Another day, another problem. I experienced total failure of the ZF Dock and Go system on my 2014 Oceanis 55 the last couple of days. I'm looking for any resources or steps I can do to override the system into backup operation.
Background: Experienced blinking red lights and audible beeps from joystick when pulling away from dock when just using normal throttle lever and bow thrusters. The error causes the boat to be stuck in idle with no throttle response and stuck in neutral. I restarted the engine and regained control of the throttle lever. This error happened about 5 times in the span of 30 minutes and would sometimes happen when I shifted from forward into neutral. I was unable to make it back to my slip but was headed to the next island next to Tahiti anyways. Dock and go failed again right at the entrance to the pass out of the lagoon. We quickly put up our sails and sailed out of the lagoon to the safety of big water away from the reefs. While sailing to Moorea Island, I continued to trouble shoot the system, checking all fuses, power cycling all the battery banks, etc. Regained control of the drive system and worked fine the rest of the day.
The following day, started up the engine and tested the dock and go system, worked flawlessly. Pulled anchor and did a test sail around Moorea (9 hours). Sailing, motor sailing, and just motoring when the winds completely died. No issues with the drive system.
Yesterday, turned on the motor and the system faulted again. I'm unable to shift into forward or reverse. I power cycled the battery banks, checked all fuses and relays, connections, and everything in between. No luck. I connected the override cable to the system, and was able to get throttle response but no forward or reverse gear. The print out of trouble shooting steps that came with the boat say to check the wiring to the speed sensors and angle sensor, which are in great condition.
I'm assuming that one of the speed sensors is intermittent faulting causing the system to not operate.
I believe there must be a way to override the system to gain control of at least forward gear, but don't know how to do so. The labeled override back up cable just gives my throttle response so I'm half way there, just need to know how to gain control of the clutch actuator. The owners manual says to reference the manufacturer's manual which I do not have and can't find online. I left a help desk ticket with ZF for support but don't expect a response for a few days.
What have you all done to override the dock and go system?
Thank you all for your help!
-Brock
Background: Experienced blinking red lights and audible beeps from joystick when pulling away from dock when just using normal throttle lever and bow thrusters. The error causes the boat to be stuck in idle with no throttle response and stuck in neutral. I restarted the engine and regained control of the throttle lever. This error happened about 5 times in the span of 30 minutes and would sometimes happen when I shifted from forward into neutral. I was unable to make it back to my slip but was headed to the next island next to Tahiti anyways. Dock and go failed again right at the entrance to the pass out of the lagoon. We quickly put up our sails and sailed out of the lagoon to the safety of big water away from the reefs. While sailing to Moorea Island, I continued to trouble shoot the system, checking all fuses, power cycling all the battery banks, etc. Regained control of the drive system and worked fine the rest of the day.
The following day, started up the engine and tested the dock and go system, worked flawlessly. Pulled anchor and did a test sail around Moorea (9 hours). Sailing, motor sailing, and just motoring when the winds completely died. No issues with the drive system.
Yesterday, turned on the motor and the system faulted again. I'm unable to shift into forward or reverse. I power cycled the battery banks, checked all fuses and relays, connections, and everything in between. No luck. I connected the override cable to the system, and was able to get throttle response but no forward or reverse gear. The print out of trouble shooting steps that came with the boat say to check the wiring to the speed sensors and angle sensor, which are in great condition.
I'm assuming that one of the speed sensors is intermittent faulting causing the system to not operate.
I believe there must be a way to override the system to gain control of at least forward gear, but don't know how to do so. The labeled override back up cable just gives my throttle response so I'm half way there, just need to know how to gain control of the clutch actuator. The owners manual says to reference the manufacturer's manual which I do not have and can't find online. I left a help desk ticket with ZF for support but don't expect a response for a few days.
What have you all done to override the dock and go system?
Thank you all for your help!
-Brock