Autopilot Pump Location

C

Captains Cat

New member
I'm about to "mate" a Raytheon ST6001 Autopilot with the SeaStar steering on Captain's Choice. The SeaStar has a single Cylinder that drives two Honda 45's back aft.

Have read all I can find and the SeaStar stuff seems to indicate an up front location for the pump, as close to the wheel as possible but I read something else that indicates that the pump should be as close to the cylinder as possible.

Anyone done this before? Where should the pump go? Shouldn't really make any difference, guess the up front location will prevent running long lines back to the pump from the wheel pump unit. Also shorter signal wires. They sell a "kit" with fittings to do this and there isn't much hydraulic tubing which would indicate the up front location.

Also, they indicate that if the wheel pump unit doesn't have check valves built in, check valves should be installed between the pump and the wheel to prevent "motoring" the wheel. Can't find any indication in my SeaStar manual or on the website if the check valves are present or not. Anyone know?

Having fun adding new radar (SL72RC) along with the autopilot. Going to leave all 10meters of cable coiled up on the electronics shelf as recommended by nearly everyone!

Thanks for any advice anyone can give..

Charlie
 
The 5271 helms do have check valves built in....also the baystar helms have them. The seastar 5271 will not feed back to the wheel from the motor rams, and, I am sure will not be spun from an autopilot. Les Lampman will probably see this and verify it. I put an extra 5271 helm inline for a cockpit 2nd helm. Operation of either of the helms will not affect the other. Ron (aka "digger") on Snoopy-C
 
Thanks a bunch Ron. Asked Les in a PM but am sure he's "underwater" with the boating season. How about where to mount it? Front location is what I'm leaning towards. The kit you must have used for your second location is the same one as they have for the autopilot. Same fittings and all.

Charlie
 
Have read all I can find and the SeaStar stuff seems to indicate an up front location for the pump, as close to the wheel as possible but I read something else that indicates that the pump should be as close to the cylinder as possible.

Anyone done this before? Where should the pump go? Shouldn't really make any difference, guess the up front location will prevent running long lines back to the pump from the wheel pump unit. Also shorter signal wires. They sell a "kit" with fittings to do this and there isn't much hydraulic tubing which would indicate the up front location.
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OK, still need some help. Got the autopilot (ST6001) today and it definitely says that the pump unit should be as close to the RAM as possible. That would put it in the STBD Lazarette or near there. Will necessitate running one hydraulic line from the Seastar helm unit back to it but the Two helm station/Autopilot kit that came from Teleflex has plenty of line and fittings for that. Will make longer electrical connections as it'll have to connect to the computer behind the instrument panel.

Any one have this installed? How did you do it. Will look for pictures, think I saw a pump in a lazarette somewhere but don't remember exactly where!

Thanks..

Chalrie
 
Captains Choice":2eksjpbj said:
Any one have this installed? How did you do it. Will look for pictures, think I saw a pump in a lazarette somewhere but don't remember exactly where!
Click to expand...

Hey Charlie,

Might have been mine - here's a pic of how Les does it.

If you want more pics, let me know the details and I'll go take some more.
 
Thanks Bill. That's the one I remember. Jim on Das Flug has his forward which would be easier. If I don't hear more in a day or so, I'll call Les at EQ Marine and see what the technical concensus is on where to put it. Hydraulid fluid is fluid and the medium, it shouldn't make any difference! Forward is much more convenient!

charlie
 
Forward easier, but also noisier. Not objectionable to these old ears, but you young kids might growl. It worked fine forward, but Les plans to mount mine aft on the Orca... probably the shorter the hoses from pump to ram, the less the flex. And that's a guess.

Happy hosing...

Dusty
 
Thanks Dusty. I knew one of the Lampman's would be in here sooner or later. Didn't know the pump would be noisy, guess I should have. After a couple of years in the engine and boiler rooms next to forced draft blowers I can't hear much anyway so I guess I'll opt for the forward position. The flex won't be a problem because the hoses running to the ram are already there, have been for over 10 years with no problems. It'll just require three short hoses from the pump to the back of the helm. I hope my earlier answer from someone about the SeaStar helm unit having internal check valves was correct otherwise the pump will "motor" the wheel!!

Next weekend is shaping up to be busy, will try to install the Raymarine Radar SL72RC+ (with chartplotter and GPS) and the autopilot ST6001 at the same time. Should be interesting. One thing I haven't come to grips with yet is how to use the two GPS's. One with the Radar and one with the Garmin 182C. Not sure whether to try to connect them both to the radar and autopilot with a switch to select one or the other or just let the Garmin be totally independent. I like the color chart, the Raymarine unit is B&W but just don't know whether to try the switch or not. The week after that (19th), Six other C-Dorys will visit my pier for the weekend!

How have you been? Haven't heard for awhile. Guess the boating season has got us both! Saw a few fishing posts, guess that's what keeps you busy! I can't wait to really retire, I'm a little worried about keeping busy but will try it anyway in a couple of years...

Any second thoughts about the Indy get together on the right coast this fall?

Charlie
 
You made a wise choice, I think. Auto pilots have come a long long way in just a few years.

The noise isn't bad at all - you just know it is there. In fairly heavy weather the pilot works hard and generates some hefty pressures in the lines as it tries to maintain the heading. Just a little expansion or contraction in the lines will add some slop to the system, so the shorter the lines the less the slop. The new pilot with the gyro input is unbelievable, and is the equal IMO of much more expensive pilots - and I've installed a bunch of 'em.

Les, the working one, is the guy to talk with if you have install problems -- if you can get him. They are operating at full throttle right now and in his rare time off I point him toward the Orca hoping he will see her... hope to break a bottle on the bow at our next Blakely gathering. Les will mount the autopilot this Sunday I think. In his spare-spare time he is bringing his 34 ft. sailboat back to life. Now THAT is a project. She is gorgeous and well worth the effort. Cutter rigged, and fit for round-the-world kind of sailing and full-time living.

Not sure on the Indy reunion, old feller -- the doc has really cut my flying time down -- no more than two shots of Glenlivit 18 during happy hour.

Dusty
 
Gee Dusty, if you time the flight right, you could hit cocktail hour three times on the trip across!! :cocktail :cocktail :cocktail

Just kidding, take it easy and obey them what's keeping you going!!

Bought some starboard plastic lumber at Boat US this afternoon and will make a hefty mounting bracket for the pump. Hydraulics and electronics in one install!! :o Where's a good systems engineer when you need one. I know, he's at EQ Marine!! :wink

I love sailboats! have had several, can't beat the feeling of cruising along with no noise! I miss it but maybe someday again. My bride wants a little day sailer for the creek and I think I'll surprise her with one for her birthday this year...

Take 'er easy, thanks for the autopilot advice!

Charlie
 
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