Throttle friction tensioner - Tohatsu 15 or any

[Pogo123]

I don't have a lot of experience with outboards, but it appears that a throttle friction tensioner would make life a lot more comfortable.<br /><br />My Tohatsu is, thankfully, a very easy, short throw (or twist) throttle, but, even so, an hour or so of holding it gets to be a real chore.<br /><br />From my mototcycle racing days, I remember there were an add-on touring products that clamped to the grip housing, extended to the twist throttle and by which throttle tension could be easily set.<br /><br />Is there such a product for Outboards? ... I sure can't find one ... or ...has anyone else come up with another approach to this?

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Throttle friction tensioner - Tohatsu 15 or any

Your engine should have one on the tiller arm. You access it by rasing the tiller arm and then tightning the knob/screw.

 

[Pogo123]

Re: Throttle friction tensioner - Tohatsu 15 or any

News to me, Elvin .. and to the local dealer.<br /><br />I just took a flashlight and went out to look (it's 10:20PM here), in case I'd missed something ... I had not, but ...<br /><br />There IS a phillips screw in the underside of the grip (about 4" from the end of the grip/tiller arm) that the local dealer told me was to hold the grip to the tiller arm and that it was not a tensioner.<br /><br />I'll try it tomorrow morning. It wouldn't be the first time this dealer has mislead me.<br /><br />Thanks for your time, Elvin ...

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Throttle friction tensioner - Tohatsu 15 or any

That screw is for the grip...You must have an older model 2-stroke which did not have the tension adjustment feature. What is your model number? I'll look and see if one can be retrofitted for it.

 

[Pogo123]

Re: Throttle friction tensioner - Tohatsu 15 or any

It's an M15D2 351A, Elvin. Sold as a 2001, but produced in 2000.<br /><br />Yes, I took out the screw this morning and all it does is hold the grip onto the tiller. However ...<br />that screw goes through a teflon block and, if lenthened a bit, might just contact the throttle shaft allowing variable amounts of friction. <br /><br />I need to take this apart and see just what's under there. I can (and have) made very thin teflon strips for use as slide bearings or inserts which might be applicable here. I hesitate to increase any pure metal to metal friction as I could get into a "Lock/Unlock" situation.<br /><br />If there is a retrofit or later 15D2 part(s) that could be fitted, that would simplify things immensely.<br /><br />Barring that, I did locate a motorcycle touring throttle tensioner that I can make do the job ... pricey, though. Used to be $12 to $15 ... now near $40.<br /><br />Thanks for your time, Elvin .. I do appreciate it.

 

[Pogo123]

Re: Throttle friction tensioner - Tohatsu 15 or any

Well ... as so often happens, nothing is easy .. but then I guess if it were, everyone would be doing it ...<br /><br />There are no longer reasonably priced motorcycle aftermarket throttle cruise tensioners available. Seems they went away and off the market as they weren't a big seller nor a high profit item. I may find one in someone's "20 year box", but that's now an item for future searching (read: during the winter).<br /><br />There are also no later model tensioners that I could find which could be retro fitted to my engine ( a 2000 Tohatsu 15) ... as I said .. nothing is easy.<br /><br />Looking at this closely, however, I see where I can very likely make an assembly that will squeeze the tiller throttle rod between a teflon pad and an adjustable screw. I've drawn up a couple ideas and will work on it as time permits, but ... in the meantime .. I effected a simple "quick fix" that, while not particularly pretty, seems to work for now.<br /><br />There is a slot in the tiller top at the end nearest the engine through which I can look directly at the tiller throttle rod. My "band-aid" was to feed a nylon cable tie through the slot, from the top, wrap it around the rod and back out through the slot.<br /><br />Tightening it gradually while working the throttle gave "some" tension, but not enough even when as tight as I could pull it by finger (no pliers here). More tension was needed. Rather than pulling the tie tighter, I chose to go for more contact area.<br /><br />Eventually, I wound up with three cable ties installed next to each other which covers about a 3/4 inch length of throttle rod .. 4 ties gave too much and two was still not enough.<br /><br />As another interim step, later today I am going to cut a small rectangular nylon piece (about 1" X 3") with two 1/4" holes 1/2" apart (inside edge to inside edge and mount it against the under side of the tiller with the second or center cable tie. It will merely provide a brace across the open tiller casting for a cable tie from the opposite side.<br /><br />This will give a balanced pull on the throttle rod from opposite directions and prevent distorting the rod from only side loading it one way.<br /><br />Testing this rig was done very cautiously. I had tested it on the trailer many, many times, but still ... on the water I had a pair of cutters right by my hand in case I had to remove the tie(s) quickly.<br /><br />Fortunately, I found no bad habits and it appears to work well enough to make holding the throttle for extended periods far less a chore. <br /><br />It's not perfect (what is?), and I know I can make a more efficient adjustable assembly with either a set srcew or a control knob, but ... for now ... I'm good to go<br /><br /><br />Next on my list is a lateral tab for counteracting prop/steering torque. Little engines don't have adjustable tabs like their big brothers, but even small boat/engine combinations experience torque ... My goal is to have the rig run "trimmed out" at my favorite cruising speed. Eventually, I'll get there.