Auto Pilot Hydraulic Pump

[JulianDeMarchi]

Heya,

Getting an EV-1 Raymarine auto pilot on the 10th. The install guide states that they recommend that the pump be placed near the steering ram. I was hoping I could install the pump in my half cab instead of near the ram at the stern.

Does anyone know if this could cause an issue with the pump?

[honda900]

Julian,

ask Spaniard King, pretty sure he installed one.

Regards
Honda.

[scottar]

The only reason I can think of that they would want the pump as close to the motor as possible is to prevent/minimise any issues due to line expansion. The "theory" is that the pressure when the pump runs makes the line expand so as not all the oil is actually pushing the ram across. Hydrive used to advise against the use of rubber/braided hydraulic lines for the same reason on the grounds the steering would feel "spongy". If this was to occur on a pilot with no rudder sensor which I assume the Raymarine is, it would mean that the system would not be getting the rudder (outboard) where it wanted it and possibly causing wandering. (see comment about double check valves on page 13 of the manual)

However - in the real world I never saw the issue. We used braided rubber lines a lot as they were a heap easier to work with than copper and I never had a steering system do anything it wasn't supposed to. In an outboard powered rig if you were creating enough pressure to expand lines you have something drastically wrong. I would be more concerned with the possibility of the pump getting water damaged if mounted down the back end as they typically don't take kindly to hydration.

I think the manual is written as a broad based installation guide covering installs on a range of boats - some of which may have "long" hydraulic runs. A trailer boat is not such a boat. Mount your pump where it won't get wet.

[gofishin]

I mounted mine in the cabin, behind the helm/electronics cover for exactly the reasons scottar has mentioned.

What's more, I have the Kevlar reinforced 'supple' lines that were mentioned, and yes they do expand sufficiently so that you can shake the O/B back and forth by ~10mm a side by shaking the donk. (And no, there is no air in the system. I posted a thread about this a few yrs ago with a short video of the movement).

There is no real discernible indication of 'play' from the helm/pilot, except in calm conditions when you are really hooting along. I do have the hydrive poly tube and all the fittings to change over to, just have not got around to it!

Obviously it would work a lot better without the 'play', but proves there are no real issues with this type of install (might not be so good w/out rudder feedback).
Cheers
Brendon
PS. Furuno 711 with SeaStar Smartstick rudder feedback, Raymarine AP pump. Note: AP pump has to be below the helm pump, and fit a bleed/vent line in between.


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[Spaniard_King]

Julian %90 of boats your size install the pump in the cabin it's just easier to do it that way.

Just make sure you bleed the hydraulics system properly