Mastercraft Cruise overshooting speed 05' X2

[cbaird]

I've used the MC Cruise on my 05 X2 for about 25hours and it worked great with the ballast full and about 3-4 people in the boat. It would go to speed and maybe go a couple mph over and then settle pretty quick and hold within a 1mph or so.

I took it for it's 20 hours service and now it is overshooting the speed by about 8 mph and is sloooow to settle back to the set speed. Example: it is set at 21, when you throttle it up it will go to 28-29 then slowly go to 21. Takes like 15 seconds. I pulled the paddle wheel and it looks okay and the speed on the MC Cruise display is accurate and doesn't look like it is spuratic. The MC dealer claims all they did was change the oil and installed a shower. They say they didn't hook it up to the computer or do anything that would affect the cruise. So either: 1) they nudged something maybe when installing the shower switch? 2) it is normal and I'm halucinating on how it used to work 3) I did something to it when I took it out?

Whats everyones experience with the MC Cruise? Is it normal to overshoot by 7 or 8 mph?

[OhioProstar]

If they installed another electical device they most likely removed the power wire to the battery and the programming in the PP reset. I would ask them to re-cal the unit.

[cbaird]

It is Mastercraft Cruise and not Perfect Pass. They claim they have no adjustments on the MC Cruise. Maybe I'll check and see if they loosened any wires on the MC Cruise. Anyone now how to access the back of the unit (I never tried yet).

[OhioProstar]

I wouldn't void the warranty by opening any sealed units. What did MC say about the sudden change in Cruise Control?

[Diesel]

It is Mastercraft Cruise and not Perfect Pass. They claim they have no adjustments on the MC Cruise. Maybe I'll check and see if they loosened any wires on the MC Cruise. Anyone now how to access the back of the unit (I never tried yet).

I am having problems with my PP WB Pro and it sounds similar to what you are experiencing. Here is a link to a thread about the PP WB Pro......

http://www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=3458

[ski_king]

Try the Contact MasterCraft link on the main page, they can help you.

[cbaird]

OhioProstar,

The MC dealer said they didn't touch anything and not aware of the problem I'm experiencing. They had me pull my paddle wheel yesterday to examing for any problems. I'm going to call them with my results and they are going to call MC, they said they needed the stat of the paddle wheel first.

Powerslot82,

Is the contact on the mastercraft link go directly to MC or just a dealer?

[cbaird]

Diesel,

I checked that link out. I have a friend with PP wakeboard and when the settings get out of wack it does have some issues. But with the pre 05 boats they linkage and servo units so there is alot more to go wrong. With my boat it is all electronic (drive by wire), so all it really could be is electrical or paddle wheel I guess.

[Cheecher]

I have a 05 X2 also, and I opted for the MC cruise instead of Perfect Pass. I find that with the MC Cruise you have to do a bit more work manually with dialing in the speed. I am used to it now, but I just try and manually work the throttle to get closer to my speed, and it usually helps the cruise settle faster. I’m not sure if that makes any sense. Not a big deal for me really.

[OhioProstar]

Good luck.

[cbaird]

Cheecher,

If you set the cruise and throttle up, how far will yours overshoot? Like my example, set to 21, how far will it overshoot before settling down?

[X2M]

I have a 05 X2 also, and I opted for the MC cruise instead of Perfect Pass. I find that with the MC Cruise you have to do a bit more work manually with dialing in the speed. I am used to it now, but I just try and manually work the throttle to get closer to my speed, and it usually helps the cruise settle faster. I’m not sure if that makes any sense. Not a big deal for me really.

Cheecher - We have MC cruise in our 05 X2 also. We manually work the throttle to get closer to the speed too. Works fine for us. :)



Cbaird - When you are having this problem, are you just flooring it and then expecting the MC cruise to do the rest of the work for you? What are you pulling? Wakeboard or ski? That could be affecting it also. :)

[cbaird]

X2momma,

Pulling wakeboarders. Don't necessary floor it, but bring it up at a good rate. We also ride behind an xstar with PP so it isn't necessarily how we are using it. it's just now it goes way over and is slooow to return. When yours starts dropping engine power does it do it a couple miles over the set mark?

[Cheecher]

Well, we normally ride at 26, and I shoot to not pass 30 mph before settling. I sometimes over shoot as much as 35mph, but the throttle is so sensitive compared to the old X5 we had. So I am doing a little more work to manually control it, but its habit now. A small adjustment in throttling, but like I said no big deal.

[Cheecher]

X2momma- Yeah I was worried about the MC cruise compared to Perf Pass, but after riding with it, we decided it worked great, and stuck with it. Now from what I understand, the new PP wakeboard pro, lets you set 6 different presets. Which would really be awesome for days when its glass, compared to a slight ripple on the water, and new rider preset speeds. I was really tempted by that, but adjusting on the fly is no problem, so we decided to get more tower speakers :headbang:
Music was for sure more important.

[X2M]

X2momma,

Pulling wakeboarders. Don't necessary floor it, but bring it up at a good rate. We also ride behind an xstar with PP so it isn't necessarily how we are using it. it's just now it goes way over and is slooow to return. When yours starts dropping engine power does it do it a couple miles over the set mark?


I have never had a boat with PP or got a pull behind one that has, so I don't have anything to compare to. Ours does go a little over while pulling a wakeboarder and more so with a skier. I always thought that was just from how much throttle used at "hit it". :D IMO it is not that slow to get back to set speed.

If your dealer can't help you, use the Contact MasterCraft link. It doesn't take long to get a response. :)

[X2M]

Well, we normally ride at 26, and I shoot to not pass 30 mph before settling. I sometimes over shoot as much as 35mph, but the throttle is so sensitive compared to the old X5 we had. So I am doing a little more work to manually control it, but its habit now. A small adjustment in throttling, but like I said no big deal.


I think I injured my husband the first couple of times I pulled him skiing. That throttle took some getting used to. We went from a 97 205 w/ LT1 to the 05 X2 w/ MCX. Big change. I was used to having to floor it and then back off somewhat slow. Not now. Poor guy. I've got it figured out now. :D :D

[east tx skier]

You were having to floor the 205 with the LT1? That's only about a 20 hp difference than the MCX if memory serves. His arms must be like rubber bands after all that. 8p

[Cheecher]

Actually, the MC cruise works pretty much exactly the same as the PP wakeboard pro we were using on the older X5. We were happy with it, and I was extremely pleased when I realized MC cruise worked the same way. Different buttons, but pretty much the same exact functions.

[east tx skier]

Is it speed based, rpm based or both?

[X2M]

You were having to floor the 205 with the LT1? That's only about a 20 hp difference than the MCX if memory serves. His arms must be like rubber bands after all that. 8p


You'd think so. :o But, when we bought our boat (through a dealer) the engine had been replaced. It only had 1.2 hrs. We thought ok, we can break it in and know that it has been taken care of like it should. Well, when the time came to get the new one we talked about trade in or sell outright. Took the boat in for the trade check and found out the engine compression was way off. The dealer said "We can't take this boat in trade. Who ever replace the engine didn't do it right." WHAT!?!? You did the work. "Oh.......hmmm." Goobers. So there was a difference between the two.

Um, thread jacked. Sorry. :o

[Cheecher]

east tx skier- Both

X2momma - Yeah the only time I ever have to (Hit It) is when we are pulling a larger rider. Some of them find it easier to get up as opposed to trying to ease them up. I like to get yanked out of the water faster my self, but the X2 nearly pulled my shoulder out of socket, so yeah it took some getting used to. LOL!

[cbaird]

Thanks for everyones input. I talked to the dealer and there going to give me a new paddle wheel speed sensor to try out. I also talked to Perfect Pass and there wakeboard pro for the X2 05 is only $845, dealer wants $150 to install, I guess there price is going down since the market isn't as exclusive as it used to be. I guess the hardware is easy to install but you can't do it all by yourself. You still have to have the dealer flash the ECM for PP. I hope the speed sensor solves the problem. I'll post my results when there in.

[Diesel]

Diesel,

I checked that link out. I have a friend with PP wakeboard and when the settings get out of wack it does have some issues. But with the pre 05 boats they linkage and servo units so there is alot more to go wrong. With my boat it is all electronic (drive by wire), so all it really could be is electrical or paddle wheel I guess.

Mine is DBW too and the problem is in programing parameter. Could be the same with the Cruise but not sure. Good luck.......

BTW if you do upgrade to the WB Pro you should be able to install is yourself in a few hours or less. It is a plug and play with the factory MC harness. All the connectors are there so you would just have to replace the gauge and mount the box. Your dealer would still have to reprogram the ECM.

[cbaird]

Diesel,

Do you PP on your 209? If so what was the reason you upgraded to it?

[gene dobies]

I've heard that for wakeboarding one should use the control by rpms and for skiing the mph control. Was told by my dealer rpm's are more efficient to control for wakeboarding.

[MYMC]

keep in mind: You will need to update (reburn) the ECM of your boat if you switch to PP from MC cruise.

The price from PP dropped due to the fact most of the system is built into the boat now...that is one of the reasons the boat cost more.

MC cruise can operate in speed or RPM mode.

And the MCX has more torque everywhere when compared to the old LT1.

As posted on this board recently the DBW PP system is not without a few quirks...it is more complex than the old servo systems even though there are less moving parts. I would find out why a system that worked fine now has an issue before adding equipment that uses the same input (paddle wheel) as the system that is giving you trouble.

[MYMC]

Speed mode on any system should be used for wakeboarding. This is due to the fact that you do not have to make RPM adjustments for ballast, fuel load or number of persons on board the system does it for you. Remember that 3500 rpm maybe 35 mph with one person and no ballast; however, with 3400lbs on board plus a full fuel load it is about 21mph in an L-18 X-Star.

Speed does not funtion well at slalom speeds as the NN data makes the system surge. RPM works well in this situation as most skiers keep the boat as light as possible (as opposed to wake boarders). For the last 10 years the world records in slalom have been set using PP rpm based comtrol.

[cbaird]

My wife just picked up a new paddle wheel unit from the dealer, going to install it tonight and see what happens.

At least my dealer has been helpful and responsive through the process. If anyone is in the detroit suburbs I highly recommend watersports marine in waterford michigan.

[Cheecher]

cbaird - I hope all works out well for you. Let us know what happens.

[cbaird]

Cheecher - thanks and will do.

I read other articles and I hate it when it ends with I'm going to try... and then you never see if it works or not. Kinda like watching a moving and never getting to see the last 10 minutes.

[east tx skier]

I've heard that for wakeboarding one should use the control by rpms and for skiing the mph control. Was told by my dealer rpm's are more efficient to control for wakeboarding.

For perfect pass, I believe the opposite is true. RPMs for skiing, speed for wakeboard. I've tried to free ski in speed mode as suggested by the PP manual. It sucked. Every time I pulled, the boat surged. Miserable.

[Cheecher]

cbaird - very true. Its good especially when someone does a search on a particular topic, at least they can read through, and see the final result, and see if it fits there problem. I've done that many of times in various issues, and had to track down the original poster to find out the outcome besides, I am just curious for my own sake in case I ever run into the issue.

Thanks

[cbaird]

The verdict is in.

I went to put in the new paddle wheel and found out they gave me the wrong one. So I decided to pull out mine and check it again. In looking at it closely it was flattened just slightly on the top. Possibly when we loaded it up on the trailer it got bumped, I remember my wife going cockeyed when she drove it up. I took a file and smoothed it out and now it is working like before. Amazing what a little flattening would do. It must have been causing some turbulance or something.

[Cheecher]

Cool! That was a quick fih eh.?.?.

[cbaird]

Yeah, amazing. I didn't think much about the little flattening when I pulled it the first time. I thought no way this could be the problem.

I talked to the dealer this morning and told them what I did and they said yeah those things are real touchy.

Now I'm on my next task. Figuring out why I don't get cold water out of my shower they put in last week... Always something...

[Cheecher]

LOL, one thing after another. I know what you mean. If it aint a messed up ballast bag, its a messed up pump, or a screw in the tower that wont stay tight, or a amplifier over heating, or the CD player skipping out of the blue for no reason whatsoever. Then if all thinigs are working 100 %, and there is Butta to ride on, I get a mental block on my riding, and start doing stupid things, and really beating myself up.
If everything is running 100 %, and my riding is good, I start getting nervous, cuz something is about to go down...LOL!

Good luck man.

[cbaird]

Glad I'm not alone. Funny you mention the riding.

We wakeboard at 6am in the morning, this morning I backed up into shore and bent my prop a bit so we dealt with the vibrations. I have a spare prop but my lift cable broke last thursday when I got my boat back from the 20 hr service. But boy I road great this morning!

[Cheecher]

It makes it all worth it huh?

Sort of like my buddy with golf. He sucks, and pays all that money to keep going out ther, and sucking, but that one good shot keeps him going back well, that one good run keeps me out there.
I may beat the mess out of myself most of the time, but when I stick a new trick all the pain, and thought of going bankrupt buying fuel, and paying a boat note seem to disappear for a while. LOL!

[cbaird]

You nailed it.

Boy gas is expensive though. What's up with that. I think I payed 2.35 for medium.

[Cheecher]

Yeah, I wish it would go down, but I dont see that happening.
We pay about 2.06 for reg, 2.15 for mid grade, and 2.25 for premium here. Sucks!

[rodltg2]

i here you, trying having the hemi plus the lq9 which requires premium.

[cbaird]

It's like 2.23, 2.35 and 2.45 here in Michigan.

I don't mind buying the gas, it just means I'm getting a good ROI on the boat. I've put 35 hrs on it so far this season. Looking to get at least a hundred.

Would have more but my group of borders has various people on different lakes so we tend to even it out across the different boats which is nice. Makes you more versatile I guess.

[Cheecher]

Yeah, luckily we do not have far to drive to ride.
Now on the boat, we are probably running close to 2600 lbs of ballast right now. I would really like to know the exact figures, but it seems impossibole t find on the Triple KGB. Anyway, that dude drinks some fuel too.

[John B]

Yeah, I wish it would go down, but I dont see that happening.
We pay about 2.06 for reg, 2.15 for mid grade, and 2.25 for premium here. Sucks!
Just be glad your not in California.
Gas today was $2.77 for premium,and 2.55 for reg.
Not sure what mid. grade is. Now that sucks!!
Yesterday on the news they said it going up up up.
By the end of summer $3.00.
I hope their wrong,but if it dose that will real SUCK.
Your gas is cheep. It has not been that cheep for over three years! :mad:

[cbaird]

John B,

Sucks to live in california and buy gas! They must tax the heck out of it.

Cheecher,

The tripple kgb on the x2 is 250 in each rear and 300 in the middle (as far as I've been told from MC dealer and seen on other forums). I know what you mean about trying to find out though. There is no black and white specs for it. Even the dealer is wishy washy about it.

I tell you what though, they fill up FAST compared to my friends XStar. Mine all fill at the same time in 5minutes or under. His take at least 15 minutes.

[Cheecher]

Are talking about stock ballast on the x-star?


I know, we fill the stock ballast pretty dang fast. I am looking for a way to put a valve and split it to a y in the back, and use the stock pump to fill our other bags in the rear. I would imagine that is fairly easy to do huh?

[Cheecher]

John B - Man!!! I only thought our prices sucked. Please Lord forgive me for being ungrateful!

[cbaird]

Are talking about stock ballast on the x-star?


I know, we fill the stock ballast pretty dang fast. I am looking for a way to put a valve and split it to a y in the back, and use the stock pump to fill our other bags in the rear. I would imagine that is fairly easy to do huh?

Stock Ballast on '03 Xstar (pickle fork front) is like 1000 lbs stock and takes 15 minutes to fill.

Stock Ballast on X2 '05 is 800lbs and take about 5minutes for all three at on one time.

There is an article that I can't find either on wakeboarder.com or wakeworld.com where some guy bought two additional hard tanks for his x2 and put them next to the stock. And somehow got some carpeting from MC which made them look stock. Apparently you tee real easy off of the stock hard tanks, you just need to find those tees. The MC dealer might be able to hook you up.

[Cheecher]

I wonder whats up with the x-star taking so long?!?!?!?!?

Hey if you find that article post it, or a link to it, because I am very interested in that.

[cbaird]

It may be the year, my dealer said they put bigger hoses in the '05 and they fill alot faster. Not sure how long it takes for pre '05 x2's

[Cheecher]

Oh, so its not an 05 X star?

[cbaird]

No '03, I'm sure they fixed in '05

[Cheecher]

I bet......Hey any luck finding that article on T'ing off the coupling on the stock ballast

[cbaird]

I can't find it.

It was on this site, wakeboarder.com or wakeworld.com

basically he got ahold of 2 stock hard tanks and put them right next to the others and tee'd the connection. Looks pretty simple, you would just need to find the tee's. I've heard of people taking the hard one out and just hooking ito to a really large fat sac.

[Cheecher]

I will try and look for it.

I have a good feeling that we will end up taking out the stock tank and throwing in some larger bags. We have a couple of the new fly high sacks, and man they are really nice. The material is really tough, and the connections are really nice also.