MDC Drive Sync
 

Here was the problem. I could never trim my drives for optimum performance. One drive was always too high or low. Because the indicators each have a cable running to them they would never be accurate due to cable stretch, mounting locations, and lengths. Spending a lot of time heads down trying to sync drive height and rpm is not a safe place to be while driving a boat.

Here is the solution. I talked to Mike at Marine Design Corporation and bought a MDC Drive Sync for my boat. This year has been great running with it. The drives sync up automatically to the same height every time. I am now spending time looking outside the boat driving while going faster then I have ever gone in the boat before because of the efficiency of the drive positions.

Installation and set-up were simple. This is a great product.

Thanks to Mike and the Team at MDC.

Next big project for my boat will be MDC Drive Guardians.

I purchased the Drive Sync for the same reason, to get the drives perfect and concentrate on what is ahead of me. Excellent product and install was very easy, the owner even called me to get feedback. Money well spent.

Guys - tell us about the install. Plug and play or something I'll need time for after season is over.

Install is easy and straight forward.

I mounted the box above the trim pump panel into the fiberglass. I used four screws to make sure it stays put, but you could use just two if so inclined.

Power and control wires connected to trim pumps. Wiring ran to back of motors to trim plugs and connected. Mercury harnesses labeled so they are easy to find.

Follow the instructions to set up and your done. System retains programming even if disconnected from power. It's that simple.

All wiring harnesses are included. MDC did a fantastic job on the harnesses and control box.

You will need screws and cable ties to secure the box and wiring harnesses.

It is a couple of hours to install and secure harnesses just because of having to go in and out of the engine compartment.

Now go out and run it using only the single trim switch on the throttle. It's like night and day running now.

^ Exactly, 1 night after work and you got it installed. I did run into a suggestion for MDC to add 2-3 ft more of the harness going to the control unit. In my 38 Staggered by the time I went around the engine bay and mounted above my trim pumps the wire was stretched as far as it could go. Terry, I don't think the 42 engine compartment is much or any bigger than the 38. Just have them add to the wiring for some room to work with. Running at speed is great not worrying about tapping the drive switches. Combine the Drive Sync with dual throttle switches (1 for drives, 1 for tabs) and you never have to take your hand off the throttles. MDC also makes a Sync System for the tabs. I didn't need it for the tabs but nice if you are constantly adjusting them for whatever reason.

Sounds good - thanks guys!

TM

Just purchased one also ,cant wait to install it!looks fairly simple.

Purchased one a while ago - had some issues getting it to work, Mike from MDC very responsive and got the issue resolved, works great!
Thanks Mike!

One of these MDC DriveSync systems is next on my 'must buy' list. Tired of indicator cables failing and trim pump speeds being uneven. Awesome solution!

so you need the trim position sending unit on the drive?what are you guys w/ hp transom assemblies doing?I have no senders on my drives,,just cables.

same here.

MDC has a parts list from Mercury that will allow you to run a Drive Sync.

I wonder if the system can interface with the led indicators that have been out a couple years now.

Livorsi Marine, Inc. - LED Position Indicators

DriveSync is compatible with all aftermarket LED indicators including Livorsi and Mayfair as well as Mercury's SmartCraft. NMEA 0183 and 2000 outputs are also available to support glass panel displays.

GF?

Bump. For those that have this, are you still happy with the results and it's still working as advertised?

Thanks!

I installed a drive sync this summer, I bought the Race version with the 2 presets. super product I can just hit a toggle switch up for 1st preset, then same toggle down for second preset, or use the trim switch for normal operation.
It is super Bad A$$. I have no problem recommending this product. also the customer service from Mike is Fantastic!

Yep - product is awesome and Mike Clesceri is great to work with, as well. He cares about the product and his customers satisfaction. I too would not hesitate to recommend - my opinion is no 90+ mph boat should be sold without it.

^^^ Thanks all.... Ordered :drink:

On different note, anyone have any experience with the IAC Survival Kit. Is it a necessary item?

if you have 600 or 700s make sure you do the circuit protection from Merc, there was a service bulletin about it. Have your engines looked up in the database to verify, BUP on here stocks the kits and can look up your engine history for this bulletin and others.

I made my own fuse jumper harnesses. Details are in a post a few years ago. 1 amp fuse.

All In. I sent a PM but your inbox is full. I am not the greatest when it comes to searching. Can you please post or PM the link to your thread.

Thanks!

What's the cost to purchase a drive sync?

Sorry, my membership expired over the weekend. PMs are back to operating normally.
But here is the link....

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...ml#post4556065

Mike C's (MDC) IAC harness should be very similar to mine if you don't want to go through the trouble of making your own or you don't have the proper crimpers.

Terry

$895 for the regular one, but if I had to do it again, I'd go for the race version with presets.

TrimSync

Thanks, not bad at all. It's on the list for this winter. :)

Terry, Mike can modify the standard into a race version with the presets.

I called Mike last year and asked the same question and he gave me a few different ways to install it on Arnesons. BEST customer service in this industry! Looking forward to buying some products from him soon!

I'm not going to send it back to him. He's already had his hands on it twice since he sold it to me - probably lost all of his profit for this transaction on me - lol. I couldn't for the life of me get it calibrated. Lots of phone calls, emails, sent back to him for testing, etc. I gave up on the install (and had it for 2 years). Mike offered to drive to Ky to install and calibrate for me. ( <-- WOW!)

Then I decided to take the boat to Big Thunder Marine and Precision Paint Worx to have some maintenance taken care of last winter. I threw the box in the truck and asked them to install it. I also called Mike to let him know the boat would be at LOTO for most of the winter. He drove down and assisted with the install and calibration. Found out one of my trim sensors had a dead spot in it - BTM replaced both sensors and the box works like a charm. Not exactly user error, but the instructions DID reference trim sensor confirmation - Terry said "my trim sensors aren't bad, just install it and go!" RTFM

It works fine as it is, and I'm completely happy with the product and the company. Highly recommended.
Terry

Just an FYI since I found this thread from searching. "Trim Sync" is for OB's, "Drive Sync" is for Out Drives. I had to ask him when I was on the phone ordering my kit. They appeared to be the same thing from description on his website so I had to inquire what the difference was.

So just to be clear the drive sync uses the digital senders off the drives for trim position reference correct? My only concern is my senders don’t seem to be perfectly accurate. I can adjust them so they’re outputting the exact same voltage through my scan tool then I trim the drives up and down once or twice and they’re a little bit off. So if the drive sync is using that signal the drives still may not be trimmed perfectly even?

The inconsistency is likely variation in the trim pump motor.
Yes, the drive sync uses trim sensors to adjust (almost exactly). It commands the pump to operate until trim sensor readings are same. It flat out works.
I had trouble getting my drive sync to work properly. Mike went to my boat to confirm for himself, and discovered I had a bad trim sensor. Once that was replaced, everything works great.