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[philippev]

Hi,
I am cruising on west coast of Malaysia on a 44'' wooden motorboat. Hull is strip planking made with yellow balau and covered with fibreglass. Inside is bare-wood oiled with tung oil.
Not really a trawler but the hill was build with the US east coats trawlers in mind.
The engine is cotton greaves aircooled, it is in fact a Ruston & Hornsby that is still in production in India, they use it for marine or as stationary engine, I was told that some have over 100000h . Only 30 HP that gives a cruising speed of 6 knots.
I leave aboard with my wife since 07-2012.

 

[Orcades]

Hi there , cool, going to Penang ? Langkawi , have a great safe time , rains a lot egh

Good luck

Andy

 

[philippev]

Hi Orcades, was in Langkawi for a while (5 months on hardstand in Rebak), now as you see on the map I am in Penang. i am installing an hydraulic power steering.
Not easy to find parts and skills locally, but that is part of the adventure

 

[Orcades]

Yea parts may be difficult but I found the people willing and friendly ,

Love to do that trip , how did you get there ? Buy the boat there ?

Andy

 

[philippev]

Yes, she has been built in Langkawi in 2007 and had only 270 hours on the engine when I bought her in Langkawi .
I still have to work on many upgrades but it seems that it is the story of many boat owners : fixes, repairs, upgrades, refits..
It is true that people here are willing to help and are very kind but you must be very precise in your request, better have drawings and be there to avoid errors, there is very little yacht culture nor knowledge (or it is at a high price tag).
I am on a budget so I try to do many things myself, it is also the best way to know your boat in details.
Sometime it is difficult to make technical choices, like for the hydraulic system, the local specialist recommend to use all flexible hoses , it is indeed the easiest and least expansive but I believe that SS piping, at least for a part of the installation, would be neater and better.
Well it seems that it will not be that easy to get everything together...
Also I don't understand well the distribution model, very few info on the internet price may vary widely and ebay is not popular. So far ordering direct from china good quality parts has been the easiest.

 

[Orcades]

Yea agree with your strategy . 10mm st st pipe and compression fittings called sledge lock , for the main runs and HP hose connectors at the ends . You can ad a tee piece hear and there in case you need additional hydraulic take off . Don't think should've too expensive out there . If you know your exact route on the boat you could get the shapes bent to suit and just use the couplings for connecting. Quite simple, srap down along a main beam .

Cheers Andy

 

[Orcades]

Swedge lock ( my auto speller )!

 

[IslandEagle]

Swedge lock ( my auto speller )!

Swage Lok actually... Swagelok.com the source for tube fittings, valves, and other fluid system components - Swagelok

Also, mild copper (refrigeration tubing) is just as good and much easier to work with.

Scott Welch
Island Eagle

 

[Orcades]

Thanks for the correction , do you think a copper system is capable of the hydraulic pressures our new friend needs

Andy

 

[CPseudonym]

Copper tubing has approx 1200+ psi burst strength so should be more than adequate. That's from memory, if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me.

 

[IslandEagle]

Thanks for the correction , do you think a copper system is capable of the hydraulic pressures our new friend needs

Andy

Yes, copper is fine.

Scott

 

[philippev]

It's a power steering with a vane pump on the engine set at 70 bars (1015psi).
An idea of the circuit here : http://seafirst.co.kr/sub.php?left=4&cd=1

I was all for copper too. easy to cut and bend but with a 4 gpm open circuit flow I should go to 1/2 tube .
K copper in 1/2 is 891 psi and ACR is around 740 psi , I know this are the recommended working pressure and it would endure 3 or 4000 psi but would you take the bet for your steering ?

For the extra take off I am looking to change the autopilot solenoid valve Cetop plate in order to have a extra space for a future windlass solenoid valve (windlass is now 220v).
On the other hand It could be done later too (I should have think about this when purchasing the manifold). The only point of doing it now is to have an oil free circuit, cleaner to work and les risk of contamination.

I have sent a request for quote to swage lock last thursday via their website. Btw I found their site very well designed as is their pocket guide.
I also asked a distributor of Hy-lock (Chinese brand which seems to provide good quality fittings).

 

[IslandEagle]

It's a power steering with a vane pump on the engine set at 70 bars (1015psi).
An idea of the circuit here : http://seafirst.co.kr/sub.php?left=4&cd=1

I was all for copper too. easy to cut and bend but with a 4 gpm open circuit flow I should go to 1/2 tube .
K copper in 1/2 is 891 psi and ACR is around 740 psi , I know this are the recommended working pressure and it would endure 3 or 4000 psi but would you take the bet for your steering ?

For the extra take off I am looking to change the autopilot solenoid valve Cetop plate in order to have a extra space for a future windlass solenoid valve (windlass is now 220v).
On the other hand It could be done later too (I should have think about this when purchasing the manifold). The only point of doing it now is to have an oil free circuit, cleaner to work and les risk of contamination.

I have sent a request for quote to swage lock last thursday via their website. Btw I found their site very well designed as is their pocket guide.
I also asked a distributor of Hy-lock (Chinese brand which seems to provide good quality fittings).

Ah, power is different. For that copper will not be enough. But why power steering? Seems a bit overkill...

Scott

 

[Tidahapah]

Philippev,
have you tried purchasing from Aus.
may be a little more expensive than China but web sites are good and sourcing materials and items would be easy.
transport to Malaysia would not be to expensive.

I personally think the power steering may be a bit of overkill.
Have a look at HyDrive in Australia.
They make an excellent hydraulic steering unit.
I fitted mine 18 years ago, all piped in 1/2" copper with HP flexible at each end and fir the Ocy pump and bloc v/v take offs.
Cheers
Benn

 

[philippev]

Hi tidhahapah,

I have looked to buy in Australia but it was quite expansive with the Aussie $ so high since 2008.
I have ordered some Victron items from Germany. Without VAT and with reasonable shipping and also some items from US.
Many ship are offering to get west marine items but I have not tried that yet.
Will maybe order chain and windlass from AU when times come to replace the heavy chain winch I have on the deck. Muir look like good value.
I already have all the items for the power steering (I went to Singapore for the valve and pump) so no way back, still have to install the cylinder and order and install piping then fill the oil tank.
I am still unsure about the fluid I will use synthetic or mineral. Synthetic is 2x the price but should be good for longer and in case of leak it's more environment friendly (Although here in Malaysia it is not in their priority) Maybe less messy than mineral oil (I don't no).