Power steering from both engines?
 

I have twin HP500EFI engines....and like every other setup I've ever seen, I only have one power steering pump.
Why is that?
When there is a failure that dictates I shut down the engine with the power steering pump.....why can't I switch some values and use the other engine for power steering (I mean having dual pumps with a switch over capability).
Thanks for the insight.....
-Steve

It is possible to do, there are a couple of different ways to do it. Here are some previous threads that touch on it.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...ity-valve.html

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...-steering.html


http://www.lathammarine.com/st1b.htm#1

take a look at your power steering pump and the crank pulley for other motor. many have room to run a belt between them to get you home. but you hafta have it measured and on board ahead of time! of course, once you do that, you will never need it...

had a Buddy lose his pump on his 1350's at Boyne Thunder & plans 2 do the above & make sure he it not in that position again!!

Thanks for the input....I never thought of running the pump from the other engine via an extra belt!
-Steve

I highly doubt you'll find a way to get a belt from one engine to the other. My boat has a tee at the filter both pressure lines feed, and a tee in the return line before the coolers, separate cooler each engine. Works fine no valves no problems

Work on a lot of paramilitary trash. Done dual pump set ups. You need to put T valves on each side so that the pump can either go through the power steering system or be shunted back to it's own reservoir and use only one side at a time. Just using Ts and hooking everything together is a good way to loose your hydraulic oil. Scenario runs one engine dies and when the fluid exits the power steering system it still goes to both tanks but the dead side isn't pumping it back into the system so after a while the oil over flows from the tank vent.:confused:

Thanks for the T value input.......your experience=my savings :)

I have pumps on both engines. Flow is downhill from large overflow/reservoir to first engine (T on top of cap) to second engine. No issues. I have #6 drives - no way to turn those beasts with out power!

Buy a Formula they come stock that way. two PS pumps for safety

We've done it on a diesel endurance boat in the UK - lose the separate reservoirs and have one reservoir for both pumps, the rest is just plumbing!

I've run into the same issue with just one pump and it's why mine is out of commission at the moment. I wanted two (2) from day one but can't seem to get the guy's who work on my boat to get it done. I know it's going to be a winter priority this year. It's no fun either having to get towed back in or try and idle for miles back to the dock...

Am I the only one that can still steer my scarab even if the power steering engine is not running? Yes it steers harder but in a pinch it's manageable. Is that extra plumbing and complexity worth it for the rare amount of times you will be down one engine?

I've done it, It's only difficult at speed (lose the belt) but idling its really not that bad, at least not on my boat

fixx
 

i say elminate the whole thind pump belts and all and go with a dc powered power steering pump.had a friend that ran one on his boat and worked great! here is one but i know they make them for a i/o also..

http://www.teleflexmarine.com/produc...ering-new/spa/

The Mercury Verado outboards have them as standard - easy to fit as well! (edit not the Seastar version but the 12vdc power steering)