I agree with all of that. I rarely take my hand off the throttle. Mine will return at high speed, and that is no problem for me. I might try a longer spring and see if I can improve it. I might even try a foot feed. The difference in speed control is pretty dramatic with the proper springs. It is "curious" to me that they are not commonly used. jim
Greg, As I said before, I think I misunderstood the instructions given to me. I was working off the information that Jim provided on page 1 of this thread; "I use a set of springs to eliminate the play. On your Merc the spring on the motor end is the easiest one of all. Put it between the big throttle lever on the port side of the motor and something in the rear of the engine like a head bolt. Even better would be to rig it to the cable end that attaches to the big throttle lever. As I recall the Opti has something in the way in that area, but I am sure that you can figure something out. I put a second spring somewhere on the throttle control itself to help return the cable and mechanism. We don't need to beat this to death with exactly how to rig them. What you need to do is have as light (and long) spring possible so that when you retard the throttle handle the springs retard the engine throttle and keep all the play out of the system. If you look at it that way, I think you can visualize how to rig them. If the springs are too strong the throttle will tend to close when you let go at the low speeds. If the springs are too weak the play will not be removed. When the springs are right the throttle will (tend) to stay put at 17. Even when the springs are right the throttle will tend to close if you let it go at high speed. You will have to live with this. As I recall, you are a pilot and will understand that I believe that you should NEVER take you hand off the throttle at high speed, so the issue is moot." I tried placing the springs on the front of the throttle linkage as I couldn't put the boat on the trailer that day. I thought it was worth a try. I haven't opened up the throttle control unit yet, but that may be next. Either way, I've got lots of springs to try in the spring. Cheers, Kevin
OK, Just to clarify. I use one RETURN spring on the motor attached AT the cable attach point. This may be all you need. I use one RETURN spring on the throttle/shift hand control attached to the mechanism. This takes some of the load off the cable which is good because I have a push for power set up. jim
Jim, Greg, I knew I wasn't doing this right and that's why I posted the pics for others to look at. Now that I've seen Jim's diagram and the picture Greg posted, I know what I'll try next. If I get it rigged right, I'll post some pics for the next person who wants to try this with a 2.5 Optimax. I've got other stuff that I will need help with. I've intentionally spread my posts out here so I don't become "too much" of a bother. Not many people ask for what we want out of these motors. Like you've mentioned before Jim, a large number of these outboards are on fishing boats and are operated with a 2 position throttle: neutral + wide open!! I imagine someday all these motors will be operated with digital controls, as in; boat-by-wire. Kevin
Kevin Sounds like you are on the right track now. Ask away with whatever questions. I love Perfect Pass on my boat. It just works. Holds whatever speed. I normally run in RPM mode. It fluctuates as much as 30rpm. Thats it! If you are working to a budget we can get you a second hand outboard system if required. Can get them with the 5" display you are after also. Greg
Greg, How do you disengage the perfect pass in case of emergency ? ( With cruise control on your car you just step on the brake.) Bob
Hi Bob I've tried twice to post a detailed explanation with pictures but for some reason the attachments refuse to upload and I lose what I wrote. By design and in practice Perfect Pass can NEVER give more throttle than you give by hand. If you give it full, half or no throttle it can never give more than you set from the drivers seat. If you want to stop just pull the throttle back and you stop. Its very clever. Let me know if you want the gory details of how it does this and I'll write it up in word and paste it here (won't be doing it a fourth time...) Greg
Here is some food for thought. Take a look at Kevin's first picture of his springs. Look at the throttle cam and notice how abrupt the throttle butterfly movement is with the slightest opening of the throttle mechanism. Is you motor a little hair trigger close to idle? I modified my throttle cam as part of the mods to my motor. jim
