Hydraulic Steering Questions

[Krazymaan]

I've been collecting things. Now I finally have a Latham Side Ram, Pin and wing plate. Thats all I have for steering.
So question is, What helm do i need? whats that extra tank and air fitting for?
I have hydraulic steering now but its probably a seastar. one of the horizontal units in front of the motor. Can I just take off the hoses and swap over?
I do notice that on my system, It doesn't have that extra tank that you put air into, what is that for anyways? some sort of power assist via air pressure?
I heard before there are two brands to use, I don't remember their names, but I do know I want quality.
So what helm, tank thing, hydraulic lines, hydraulic fluid. Thanks again.

[captainsteve]

I use a Latham ram with a sea star helm. I don't need the pressure tank that you talking about but I did make a small reservoir hooked to the helm under the dash otherwise you don't have enough oil in the system. I forget the helm I have but if you have a seastar pro helm it won't work with that ram. Check with Charlie "mrcrsr " is his board name. He will tell you which helm we use. Latham will tell you this won't work, but it does.

[Krazymaan]

What does the pressure tank do?

[tux974]

It keeps the helm from running out of fluid!
2.4 Seastar is the correct helm for a side ram but like mentioned above you MAY run very low on fluid to one side that is why it is recommended to use an extra small tank/reservoir just in case. Not all guys run or need that extra tank so your call.
PS; the better helm but pricey would be the Capilano 1275V. It has a bigger helm/reservoir.

[W2F a V-King]

30 years ago I had a Hynautic Hydraulic steering in an offshore boat. It had a remote mounted reserve tank and designed for about 15lbs. of pressure IIRC. It had a shrader valve in the top of the tank. I carried a small hand pump in case of trouble, but never had any.

I used transmission fluid for steering fluid back then, and never had a hick up... NOT recommending this, but in a pinch....

The system worked fine with or without pressure on my rig anyway, but I "think" it was to keep the seals pressurized to seal better.

368487

[Go Time]

The "pressure tank" is a pressurized steering fluid reservoir used on Hynautic systems to maintain a solid fluid system and provide addition fluid volume. The issue with the single side ram is the system is "unbalanced", meaning it requires more fluid volume to operate the ram in one direction than the other. The seastar helm will work, but the steering response will be different when turning in one direction than the other.

[Krazymaan]

So I'm starting to get it. So the reservoir tank is pressurized because it has to sit lower than the helm? Does this have to do with getting fluid back up to the helm without air bubbles?
Latham also says do not use the 1275V thats for the balanced and/or twin cylinder models.
Latham says use the Hynautic helm and reservoir. 3172 helm and 6000 resv.

If i was smart enough, couldn't I use a different reservoir if i found one?
Do I have to buy their lines, can't i have my local hydraulic shop whip up some long lines for me?

I also see Capilano, Seastar and Hnautic are all Teleflex items. Thats probably why you can use the Seastar 2.4 and not the Pro.

[Krazymaan]

I can't find anywhere online anyone with a price that is selling the Hynautic Helm and Reservoir's
Helm-3172
Resv-6000
Any links would be great.
Thanks.

[tux974]

Interesting. I currently have 2 boats in my driveway set up with side ram and Capilano.
Lost count how many boats I have personally owned setup that way.
You do not need to run a large reservoir with the 2.4 helm, a coffee cup size will do.
There are guys running that setup without it trouble free. It is recommended because to one side it will just about empty the reservoir.
BTW, if you ask SeaStar they will tell you it will not work....:D
The simplest, proven and a good setup for your application is a SeaStar front mount Pro system or the UFlex.
GL sounds like you have things covered!

[vnemous]

I actually run a marine machine side ram and a 2.4 helm with no reservoir and have no trouble. Remember though no pro helm

[XstreamVking]

The small oil tanks from the opti's make a good res under the dash. Cap closes tight, can be pressurized slightly, and has the outlet at the very bottom.

[vnemous]

unvented Pro helm with unequal cylinder = this

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii3/vnemous/blownhelm.jpg (http://s260.photobucket.com/user/vnemous/media/blownhelm.jpg.html)

[vnemous]

The small oil tanks from the opti's make a good res under the dash. Cap closes tight, can be pressurized slightly, and has the outlet at the very bottom.
It has to be vented at least mine did and is. I blew the helm above when I was bleeding it but it was unvented and the pro helm is valved differently, JMO

[CNC_Guy]

I actually run a marine machine side ram and a 2.4 helm with no reservoir and have no trouble. Remember though no pro helm
How many turns lock to lock with the 2.4 helm?

[vnemous]

I believe its 4 one way and about 6 the other

[captainsteve]

Mine is 7 lock to lock. I added a small reservoir. The Latham ram seems to use a little more oil than the marine machine. When I first hooked it up it was just running out of oil one way but Charlie had the marine machine ram and had no problem.

Latham will also tell you the seastar helm will not work. I have had no problem this way. It is a lot easier to steer than the capilano.