Radar Arch Hydraulics

[Dino]

Hi, my boat came with a very nicely engineered hydraulic arch. There is a pump/powerpack located in the engine room and there is a reservoir attached to the pump. During the Summer, the hydraulics failed to work so I had to pull the pins and drop it manually. I only use it a few times each year.
When I got back to base I did a bit of faultfinding. The electric motor is running when I push the button. But no fluid is flowing.
Does anyone Have any experience of these units? Could it be a drive coupling or something gone in the pump.
I’m heading to the boat tomorrow to investigate further but any advice welcome.
Thanks

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Fluid levels? Air in the system? An interlock still in place?

 

[Dino]

Thanks
I’ve topped up the reservoir to the top. I’m not sure if the system needs to be vented.
I don’t think the pump/motor will run if an interlock is in place

 

[Assassin]

Relief valve stuck open.

 

[vas]

a photo of the pump/motor assembly would help.
If it's like a hydraulic passerele setup a few things could be stuck, or current not flowing to the solenoid that "opens" up the path for the fluid to flow to the arch.
If it's a normal motor-pump bolted together, could be the coupling that has failed?
tbh, doubt it's the second, so would wiggle cables to the solenoids first

 

[Zing]

Hi, my boat came with a very nicely engineered hydraulic arch. There is a pump/powerpack located in the engine room and there is a reservoir attached to the pump. During the Summer, the hydraulics failed to work so I had to pull the pins and drop it manually. I only use it a few times each year.
When I got back to base I did a bit of faultfinding. The electric motor is running when I push the button. But no fluid is flowing.
Does anyone Have any experience of these units? Could it be a drive coupling or something gone in the pump.
I’m heading to the boat tomorrow to investigate further but any advice welcome.
Thanks

Sounds like a stuck valve. If the electrics test OK then strip, clean, rebuild.

 

[starfire]

Or a faulty solenoid coil

 

[Dino]

Thanks folks, I’ll report back this evening after inspection

 

[n.herring]

Give brooms a call, they probably fitted it and will have a good idea of what the problem might be

 

[Dino]

Just back from the boat. Thankfully I live very close to my boat as we are in a 5km lockdown herein Ireland.
So I checked all the plugs and pipes, etc. No issues.
I then split the motor from the valve block and I found that the coupling had come loose.The drive coupling is a loose piece joining the motor shaft to the pump shaft and it looked like it had fallen out. I’ll refit it tomorrow and hopefully It’ll be good to go.

 

[vas]

good, any pics?

 

[Dino]

Not sure how to embed these into my post but here’s a link. Hydraulic Arch
I got the pump reassembled with the coupling in the right place. Took a few goes to get it right. Ran it a few times and it started to move. I had adjusted the valve and I had to play with that to get it operating smoothly again.
All sorted now. That’s one of my winter jobs ticked off the list.

 

[vas]

good result!
make sure you don't drop any metalic things on it (or cover up the + exposed terminals...)
any idea WHY the coupling wasn't in place? heated, softened, stressed due to stuck motor now worked loose?
Not too keen with the placement of the whole thing next to the exhaust although it should be rather cool due to the seawater in it. Can you tuck it anywhere safer?

 

[Dino]

The arch gets used only a few times each year so I’m not too worried about it’s location. I will put some sort of cover over the terminals. Thanks for the tip.
I am not 100% sure if the coupling was out of place or not. The reservoir was very low so it may have air locked. I had also adjusted the valve to try to get it working and this may have affected it.
Good to have it working. Seems to be made by Ranger Hydraulics in Worcestershire.

 

[vas]

if you know the hoses route, check for any signs of leaks (most likely connections or ofcourse chaffe (if there are bits moving...)
ATF oil or SAE32? (aka red or clear?)
had small leaks on the ram using ATF, switched to normal hydraulic oil stopped