Sturdy synch

Dec 8, 2007
1,139
Dartmouth MA
Boat Info
1997 Sea Ray 400DA
Cat 3116 TA
1994 Sea Ray Laguna CC 250 Tohatsu
Engines
:
This is my fifth season with the boat. The PO said don't turn on the synch something is wrong with it. Well today I finally got to that number on my list of things to do. In gear, I brought the port engine up to 1650 rpm and the starboard to 1700 rpm. I then, for the first time in my history with the boat, engaged the synch. The port engine rpms dropped off toward idle rapidly. I quickly shut the synch off and brought both levers to idle. All went back to normal I powered back up and went on my way. Had anyone had this problem before?
 
Hmm. I have the Glendinning sync with my 3116’s. Procedure is to turn the sync on, push the starboard throttle to full and use the port throttle to control both engines. Works great.
 
Sturdy directions are quite specific. You set both throttles within 15% of each other. That is the limit of its ability to adjust.
Mine however shuts right down to idle when you turn it on.
 
Hmm. I have the Glendinning sync with my 3116’s. Procedure is to turn the sync on, push the starboard throttle to full and use the port throttle to control both engines. Works great.

That’s how mine works too. I’ve got Glendenning’s instruction sticker on the base of the control to remind me because I don’t use it very often.
While I like the concept, the lag time it takes for the slave (stbd.) to catch up with the lead (port) is annoying. Especially in the bay or in other close quarters.
Pretty nice in open water though.
 
Sturdy directions are quite specific. You set both throttles within 15% of each other. That is the limit of its ability to adjust.
Mine however shuts right down to idle when you turn it on.

Is yours a Glendenning system? If so, try giving them a call and they may be able to walk you through a fix.
Also, I’ve got a PDF of the manual and troubleshooting guide and can send it to you if you want to send me your email address.
 
Last edited:
Attached is a link to the manual. The unit is connected to your engines magnetic rpm sensors. These count the teeth on the flywheel and convert the pulses to rpm. The unit then matches the pulses.

Generally speaking, I would suspect a lack of a pulse signal from the mag pickups, or the throttle cables are not in adjustment.

However...

The unit has a terminal jumper that reverses the direction the sync will drive the throttles, and if that is incorrect or missing, that might cause your slave engine to drive to idle, when it should be giving more throttle trying to match RPM.

Look at the manual, and check that jumper. Add it or remove it, and see if that corrects the issue.



http://login.sturdycorp.com/Images/sturdy/docs/AccuSync_man.pdf
 
I have the Glendinning unit on my boat. It is a mechanical unit that has drive cables attached to the flywheel. Those drive cable wear out and need replacement from time to time.

I got mine working and they are a must have for me. I use them all the time. Even at idle...gets rid of all harmonics in the drive system, and butter smooth.
 
Is yours a Glendenning system? If so, try giving them a call and they may be able to walk you through a fix.
Also, I’ve got a PDF of the manual and troubleshooting guide and can send it to you if you want to send me your email address.
Is yours a Glendenning system? If so, try giving them a call and they may be able to walk you through a fix.
Also, I’ve got a PDF of the manual and troubleshooting guide and can send it to you if you want to send me your email address.
Mine is a sturdy system.
 
Attached is a link to the manual. The unit is connected to your engines magnetic rpm sensors. These count the teeth on the flywheel and convert the pulses to rpm. The unit then matches the pulses.

Generally speaking, I would suspect a lack of a pulse signal from the mag pickups, or the throttle cables are not in adjustment.

However...

The unit has a terminal jumper that reverses the direction the sync will drive the throttles, and if that is incorrect or missing, that might cause your slave engine to drive to idle, when it should be giving more throttle trying to match RPM.

Look at the manual, and check that jumper. Add it or remove it, and see if that corrects the issue.



http://login.sturdycorp.com/Images/sturdy/docs/AccuSync_man.pdf
I find it hard to believe that it would have been installed at the factory and now it's not there, but what your saying sounds spot on. J will check into that. Stranger things have happened
 
I find it hard to believe that it would have been installed at the factory and now it's not there, but what your saying sounds spot on. J will check into that. Stranger things have happened

On a 20 year old boat, I wouldn’t assume anything. Since you mentioned the PO advised not to use it, he or one of his mechanics may have attempted a “fix” at some point. Who knows.

If that jumper is there and installed correctly, the next step would be call the Mfg, see what they have to say.

I LOVE having my engine sync up and working and I use it 80 of the time when in gear.
 
I installed the Sturdy system in my boat 11yrs ago and it's been great. I liked it over the older Glendenning since there is no need to do anything special to operate the boat - just turn it on anytime and run both throttles like normal. The Sturdy system will take care of the rest (since most throttles when advanced are within 15% of each other) and sync the engines. I just switch it off before docking - again, nothing special to do switching it off either. Like anything, it's great when it works...

In your case, your port engine is the "slave" and will follow the Stb engine. However, the Stb engine seems to be incorrectly registering that its RPM is idle or less (my guess is zero RPM) so it reacts by reducing the slave's RPM to its minimal available.

With my 8.1 gassers I tapped into the wire that sends a pulse signal for the ignition on one of the wiring harnesses instead of putting a ring sensor on a spark plug wire. For a diesel, I believe they use a magnetic pickup sensor as mentioned above. That may have failed or the unit is not processing the signal.

I use mine each and every time I'm out. It's a very reliable unit.
 
Looking at the troubleshooting guide...the other option seems to be the engine sensor wires are reversed.
 
Looking at the troubleshooting guide...the other option seems to be the engine sensor wires are reversed.
I reviewed the manual and got out the multimeter. All wires at the unit are correctly installed. My next coarse of action is to call the company and see if there are any other common faults they run across. Next COA after that will be a plane ticket back to the factory for the unit this winter.
 
I've sold my boat now, but it had a Sturdy sync. I loved it. One time, I had a problem with it and it turned out to be the sensor wire was not making good contact.

Oh, and I always engaged it around 1,000 rpm's. The momentary adjustment was less noticeable at the speed.
 

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