Hydraulic engineer Brightlingsea??

[Toutvabien]

I am looking for an engineer around the Brightlingsea area, who understands hydraulics, to help sort out my autopilot and steering system, any recommendations or suggestion gratefully received?


Thanks

Paul

 

[Tomahawk]

Pls give us more info regards the problem..

Hydraulics are quite simple. They have to be as they are the basis for all the mini diggers used by all the cowboy builders on building sites.

 

[Toutvabien]

I have tried to install a new Raymarine X10 autopilot with my elderly Wagner hydraulic steering system, the electronics seem ok, apart from a slight issue with the compass but I think that there is a problem with the hydraulic set up as the wheel turns when the pilot is working and the boat goes heading off in the wrong direction when the pilot tries to correct the course. I get the sense that this is a good indicator that it is plumbed in incorrectly and some how the hydraulics are reversing the way that the pump is working the helm, when I was experimenting today with using the autopilot to move the rudder ( while tied up to the pontoon) somehow the helm reversed and when I turned the wheel to Stb the helm quadrant move to Port. When I turned the pilot off the wheel helm pump returned to normal.

The Raymarine type 1 autopilot hydraulic pump installation has the electrical hydraulic pump lines teed off from the manual hydraulic lines with no return pipe to the helm, I have read somewhere about the need for a third hydraulic line back to the helm (but I do not think that my Wagner helm pump has a third inlet) or a valve that needs to be operated when changing from hand steering to autopilot but I cannot find the reference again, any ideas or suggestions??

 

[Hadenough]

Pls give us more info regards the problem..

Hydraulics are quite simple. They have to be as they are the basis for all the mini diggers used by all the cowboy builders on building sites.

Who use hydraulic engineers to maintain their equipment

Sorry to the OP. I just get p****d off when everyone assumes that builders are morons!

 

[sailorman]

Pls give us more info regards the problem..

Hydraulics are quite simple. They have to be as they are the basis for all the mini diggers used by all the cowboy builders on building sites.

TW AT

 

[Tomahawk]

OK, from what you have said, it appears to be a plumbing issue. If your unit is turning the wheel and rudder quadrant, it is unlikley that the problem lies with the actual pumps themselves. If the pumps were at fault, you would not get any movement at the wheel and quadrqnt. Or at least it would be spongy due to possible air in the pipes and would also possibly hear some nasty noises.

Start by tracing the pipework and drawing a flow diagram as installed. It may be that you have somehow crossed a couple of pipes. Also get the details of the Wagner unit. Also find out if you need a check valve between where the autopilot pump is teed into the manual lines and the helm unit?

I hope that does not sound like I am too much of a twit?

 

[Tomahawk]

Who use hydraulic engineers to maintain their equipment

Sorry to the OP. I just get p****d off when everyone assumes that builders are morons!

Don't try to put words in my mouth. Never said builders are morons.. However from personal experience I have found them to be very hard on equipment. Kit has to be rugged and simple to survive on a building site.