Hydraulic Steering Upgrade

Captains Cat · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:51 pm Post subject:

Dusty, don't believe that for one minute! You're not one step behind, you're in front, just going the wrong way.....

Like me...

Les Lampman · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 10:18 pm Post subject:

I can't tell you what a treat is was to read this thread! Laughing

das flug · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 2:31 pm Post subject:

Just an update on this project – I bought the Baystar steering and St6001 Autopilot and spent 2 weekends getting everything installed. Everything went smoothly for the most part, and thank god none of the hydraulic connections leaked, because draining and refilling the system looked like no fun at all. There wasn’t enough room in the transom well to pull out the old steering cable without yanking the 400# motor off, so I thought I’d be smart and just whack it off with a grinder. All that went fine, but then I found out I had to pull the motor off anyway to get the new Baystar guide rod into the steering tube. So much for that bright idea. The connecting hardware that came with the linear rudder sensor bolted right up perfectly to the Baystar steering cylinder. (Chivita Dave - I think Raymarine must have made some improvements on this one.)

Because all that wasn’t a big enough project by itself, I found a deal on a never-used Raymarine L760 chartplotter/fishfinder that I couldn’t pass up ($500, complete with GPS antenna and Cmap charts for my area, from a failed boat restoration project). It connects up pretty seamlessly with the 6001 AP using Raymarine “Seatalk ” connections.

I finally got out to calibrate and Sea-trial the whole system last weekend, and it all works better than I could have expected. Even at the lowest response setting the AP steers a much tighter course than I can, even at trolling speeds. I can put the cursor on the chartplotter on a spot, hit “go to cursor”, and them let the AP take over. I’m definitely gonna be spoiled now.

Anyway thanks for all the feedback, and thanks especially to Les for talking me into the 6001 AP system. Now it’s time to quit working on boat projects and go fishing.

Jim F (Das Flug)

Captains Cat · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 3:12 pm Post subject:

Jim, good info here for all. I've got twin 45's (Honda's) with Baystar already installed. Looked at the autopilot install manuals on the 'net but can't figure out where the hydraulic pump should go. Some of the pictures show it in one of the stern lazarettes, is that where you put yours? Forsee any problems in installing the autopilot after the steering system is in and running?

Charlie

Captains Cat · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 3:22 pm Post subject:

Just went back and read some of the original posts and looked at what I've got and darned if I don't have Sea Star, not Bay Star. Les, you're the guru, what impact will that have. I read the bit about which part moves in the motor well, the tubing, etc.

Charlie

das flug · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 4:08 pm Post subject:

Charlie - It should be pretty easy. I'm pretty sure the only difference is with the plumbing fittings. You would need to get new hoses made up with swaged ends to tee into the existing hydraulic lines, which I understand can get expensive. Baystar uses nylon lines that you can just cut and connect with just Teleflex's proprietary compression fittings. As far as I can see, that and having to empty/refill the hydraulic system are the only obstacles.

I mounted my hydraulic pump inside behind the helm bulkhead. The motor is very compact; about 6-8" long or so. I made up a small bracket that hangs off the bulkhead with some high-density plastic stock I had laying around. I liked this location just to keep the pump protected and keep the clutter out of the motor well.

Jim F

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 4:23 pm Post subject:

Jim F

You may have seen my other post. You, apparently mounted your ST6001 pump behind the helm. The book says near the RAM. I'd like to put it behind the helm, less electrical runs, shorter hydraulic run. The Seastar hydraulics uses a rigid plastic pipe and fittings with built in compression thingies. Looks simple enough but the bend is somewhat limited. I got a Teleflex kit with tubing, fittings, T's etc. I'm ready to roll as soon as I figure out the best location for that darn pump. Things are getting crowded behind the helm but the starboard Lazarette has a battery switch, a big battery and two Racor Fuel filters in it. Would be real crowded with the pump in there too.

Charlie

jflug · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:56 pm Post subject:

Hi Charlie - I haven't been able to respond for awhile because my password and user name were so screwed up I had to re-register.

Anyway, so far I really like the location behind the helm. I had the Baystar steering, and even with that it was a bit crowded, but once it was in it's pretty compact. I saw the same recommendation on mounting the AP pump as close as possible to the steering cylinder. I'm betting many of these AP's are getting mounted on much bigger boats with MUCH longer tubing runs, so the distance between the C-Dory helm and the steering cylinder at the back is probably relatively short. The response on mine is still very fast, so it doesn't seem to be affecting the performance. The noise is also not that noticeable and doesn't bother me at all.

Jim F (Das Flug)

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 8:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jim. That's what I've decided to do based on what you have said and what Dusty told me on on the other thread. I'm going to mount the pump on some SeaBoard and screw it all to the back of the helm bulkhead. Don't have the boat here so it'll take a little planning ahead of time. Did you mount your pump to the hull or the bulkhead? Is it horizontal, I would assume so? That thing is kinda heavy!

thanks again for the help, I'll take some pix as I install it.

Charlie

jflug · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:53 am Post subject:

Charile - I mounted it directly to the helm bulkhead, which on my old boat is 3/4" Decra-guard plywood. I used either #8 or #10 wood screws. The mount is just a small horizontal shelf with a 45-degree brace screwed to a short vertical piece of the same width. This is one place where a picture is worth a lot of my yammering, so I'll try to take a picture this weekend.

Jim

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 7:57 am Post subject:

Thanks Jim. The way you did it is about what I had in mind only my bulkhead is cored FG. I plan to use StarBoard and build a shelf with 45degree supports. I'm a little concerned about vibration but we'll just have to watch it. I'll need to find a spot where I can mount it without interfering with the FG wiring cover. I also need to take into account the bend radius of that composite tubing (whatever it is) so I don't overstress that.

It's great to have a project like that and my radar installation in the future. Wish the boat were closer so I could do it weekday nights too but it's about 90miles away.

Will look forward to the pix if you get time, don't go out of your way to do it though!

Thanks!! Thumbs Up

Charlie

jflug · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 5:59 pm Post subject: AP bracket photo

Charile - I tooka picture of the bracket, but because I don't have an album set up yet so I couldn't post it to the site. If you can give me your address I'll e-mail it - Jim

TyBoo · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 6:09 pm Post subject:

Hey Jim - sorry - how's this? Pescadory Album

jflug · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 11:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks Mike - You're right on top of it. The photo's there - Jim

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 6:58 am Post subject:

Jim, thanks for the picture. That's about what I had in mind but didn't think of mounting it perpendicular to the bulkhead! That'll save room and since the mounting holes are way down towards the pump end, it makes sense.

I'll post a picture of mine when it gets done. You might put it under the tech area also, anyone can post there I think.

Charlie