DTS conversion

Cincy Aquaholic

Cincy Aquaholic

Active Member
Mar 15, 2009
1,329
Cincinnati
Boat Info
290 SS - 2016 Ford F250 Powerstroke
Engines
Twin 5.7 with Bravo 1's
Has anyone converted their standard controls to DTS or looked into the possibility?

I'd love to know if its possible and if so what all is involved? Would it be cost prohibitive?

I just don't like the effort involved in shifting my controls.
 
Any idea on the cost? I saw some gear on ebay (controls for $500, wiring harnesses for $250) and was wondering if there was more gear and modifications needed. What all is involved. May have to run this one by my dealer.
 
I have driven the DTS boats several times now and it is vastly better than the mechanical version on my boat. That said, conversion would make no sense given the cost and complexity. You have to install quite a bit of mechanical parts in addition to electrical connections, and then the system has to be fine-tuned with proper adjustments so that it knows the precise shift points vis-a-vis the actuators used in the system as well as the throttle connections. Take a look at a boat with the system and you'll see the basic pieces on top of the engine, as well as on the transom next to the drive. I'll pass on this upgrade but would be interested to hear if anyone has seriously looked into it.
 
Are you looking for just a single control that controls both the transmissions and throttle? They do make them in either cable or electronic versions.

Doug
 
Thanks. Doug, yes, I would keep the single dual shifter/controls. Here is what I have now.

P4170014.jpg


My port shifter is pretty hard to engage so the dealer is going to looking into fixing that. When its fixed I may not be as interested but it would seem to be a nice upgrade.
 
Cincy Aquaholic said:
Thanks. Doug, yes, I would keep the single dual shifter/controls. Here is what I have now.

P4170014.jpg


My port shifter is pretty hard to engage so the dealer is going to looking into fixing that. When its fixed I may not be as interested but it would seem to be a nice upgrade.
Click to expand...

Ok, so you have the single manual controlled shifter. Like others have stated, the DTS would probably be a tough retrofit. I am not too familiar with the DTS myself (I asked a similar question a few days ago actually) but I know that an electronic version of what you have can be retrofitted to a typical Vdrive and outdrive setup.

Give Teleflex a call and ask for details on their KE-4 system.

http://www.teleflexmarine.com/document/productpdf/document1002_5_1065.pdf

Doug
 
Hmmm, Doug that seems like an interesting product. I'm trying to understand the difference between the Teleflex and Mercs DTS? I'm not really sure I follow how that system works "with" the mechanical system I have now. Can you explain a little more if you know? How does the electronic version differ and at what point in the system does it remain mechanical if that makes sense?
 
Cincy
I asked my dealer and he said it would be roughly $3k all said and done. For your boat you may have some of the newer components I would need to do it. I really like the idea, but there are a lot more components than the controller(shifter) and harness. It's the brackets, new actuators, cable run and labor. You'll have that x 2(except for controller)

I'll look for it on the next boat. If you do elect to spend the $, please let us know how it goes and what that cost is.
 
Glendinning's systems will fit any boat, any transmission. Never heard of a boat that couldn't be outfitted with electronic controls. But you're talking some serious boat dollars here...
I'm as much of a gadget hound as anyone, but this is one area that I can't see spending thousands of dollars. Then a bunch more for a optional manual backup in case the elec's go down and you don't want to be stranded. Really, how much effort is there in shifting a cable-operated shift/throttle system?

If too much effort is required to move the levers, adjust (loosen)the screw that provides the tension to prevent throttle creep.

http://www.glendinningprods.com/smart_actuator2.html
 
DTS is absolutely awesome. Shifting and throttle movement is so easy and precise. BUT, it is one more thing to go wrong. I believe it to be very durable and reliable, but it's still one more "thing".

Just something else to think about.
 
Lazy Daze said:
DTS is absolutely awesome. Shifting and throttle movement is so easy and precise. BUT, it is one more thing to go wrong. I believe it to be very durable and reliable, but it's still one more "thing".

Just something else to think about.
Click to expand...

DTS is awesome!:thumbsup: Smooth shifts, no grinding. Throttle is extremely precise and response to input is instantaneous. I won't have another boat without it...Of course, my opinion may change if the thing breaks...
 
I'm not understanding the "smoothness" thing...and there's absolutely no "grinding" (ouch). My trannies shift smoothly, solidly and with absolutely no noise or vibration. But then, you're talking about I/O transmissions and I'm talking about hydraulic inboard Twin-Disc.

Still don't get it, guess I'd have to run a boat that has it. I just don't see how much easier and simpler it can get than a cable system. Dual stations, that would be a different story.
 
It shifts very similar (as far as pressure needed/easily) to your inboard. With a stern drive, if you shift into gear too slowly, you will "grind the gears". This possibility is eliminated with DTS as it does the physical shifting for you back at the engine.

Smoothness (aside from actually shifting into gear being smoother) of throttle lever - moves with less effort and absolutely no "slop". Much more precise than cables.

It's a night and day difference when comparing non-DTS I/O's to DTS I/O's. Less of a difference when compared to an inboard/V-drive.
 
Lazy Daze said:
It shifts very similar (as far as pressure needed/easily) to your inboard. With a stern drive, if you shift into gear too slowly, you will "grind the gears". This possibility is eliminated with DTS as it does the physical shifting for you back at the engine.

Smoothness (aside from actually shifting into gear being smoother) of throttle lever - moves with less effort and absolutely no "slop". Much more precise than cables.

It's a night and day difference when comparing non-DTS I/O's to DTS I/O's. Less of a difference when compared to an inboard/V-drive.
Click to expand...

What he said.
 
Lazy Daze said:
It shifts very similar (as far as pressure needed/easily) to your inboard. With a stern drive, if you shift into gear too slowly, you will "grind the gears". This possibility is eliminated with DTS as it does the physical shifting for you back at the engine.

Smoothness (aside from actually shifting into gear being smoother) of throttle lever - moves with less effort and absolutely no "slop". Much more precise than cables.

It's a night and day difference when comparing non-DTS I/O's to DTS I/O's. Less of a difference when compared to an inboard/V-drive.
Click to expand...

One more reason to prefer reliable inboards over troublesome stern drives. Teleflex offers TFXtreme control cables that offer improved feel. If that is important to you, you might consider it, but it probably would work better with inboard power.
 
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