ZF 280 A1 Electronic Trolling Valves – Adjustment?

[Stephen Seal]

I have twin Cummins QSB 5.9s with ZF 280 A1 transmissions.  Recently had electronic trolling valves installed.  My dealer is very inexperienced with these and is somewhat stumped with the issue we are having. 

The trolling valves seem to work fine at the dock and when the engines are cold.  After a quick cruise, however, the trolling valves will not engage.  The lights on the solenoids and the controls all seem to be working correctly.   Sometimes when in troll mode, placing either/both engine into gear, it may take 10, 20 seconds for the trolling valve to allow the shaft to turn.  Sometimes they don’t engage at all.

One hack I have found does work is to run the boat normally (not in troll mode).  Then shift to neutral, quickly press troll, and then put the boat back into gear.  That seems to leave the transmission pressure high enough momentarily to allow the trolling valves to engage. Is there a way to adjust the pressure in the trolling valve?

Thank you in advance for any help on this.

Topic

[Stephen Seal]

Pics

Hello Tony, could you take a look at the post below where I posted a reply and pics?

Thank you.

[Stephen Seal]

Pics and More Details

I have Glendinning controls.  All purchased through a ZF Dealer but the dealer doesn’t really work on these and doesn’t have much experience with them.  I bought an add-on kit.  New throttles, new Glendinning EEC-3 “brain,” all new wiring, and the trolling valve body you see in the attached pics.

In reading the ZF materials it’s hard to determine if one of those screws is an adjustment screw.

In another post I found where you commented extensively on these transmissions, you commented that…

“Gear oil pressure–Most ZF280 gears run in the 330-375 PSI range once warm.. Neutral/idle in the 50-75 PSI range.  What are you reading?”

I am wondering if low pressure is my issue?  At idle my pressure is reading in the mid 30’s to very low 40’s.

[Tony Athens]

Post clear pictures of the valve from all sides,  from about 12-18″ away.  Did you just buy a troll valve part/kit as an “add-on”,  or did you but a new complete EB15 with troll? 

 

Parts came from where?

 

What exact control system do you have?

 

 

[Author]

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