Official Twin engine DTS thread
- Thread starter JV II
- Start date
The "1 Lever" function:
Do not ever forget you are in "1 Lever" when maneuvering to dock or otherwise. You will not be able to rotate your boat. Forget that, and you will get scratches. I almost did, but reacted in time to realize I was in "1 Lever."
I use "1 Lever." all the time. It automatically selects the RPM for each engine considering drag from trim, cross current and wind. The engines will not be perfectly synched for that reason. If you hit the synch button, you will get equal RPM, but you will see your speed drop and hear the engines get louder as they work against the drag. Unsynch while in "1 Lever" and hear everything quiet down and see your speed and mpg go up as the RPM varies anywhere up to 100 rpm between engines. That's my little trick to squeeze a few extra miles out of a tankful.
Do not ever forget you are in "1 Lever" when maneuvering to dock or otherwise. You will not be able to rotate your boat. Forget that, and you will get scratches. I almost did, but reacted in time to realize I was in "1 Lever."
I use "1 Lever." all the time. It automatically selects the RPM for each engine considering drag from trim, cross current and wind. The engines will not be perfectly synched for that reason. If you hit the synch button, you will get equal RPM, but you will see your speed drop and hear the engines get louder as they work against the drag. Unsynch while in "1 Lever" and hear everything quiet down and see your speed and mpg go up as the RPM varies anywhere up to 100 rpm between engines. That's my little trick to squeeze a few extra miles out of a tankful.
Chris R
Member
- Mar 17, 2008
- 751
- Boat Info
- In between boats, now. Former boat: 2008 340 DA
- Engines
- 8.1 Horizons w/V-drives
I'll have to try that...I never knew it would work that way. Thanks for the tip.
RjVA
New Member
Hi all. I am looking at a 290 Amberjack with DTS. I had e a sea trial a few weeks ago and was very impressed with how smooth DTS shifted the v-drives. When docking, I was kind of difficult for me to be sure the engines were in neutral. This will come with some practice I am sure.
How do you guys like the docking mode on the DTS. I believe it just limites the trottle? How bout the trolling feature, what exactly does that do?
How do you guys like the docking mode on the DTS. I believe it just limites the trottle? How bout the trolling feature, what exactly does that do?
The neutral detent is a little vague. You do have to get used to the light feel to it and the neutral lights. Mechanical shifters are mainly tactile, while DTS shifters are tactile and visual.
I never use the docking mode because idle speed is plenty of power with the 8.1s.
I have never used the trolling feature. I do troll and find that the single lever and sync feature are plenty precise to troll at a speed appropriate for striper hits (2-3 knots).
ziekman@cox.net
Active Member
I use the "1 lever" all of the time, also. I find it much easier, in most situations, other than docking, or in where more precise handling is needed, of course. JV- are there any times when you use 1 lever and synche? Any idea if your trick works with inboards, or is it i/o specific? I usually synch when in 1 lever. I thought I heard somewhere that synching is always better, but that can't be the case, given you do have the option.
In one lever mode at cruise, my engines can be off by 150 RPM. At less than 1500 RPM, they are pretty close, below 1200 RPM they are exactly matched. In cruise, with one lever and synch they are exactly matched.
Redlined
New Member
I use the dock mode often, it helps mitigate an over responsive throttle when the current is strong. YMMV.
ziekman@cox.net
Active Member
You are dead on with the confusion over if you are in neutral or not - I can tell you from experience that you definately need to keep extremely alert and aware of where you are in regards to reverse/neutral/forward. It is very easy, at least for me, to think I'm in neutral, realize the boat isn't going where I want it to, and then only to look down and see that my port engine is in reverse, for example, but I thought it was in neutral. You are right, with practice, you will be fine. I haven't had this problem for a while now that I'm extral carelful not to take anything for granted.
RjVA
New Member
Ziekman, It's been much easier now that I've had a couple of months or so with the boat. I take the transmission's in and out of gear much more frequently when docking now that I have had some time behind the throttles. This tends to force you to "feel" the neutral. Just a little practice is all that is needed.
