What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

[0xB33F]

Sorry if this doesn't belong in this section. I wasn't sure where to post this.

Anyway - On my 1971 Johnson control thing, there is a "throttle friction" knob. I can turn it, but have no idea what it's doing.

Could someone give me some pointers?

Thanks in advance.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

I believe it sets the tension on the throttle, so you can "cruise" at a particular speed.

 

[0xB33F]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

Could you explain a little more?
I'm sorry. I'm totally new to boating, so I'm pretty dumb when it comes to this stuff

 

[redone4x4]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

is this an outboard? is it a console control (steering wheel and a dashboard)? what kind of boat is it?

 

[0xB33F]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

It's a 1971 Johnson 50hp outboard. The boat is a 1971 (or 1973, not sure) Yarcraft Yankee 15'.
She's got a few quirks, but she runs.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

so do you steer it at the outboard then, with the throttle/tiller handle?

 

[0xB33F]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

Nope, she has a steering wheel.
The knob in question in under the white horizontal lever.

 

[0xB33F]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

btw - thanks for all your help redone4x4. I appreciate it.

 

[smartwork]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

Sounds like an adjustment to vary the amount of pressure/tension is placed on the throttle lever so that you can make it easier to move (if you move it a lot while driving) or make it stiffer (so it will keep it's position) if you drive in a manner where you don't move the lever much. Do you feel any difference in the lever movement with the knob set to different positions?

 

[0xB33F]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

Thanks for the reply smartwork.
I can't really tell a difference. Maybe I'm just not paying enough attention?!
I'll have to mess with it a bit and see if I can tell a difference.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

ya when running at say, 1/2 throttle, try to increase the friction and see if the lever stays at 1/2 throttle. it should. or, you back off the tension and it might start slowly losing rpm's.

 

[RICHARD5]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

It stops down the prop for those high RPM, low speed situations.

Seriously, it's a friction lock to hold the throttle at a specific setting. Without the increased friction the throttle could vibrate to a lower RPM setting. It works by applying enough force to counteract the cable tension. The required amount of force is determined by the operator. In boats it's pretty much a convenience, in aircraft it's often a necessity.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What does the Throttle Friction knob do?

Throttle friction is exactly what it means. Tighten the knob and it increases the amount of force it takes to move the throttle. Loosen it too far and the throttle won't stay where you have it set -- in other words it will creep back toward slow/neutral. Tighten it too tight and the throttle will be difficult to move. Happiness is somewhere in between.