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Constant Running Hydraulic Pump - Installation Guide 9
CAUTION:
Do not use PTFE tape on hydraulic pipe connections. If necessary
use a pipe-sealing compound to ensure a leakproof joint.
CAUTION:
Before running the pump for the first time, make sure the system
contains sufficient hydraulic fluid. You will damage the pump if
you let it run when ‘dry’.
Check valves
For single-steering position boats:
• Consult the steering gear manufacturer to determine whether the
helm pump is fitted with reversing check valves:
• without check valves, the autopilot pump will drive the helm
pump (sometimes referred to as ‘motoring the wheel’) instead
of moving the steering ram
• If the boat has a single helm pump system without check valves,
you must incorporate a double pilot check valve (part number:
M81166) as shown in Figure 3.
• A double pilot check valve may also be necessary on long pipe
runs - otherwise pipe expansion may cause poor autopilot
performance. Install the check valve as shown in Figure 3.
Note: If the boat has two steering positions, it will already have check
valves installed so the two wheels can operate independently.
Hydraulic steering systems
There are three basic types of hydraulic steering systems:
• two line system
• three line system
• two line pressurized system
On the following pages we describe each type of system and typical
connection points for the autopilot pump. For all of these systems you
will need to connect a third hydraulic pipe as shown between the
autopilot pump and the helm pump or dedicated system reservoir.