Tohonda 60 Rigging: ECU vs VHF?

[TomRay]

I just bought a new Honda 60 with a Tohatsu paint job and noticed in the rigging manual that you're not supposed to put a VHF radio, antenna, or antenna wire near to the engine controls and tachometer. I may not be able to get the recommended separation. What happens when a VHF component is too near to an ECU? And what is an ECU, anyway? Will the radio interfere with the engine/instruments, or will the instruments interfere with the radio, or both? What problem am I trying to prevent here and how serious is it?

 

[Sea Rider]

I just bought a new Honda 60 with a Tohatsu paint job ? Most VHF radios are installed in same dashboard next to other instruments. Most common instruments are cable wired not wireless, so you should experience no electrical related issue. ECU is the engine's main computer system that controls just everything, that's if being electronically controled Etec type engine. Is mounted inside engine's cowl, not on dashboard...

Happy Boating

 

[TomRay]

No Title

I'm referring specifically to this page in the Tohatsu rigging and setup guide. It suggests that both radios and GPS units can interfere with the ECU.

 

[TomRay]

http://www.tropicalboating.com/imagestr/vhf-ecu.gif

 

[Sea Rider]

Don't get it, you have a Honda, not a Tohatsu right ? If so, check Honda's tech specs about gadgets installations. ECU could be better shielded and not be affected so much as a Tohatsu ? Anyway, how far are you from ideal distance installation as per drawing ?

Happy Boating

 

[TomRay]

Tohatsu engines from 60-250 hp are now manufactured by Honda. Every part in my Tohatsu matches the Honda 60 service manual I just bought and the valve cover is stamped "Honda" but the engine is painted black and has Tohatsu labels. It's a Tohonda! (The service manual came with an "I love my Honda" bumper sticker, which I'm considering slapping on the outboard.)

The drawing suggests installing the radio on the opposite side of the boat. Our is a pontoon boat with a side console and no other furniture of any kind. I don't want to just sit a VHF out on the open deck, so installing it in the console is the only option. The console is only two feet wide. There's no way to achieve anything like the recommended separation for the radio itself and its antenna wire will inevitably be in the cluster with tach wires, etc.

 

[pvanv]

As always, the ECU is the Engine Control Unit (the computer). Review your owner's manual from http://www.tohatsu.com/tech_info/own...1-ZZ3-T000.pdf
Nothing there indicates an issue with vhf radios or GPS receivers.
There are No service bulletins for the 4-stroke 60's either.
Of course, it is always best to keep different RF-generating devices as far away from each other as reasonable.

 

[TomRay]

As always, the ECU is the Engine Control Unit (the computer). Review your owner's manual from http://www.tohatsu.com/tech_info/own...1-ZZ3-T000.pdf
Nothing there indicates an issue with vhf radios or GPS receivers.
There are No service bulletins for the 4-stroke 60's either.
Of course, it is always best to keep different RF-generating devices as far away from each other as reasonable.

I have read the owner's manual. It assumes the owner is starting with a boat that is properly rigged.

It's the rigging manual that says there could be a problem.

I did not believe that a GPS receiver could really create a problem, so I went ahead and installed mine before breaking in the engine the other day. It seemed to work fine as far as electronic stuff goes.

I have not yet installed the VHF.

I'm pleased with the new engine. It is a high-thrust version and the prop has a rubber gasket between hub and lower unit. I've never seen that before. It prevents the prop from spinning freely in neutral. What is the purpose of this gasket?

The engine runs a bit rough when shifted into forward or reverse at dead idle. Idle RPM is 850 as recommended and the roughness goes away with the slightest increase in throttle. Could that be related to prop gasket drag? Or do I need to adjust the idle RPM?

The 50 degree steering is great. Our boat used to take several lengths to turn around, now can spin in its own length!

 

[Sea Rider]

When "rough" is it related to forward shifting or just idle speed ? By rough you mean engine not idling even ? Has the engine compleated its break in time already ?

Happy Boating

 

[pvanv]

I have read the owner's manual. It assumes the owner is starting with a boat that is properly rigged.

It's the rigging manual that says there could be a problem.

I did not believe that a GPS receiver could really create a problem, so I went ahead and installed mine before breaking in the engine the other day. It seemed to work fine as far as electronic stuff goes.

I have not yet installed the VHF.

I'm pleased with the new engine. It is a high-thrust version and the prop has a rubber gasket between hub and lower unit. I've never seen that before. It prevents the prop from spinning freely in neutral. What is the purpose of this gasket?

The engine runs a bit rough when shifted into forward or reverse at dead idle. Idle RPM is 850 as recommended and the roughness goes away with the slightest increase in throttle. Could that be related to prop gasket drag? Or do I need to adjust the idle RPM?

The 50 degree steering is great. Our boat used to take several lengths to turn around, now can spin in its own length!

You should be fine. The GPS signals are in the 3-GHz range; VHF is of course in the 150-MHz range. Although... I once had an old analog cell phone that would cause my FM stereo radio on the boat to mute when it was in use. Actually was quite a nice feature for the IF stage of the radio to go dead while on the phone... didn't need to adjust the volume during calls

Question: Where are you located, and didn't the dealer help you out by rigging the motor? In our shop we would...

 

[TomRay]

When "rough" is it related to forward shifting or just idle speed ? By rough you mean engine not idling even ? Has the engine compleated its break in time already ?

Happy Boating

We ran the engine through the first two hours of the break-in routine during our first test. After that, the only break-in procedure is to avoid full throttle for periods of five minutes or longer. I'm not 16 any more, so for practical purposes, break-in is complete. The engine has about 7 hours now.

It runs a bit rough at dead idle speed in both forward and reverse. Dead idle is smooth in neutral. When in gear, any increase in throttle above dead idle smooths things out.

 

[TomRay]

You should be fine. The GPS signals are in the 3-GHz range; VHF is of course in the 150-MHz range. Although... I once had an old analog cell phone that would cause my FM stereo radio on the boat to mute when it was in use. Actually was quite a nice feature for the IF stage of the radio to go dead while on the phone... didn't need to adjust the volume during calls

Question: Where are you located, and didn't the dealer help you out by rigging the motor? In our shop we would...

That's nice to know. I will be installing the VHF soon.

I'm in Punta Gorda and used to work for the Tohatsu dealership here, but it's really a sailboat shop and except for MacGregor powersailers, we never dealt with engines this size. They did help me out and that's how I got hold of the rigging manual, but I also participated in the installation. I figured I had better keep an eye on a bunch of sailors!

Here's the installation saga for anyone interested:

http://www.tropicalboating.com/2014/09/repowering-the-old-pontoon-boat