engages at tickover RPM. The gear cable moves its full extent (fwd and rev) before the throttle is actuated.

Exactly the point I made in an earlier post

Yeah, yeah, but where's the benefit of Matey Boy's two lever set-up?

JSP · 11 January 2009, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Yes, I fully understood the concept, but thanks for explaining for anyone that didn't.

I still don't see an advantage. If properly set-up, a single lever engages into gear at very little over tickover rpm and once engaged the loading drops the revs even lower. Whereas, with a two lever set-up there is the potential for banging into gear with a pile of revs on.

It was with you saying

Quote:

What would be the benefit on a single O/B rig?

which seemed like you didn't know

It's all down to personal pref, I find them more precise to use and more responsive.

Nasher · 11 January 2009, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

but where's the benefit of Matey Boy's two lever set-up?

I have to say I really can't see one. Sorry JSP

Unless fiddling with two Knobs at once is what you like doing of course

Having used both systems I much prefer a single lever, but I suppose it is personal.

Nasher

JSP · 11 January 2009, 17:06

No problem nasher

Always wanted two knobs for extra pleasure

Like I say I like the set up but it's not to say I'll be doing it. Just floating ideas.

Downhilldai · 11 January 2009, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Yeah, yeah, but where's the benefit of Matey Boy's two lever set-up?

I can't see any benefit, unless he's running a jet drive.

JSP · 11 January 2009, 18:02

Unless newer controls are different you push the single lever, it engages gear and then goes. With the twins your already in gear letting you blip the throttle.

Nos4r2 · 11 January 2009, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Unless newer controls are different you push the single lever, it engages gear and then goes. With the twins your already in gear letting you blip the throttle.

If you're suggesting going into gear at more than tickover you'll have a smashed box very quickly.

JSP · 11 January 2009, 18:23

No, your already in gear and can blip the throttle.

Nos4r2 · 11 January 2009, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

No, your already in gear and can blip the throttle.

You can do that with a single lever though