4.2.3 Throttle

The throttle is a system designed to control the revolutions of the engines and the speeds to the gear boxes by means of an electric signal.
The throttle have following performance features and functions.

• Sequential inverter and engine speed;
• Start interlock;
• High/low idle;
• Engine synchronization for several thrusters;
• Trolling solenoid valve control;
• Emergency protection against inversion;
• Inverter oil pressure interlock (optional).

These features and functions make lever group use easier.

1. Throttle of port engine/inverter
2. Throttle of starboard engine/inverter
3. WARM UP button
4. Control indicator – port
5. TROLLING button
6. Throttle indicators – port
7. Gear and mode indicators – port
8. COMMAND button
9. SINGLE LEVER button
10. Gear and mode indicators – starboard
11. Throttle indicators – starboard
12. Control indicator – starboard

• SINGLE LEVER button (9): it allows the activation of the SINGLE LEVER mode (after authorisation by means of the COMMAND button).
• COMMAND button (8): it activates the throttle levers station and allows to confirm the activation of all the other operative modes.
• WARM UP button (3): it activates the WARM UP mode (prior authorization by COMMAND button).
• TROLLING button (5): it activates the TROLLING mode (prior authorization by COMMAND button). The TROLLING mode is an optional feature.
• Control indicator (4 and 12): it indicates the status of the port/starboard lever and reports the errors.
• Throttle indicators (6 and 11): they indicate the level of throttle requested by port/starboard lever.
• The more throttle is requested, the higher is the number of lights activated.
• Gear and mode indicators (11 and 14): In THROTTLE mode, they are both ON in solid blue if the port/starboard lever is in neutral. When the lever is in forward position, the top LED is ON in solid blue. When the lever is in backward position, only the bottom LED is in solid blue. In SINGLE LEVER mode, they are both on in fixed blue if the control lever is in neutral. When the lever is in forward position, the top LEDs are ON in solid blue. When the lever is in backward position, the bottom LEDs are ON in solid blue. In WARM UP and TROLLING modes they flash in blue giving an indication on the active operational mode.

The lights on the control panel of the control level provide information on the operational conditions of the system.

Control taking stages

• Make sure the throttle are in neutral. The station cannot take control when the levers are in other positions.
• Press twice the throttle switching on button, the LEDs go on indicating that the throttle is active.

WARNING

The following movement of the group lever of the throttle will engage the gear.

• Start engine and the neutral control at the same time. If the levers of the lever group are not in neutral, the interlock switch will not allow engine starting.
• Move the levers to the stop backward or forward. The drive system starts.

Basic operation
The throttle has three stops: backward, neutral, and forward.
With the throttle positioned on the “Neutral detent” stop, the system sends the neutral control and idle revolutions per minute.
By moving the lever of the throttle forward “Astern detent” or backward “Ahead detent” by 15° the backward/forward clutch engages.
The engine runs at the idle revolution number.
By moving the lever further, the engine revolution number increases proportionally compared to the lever of the throttle.

CAUTION

The neutral stop (central position of the throttle movement) is 10° forward.
The moving degrees are measured from this position, not from the vertical one.