Access Under Joysticks on R-31?

[Wee Venture]

Does anyone know if the throttle box alongside the helm on the R-31 is removable? Or how to gain access under the joysticks? Will removing the refrigerator help?

My remote for the thrusters stopped working. Replaced the batteries in the remote, made sure there was power to the receiver, tried pairing—nothing worked. So I bought a new remote, which as others have noted also required buying a new (larger) receiver. It seems Sleipner has upgraded the unit so both need to be updated.

I have valiantly tried to connect the new receiver by reaching through the hole under the joysticks and trying to pull some of the wiring up through to make connections, then pushing the new receiver back down through same hole. But that approach now appears physically impossible. The wires are tangled and just not long enough. And in the process of trying I have somehow dislodged a connection so that now my thrusters don’t work at all, even with the joysticks. I need to get this fixed.

Has anyone done this successfully? Advice appreciated, thanks.

John

 

[Ralf H]

Hi John,

The usual way to get access to the joystick wiring, etc. is through the throttle itself. It has a removable cover that, once removed, will reveal several bolts that hold the throttle onto the throttle box. Once this is out of the way, you will be able to reach the cables and receiver. You might have to disentangle a few wires, but you will be able to reach them. This should get you going, but let us know.

Cheers,


Ralf

 

[watson1987]

Does the 'throttle box' not come off?

I had/have a plan to install a built-in wireless Qi charger towards the aft part of the box. I've quickly looked at how it was attached and couldn't see anything obvious to remove it.

While there might be enough space with the throttle removed to access the joysticks, drilling holes and mounting something on the underside like a Qi charger might be difficult and mean I need to come up with a solution that mounts a charger on top of the box (yuck exposed wires)

 

[Wee Venture]

Thanks for your quick response Ralf. I am hoping your advice will help. However, so far I have been unsuccessful in pulling off the throttle assembly and wonder what I’m missing. I removed the top cover and found bolts in the four corners with hex socket heads. Removed all four. They have machine threads and look like they secure the control to a base plate.

However the throttle assembly seems to still be firmly fastened. Pulling or rocking it moves the whole throttle box back and forth. The only other screws are those that control the lever friction and the detentes, as well as four small screws that say “do not remove” so I don’t want to mess with those. It’s got to come off somehow, so either it’s just stuck or I’m missing something.

John

 

[Ralf H]

Hi John,

I don't remember one hundred percent, but the throttle lever should be able to be pulled off without any other requirements. You may have to tug and work at them a little. I'll try to check (haven't been around a Volvo boat in a little while) and see if there is anything else.

Cheers,

Ralf

 

[Wee Venture]

I finally got around to completing the thruster project and wanted to post a follow-up.

(As an aside, it is surprising how maneuverable the R-31 is without thrusters. By alternating between forward and reverse with the rudder turned, I was able to maneuver in close quarters and into our tight slip. Kick the boat into forward with the rudder hard over and then momentarily engage reverse. The shot of reverse stops the forward motion but the angular momentum keeps the boat turning.)

Ralf was absolutely correct that the throttle control was only secured by four bolts. Thank you, Ralf! In my case, the reason it didn’t immediately come off was that there are four hidden locator pins about 1” high that the bolts threaded into, and the whole assembly was stuck to those pins by friction. So rocking the throttle lever assembly to “break it free” didn’t work, and I was afraid to pull up on the handle with much force. Sliding a putty knife underneath and prying up finally worked. I put antiseize compound on the pins and bolts before reassembling.

As far as installing the new receiver for the thruster remote, it was a bear to make all the connections and screw it in place by reaching through two holes, but possible. By pulling up the trim tab switch assembly, I could look through that center hole while having an arm through each of the other holes. The new larger receiver didn’t fit where the old one was mounted, and it was too big when wires were attached to just rest on the floor of the box, so I mounted it on a panel of plywood that is on the outboard side of the inner box. The receiver reset button, if needed, is accessible through the joystick hole.

John