My impression is that twin-engine owners, especially pilots of multi-engine aircraft, prefer to manually synchronize the engines.
How important do you think a synchronizer is on gas engines? What is it mostly use for fuel mileage or what? Did a search and could not find a thread.
I agree! My Micro Commander throttles are not automatically synching the engines and so far the MC Tech hasn't been able to solve the problem. Luckily, I've had some multi engine time and synching them by ear is not a big deal. (Harder from the fly bridge as was previously noted.)Having had to run my boat without the synch working for awhile, I was sure glad to have it back. For long legs, no big deal but for times when a lot of adjustments needed, or dealing with a following sea coming into an inlet, big PITA.
So on mechanical engines, has anyone installed a sync themselves? Our current 6.3 Volvos do't have them, but I was considering adding one next summer. Is it something that the do-it-yourselfer can do easily? To me, it seems like the install is straight forward enough, but the post install setup would be the bear.
Just curious, will not a set of digital tachometers like Aetna get you as close as a synchronizer? Where does the synchronizer get its signal in this case?
Some get a signal off an alternator. Then a new belt on only one side gets installed, or a new pulley or ---
Also, engine speed, prop RPM, prop HP and fuel burn per side can independently vary. Then mismatched props enter into the equation. What are we really trying to get in sync? And why?
Just curious, will not a set of digital tachometers like Aetna get you as close as a synchronizer? Where does the synchronizer get its signal in this case?
Some get a signal off an alternator. Then a new belt on only one side gets installed, or a new pulley or ---
Also, engine speed, prop RPM... per side can independently vary.
I have Aetna digital tach's
After four seasons don't see the need for synchronizers.
Actually I don't try to get them, exactly the same. Close, i.e. Within 10 or so rpm is fine.
The OP asked about gas engines. On those there is usually no tach cable tap to operate a Glendinning. On gas boats either digital tachs or a needle type sync gauge will be good enough. On lots of gas boats it is really hard to hear the beat frequency of being out of sync. Hard to sync by ear, some of them.
True, it can be adapted to a gasser, but it is a bunch of hardware right on the front of the crank, and it will prevent you from easily changing a belt. PITA, like a 3116.
I stand by my point that on a gasser, the needle sync gauge is good enough.