steering

[aztec]

h, has anyone got any info on hydraulic steering systems? where to get them,who makes them, or any benefits/problems.

also does anyone have any ideas "where else" the hydraulic pump part of the system may be used...i don't believe these pumps are built purely for boats. i used to work on "powered" versions on large plant, but the manual systems i'm not so familliar with.

any help in this appreciated, and all info kept on record for others to use.

regards,steve.

 

[hlb]

Well most are not powered except by turning the wheel. The wheel is the pump. So a rotary type pump will do, just attach wheel where handle was. Then just need standard rams on other end. Sorry my teas ready, got to go!!

Haydn

 

[kimhollamby]

What size of boat?

There are several systems you can go for, including Vetus, Hynautic and others. Most use pumps built in immediately behind the steering wheel, often with incorporated reservoir and self-venting capability. Hynautic uses a remote reservoir and needs to be pressurised to about 25-35psi with a car or bike pump.

Benefits: no cables to worry about, no changeover system required on dual helm, no slack in the system, relatively easy to add in an autopilot.

Downside: quite a few connections to keep an eye on (but usually reliable if installed well), big mess if you get a leak, not easy to jury rig rudder(s) if it all goes wrong.

Experience: about 13 years using Hynautic, one failure related to leak caused by my not getting quite brave enough with connections when fitting autopilot pump, otherwise fuss free save for slight 'notchiness' when rudders under load caused by hydraulic pump check valves chattering.

Associate Publisher ybw.com websites kim_hollamby@ipcmedia.com

 

[hlb]

All Well and good Kim. But.
I think the picture gives a clue to the boat in question.
And the blokes just asking if standard engineering parts will do(Mechano sets for grown ups.)

Haydn

 

[kimhollamby]

"any info on hydraulic steering systems? where to get them,who makes them, or any benefits/problems."

That's what I tried to answer

Associate Publisher ybw.com websites kim_hollamby@ipcmedia.com

 

[hlb]

So back to the plot.
I would think that more or less any hand pump of suitabe size would do. Like one of those pumps used for getting oil out of 45 gallon drum. except must pump both ways so needs valves. Its more a question of asthetics really and can you bolt it down in the right place without it looking a bit naf.
Bore size too, could be a problem or loads of reduction couplings needed. Give your local hydraulic stockist guy a ring. Main problem is doing the sums for the right number of turns of wheel lock to lock, or could look silly with 100 turns or half turn. Or why not be posh and cheaper. To little electric pumps and a toggle switch and do away with steering wheel. Just like on some new big posh boats. Super tankers dont have a wheel why should you.

Haydn

 

[hlb]

Oh sorry Kim, was'nt trying to sound offencive. I was just looking further down about other ways. And the guy knows a bit about hydraulics so should be able to sus something out
from a stockist of bits and bobs.

Haydn

 

[andyball]

Checking recently, I found lecomble & schmitt systems to be the cheapest. importers are www.europeanmarine.co.uk

l&s site is http://www.ls-france.com/accueil_gb.htm extra info at http://www.manex.co.za/lecomble1.htm

although, we just got a new boat, expecting to have to fit hydraulic steering for my wife, having previously tried a new boat with a 50hp outboard (a back injury means she found even that quite hard work....) BUT the (diffent model )new boat with 115hp is actually lighter and will probably be useable.....the point being that new cables/proper routing can make a huge difference to the effort needed. (in my very limited experience)

 

[BarryH]

Easiest way i think, well what i done anyway, go buy yourself secondand powerassisted ram from, Mercruiser/volvo, go find yourself pump from somthing like Rover V8 ford V6 or any other. Bolt it all on, hey presto, power assisted steering. Jury rig a tiller no prob, you got the tiller arm there anyway. Cost a fraction of the price of a new system, and its cheaoer to sevice cos the main parts are available overcounter at car shops/factors. Dearest part was pump from v8 @ £25.

BarryH

 

[aztec]

yep, you've got it, i just find paying a fortune for something sold in a box with "marine" written on the outside a bit pointless when i can build it myself,(once i can work out the component pieces)

engineering solutions......thats the name of the game ....sounds funky too!

 

[aztec]

hi barry, thanks for the reply, it seems that we could be talking the same language here. where did you get the ram?

 

[aztec]

making stuff from bits and bobs is what i'm all about, this post is a bit of a fact finding mission, as i'm sure all the parts are out there....just need to be identified and located. but the response is very wolcome, i know there are people out there who know much more than me.....vee need to find zees people and to extract zaire information....yah.

 

[BarryH]

Try the following companies. Ron hale marine, portsmouth. Seacat marine cornwall, Essex boatyards, essex funnily enough. Havent got the numbers to hand, but its worth picking up a copy of Boat mart international (sorry kim, not one of yours). its quiet good for bits and pieces and the grass roots stuff, not all glossy and glitzy.

I'm probably teaching granny to suck eggs, but the main thing is to get the pump spinning at the right RPM. rest is kids type stuff. Igot a quote for these dedicated marine systems in the region of £1000. Thats what made me look at doing it meself. Have you got shafts or outdrives cant remember been ages since i saw your boat.

Regards BarryH

 

[aztec]

i'm on enfield out drives, but i can take a belt take off from the engines, with some brackets made out of old cortinas naturally.

 

[BarryH]

So you got the morse type cable down to the tiller arms, make life ezey pezey. The "rack" is bolt on and play. get a one with knackered seal if you can, costs peanuts and dead easy to repair. The seals are available from any hydraulic hose supplier.I got a knakered merc one for 15 quid, seals cost 3 quid the lot (4 off). All the hoses nicked from the fork lift we use in the warehouse, It was knackered, well it is now.

Anyhow why aint you down the Quay

Regards BarryH

 

[aztec]

there's nothing left to say....you're the man!

 

[aztec]

ok, just read the post fully...which quay are you referring too...perchance?

just checked out your options, please forgive the incursion, but for a scary second i thought you might know me........i'm not sure if that's scary for me or you!

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by aztec on Fri Jan 25 22:51:29 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[BarryH]

That'll be a pint of Ringworm best, come easter, But the Quay can get too crowded so I'll propably be in the Horse & groom in the square, with a grease burger from Coppers

See ya then, BarryH

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by BarryH on Fri Jan 25 22:59:51 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[aztec]

yep ok you've got me sussed. a pint it is. just sent a private message, take note of the E mail address, it is diverted to me, just drop me a line when you're in the area, and the first round's on me.
regards,steve.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by aztec on Fri Jan 25 23:22:32 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[hlb]

Cors it dependes on the pump, and mathamatics. But a couple of pumps. one going one way and tother going other and some none return valves and some pipes looping. should do the trick. Only thing Im no good at is doing the sums. You dont want massive power or rudders go zoom left and zoom right. On other hand dont want to wait half hour before turning. Thort that that was sort of info you were after. Talk to some folkes in the trade. I've built all sorts at work but to long ago to remember. mostly Phumatic but its all the same.

Haydn