Hydraulic steering

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NoFxdAdrs

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Sep 5, 2024
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I have a question about hydraulic steering.
I have a 10 meter steel cabin cruiser that has 2 steering stations. The pilothouse wheel needs 4.5 turns lock to lock, but the flybridge wheel only needs 1.5.
I've had a mechanic look at it, no leaks, and he says everything is ok. However, I can't believe there would be that kind of difference in the different wheels.
Any suggestions and/or opinions on why my pilothouse wheel is so loose (to me)?
 
I can think of two possible explanations. First, you have two different helm pumps. Helm pumps are sized by the volume of fluid they displace with one turn of the wheel.

Second possibility is a variation of the first - one or both of your helm pumps is adjustable (Capilano pumps have a black knob on the front that changes the number of turns lock-to-lock).

If you had a knowledgeable mechanic take a look, he'd probably know to look for an adjustable helm pump so likely you have two different pumps. Sometimes boatyards just use what they have on hand and simply didn't know the pumps were different.

Good luck.

Peter
 
What Weebles said

Most if not all hydraulic steering manufacturers make helm pumps that look alike, but pump different volumes of fluid, which makes each helm have different # turns

This is a Capilano Helm, the knob adjusts # turns

capilano.jpg
 
NoFxdAdrs said:
I have a question about hydraulic steering.
I have a 10 meter steel cabin cruiser that has 2 steering stations. The pilothouse wheel needs 4.5 turns lock to lock, but the flybridge wheel only needs 1.5.
I've had a mechanic look at it, no leaks, and he says everything is ok. However, I can't believe there would be that kind of difference in the different wheels.
Any suggestions and/or opinions on why my pilothouse wheel is so loose (to me)?
Click to expand...
I just converted my GB36 from cable & sheave to hydraulic. I use the Dometic Seatsar system. I installed everything and it all worked perfectly except my FB helm is about 6+ turns lock to lock and the lower helm is about 4+. Dometic said to check a list of things. Everything seems fine and there is no real issue with it except for the oddity of the different turns required. Dometic assured me that the helm pumps are the same. I figure I'll just live with it.
 
Quick and perhaps one of those dumb/unnecessary questions, the the diameter of wheels are the same?
 
OldDan1943 said:
Quick and perhaps one of those dumb/unnecessary questions, the the diameter of wheels are the same?
Click to expand...
Wheel diameter does not affect #of turns lock to lock.
It can have great effect on effort required to make those turns!
The OP’s fly bridge helm must take Herculean effort at 1.5 turns, unless it’s power steering.
 
NoFxdAdrs said:
I have a question about hydraulic steering.
I have a 10 meter steel cabin cruiser that has 2 steering stations. The pilothouse wheel needs 4.5 turns lock to lock, but the flybridge wheel only needs 1.5.
I've had a mechanic look at it, no leaks, and he says everything is ok. However, I can't believe there would be that kind of difference in the different wheels.
Any suggestions and/or opinions on why my pilothouse wheel is so loose (to me)?
Click to expand...
Could it be leaking internal at the steering head, bypassing
 
Air trapped in the lines can cause individual but similar stations to perform differently.
While not always possible, it’s beneficial to run all lines with constant upward slope towards the helm pumps.
I’ve had difficult to bleed systems that cured themselves overnight by just by letting them rest so that trapped bubbles can rise on their own.
 
If the helm pumps are the same displacement per turn, then both helms should behave the same way. Certainly check for variable displacement pumps. Also turn each helm all the way in each direction, and see if there is a firm stop at each end? If it’s squishy or you can keep turning the wheel, then there is air in the system, or a leak that is allowing fluid to bypass somehow.
 
kapnd said:
Air trapped in the lines can cause individual but similar stations to perform differently.
While not always possible, it’s beneficial to run all lines with constant upward slope towards the helm pumps.
I’ve had difficult to bleed systems that cured themselves overnight by just by letting them rest so that trapped bubbles can rise on their own.
Click to expand...
The first suggestion from Dometic was to bleed the system again. I have the Power Bleed Jr. pump kit, and I am getting clear fluid with no air bubbles. Still 4+ lower and 6+ upper stations lock to lock.
 
ronobrien said:
The first suggestion from Dometic was to bleed the system again. I have the Power Bleed Jr. pump kit, and I am getting clear fluid with no air bubbles. Still 4+ lower and 6+ upper stations lock to lock.
Click to expand...

Assuming no leaks at the helm pump (TT asked if there was a firm stop when helm is hardover), your two helms are not identical. One has a greater displacement than the other (example: 2.5 cu in vs 2.1 cu in). They may look the same but are not the same.
 
I agree. Both helms had a hard stop. My helms had the same number on the tags. I assume then that something got put into the wrong box. I plan to live with mine as is. Too much hassle otherwise.
 
Obvious check: is either wheel using a gear or sprocket + chain to drive the pump?
My last boat's wheel was connected to the pump via sprockets and chain.
 
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