DaveSunsation
08-27-2002 | 04:46 PM
#1
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From: riverton, ut, USA
DaveSunsation
i have a 1998 dominator and i am planning on installing full hydraulic steering this winter. i am wondering what system you recommend for this application and if there are any issues as far as clearances go especially in the helm, it’s pretty tight in there. i’m not familiar with how hydraulic steering ties in yet so any info is appreciated. will the engines need to be pulled in order to access and disconnect the existing steering?
Thank you,
dean campbell
Thank you,
dean campbell
Last edited by dean campbell; 08-27-2002 at 08:08 PM.
08-28-2002 | 07:47 AM
#2
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From: Algonac, MI USA
Dean,
My best advice is to have you talk with Barry Miller here at the plant (our plant supervisor) and let him explain everything you'll have to do. Barry can be reached at 810-794-488 7am-3pm m-f, 6am-10am sat. If I can help with anything else, please feel free to contact me as well at the number listed.
Sincerely,
DaveSunsation
My best advice is to have you talk with Barry Miller here at the plant (our plant supervisor) and let him explain everything you'll have to do. Barry can be reached at 810-794-488 7am-3pm m-f, 6am-10am sat. If I can help with anything else, please feel free to contact me as well at the number listed.
Sincerely,
DaveSunsation
08-28-2002 | 08:44 AM
#3
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Dean,
There is actually more room in the helm than you (and myself at first) probably think (thought). I am running the Latham Helm unit with Warlock rams. I started off with just the add on Warlock, then added the helm over the winter. I would highly stress to get everything done at once and do not settle for just an add on system. I know other people have had some luck, but my setup was down right dangerous at times.
One other thing to consider is dropping a few more bills on the twin engine pump setup. Not sure if you have two fluid pumps, but my port engine had a steering pump that wasn't doing anything at all. I decided to go ahead with the two pump manifold setup for a few hundred more dollars. The very first out of the year, I lost my starboard motor and had to putz 3 miles back to the marina on one motor. Without the two pump manifold setup, this would have been a little difficult. Without the hydraulic helm, however, this would have been impossible!!! I figured the price of the manifold paid for itself after this outing. In fact, I had the other motor quit on me a few weekends back (ignition wire feel off key switch). I drove for 5 miles at 30 mph on one motor and the steering felt just the same as it always did. Again, the system paid for itself.
As for the engine compartment, it is very tight. At the very least, you will most likely need to remove the risers on your exhaust (unless you have the HP's). After that, find a very tall and skinny kid to squeeze in there.
The only other option I can think of, is to have the boys lay up a new Innovator for you. MUCH more room in the engine compartment (hey Dave, I fully expect a 3% commission charge
)
-Bayley
There is actually more room in the helm than you (and myself at first) probably think (thought). I am running the Latham Helm unit with Warlock rams. I started off with just the add on Warlock, then added the helm over the winter. I would highly stress to get everything done at once and do not settle for just an add on system. I know other people have had some luck, but my setup was down right dangerous at times.
One other thing to consider is dropping a few more bills on the twin engine pump setup. Not sure if you have two fluid pumps, but my port engine had a steering pump that wasn't doing anything at all. I decided to go ahead with the two pump manifold setup for a few hundred more dollars. The very first out of the year, I lost my starboard motor and had to putz 3 miles back to the marina on one motor. Without the two pump manifold setup, this would have been a little difficult. Without the hydraulic helm, however, this would have been impossible!!! I figured the price of the manifold paid for itself after this outing. In fact, I had the other motor quit on me a few weekends back (ignition wire feel off key switch). I drove for 5 miles at 30 mph on one motor and the steering felt just the same as it always did. Again, the system paid for itself.
As for the engine compartment, it is very tight. At the very least, you will most likely need to remove the risers on your exhaust (unless you have the HP's). After that, find a very tall and skinny kid to squeeze in there.
The only other option I can think of, is to have the boys lay up a new Innovator for you. MUCH more room in the engine compartment (hey Dave, I fully expect a 3% commission charge
)-Bayley
08-28-2002 | 10:35 AM
#4
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From: riverton, ut, USA
bayley,
· what do you mean “I know other people have had some luck, but my setup was down right dangerous at times”? are you talking about having a partial hydraulic system?
· what all comes with the twin engine pump setup? is it just a manifold? is it a manifold with valves? check valves? or a bunch more hardware? i do have 2 hyd. pumps now.
· how did you know you had a steering pump that wasn’t doing anything at all?
· why are you running a latham helm unit with warlock rams? does latham make a better helm unit and warlock better rams?
i don’t mind spending a bit more $ for safety and reliability.
THAT IS SO IRONIC ! my starboard ignition wire came off my ignition switch 3 weekends ago and i had to drive about 7 miles back. weird.
Thank you,
dean campbell
· what do you mean “I know other people have had some luck, but my setup was down right dangerous at times”? are you talking about having a partial hydraulic system?
· what all comes with the twin engine pump setup? is it just a manifold? is it a manifold with valves? check valves? or a bunch more hardware? i do have 2 hyd. pumps now.
· how did you know you had a steering pump that wasn’t doing anything at all?
· why are you running a latham helm unit with warlock rams? does latham make a better helm unit and warlock better rams?
i don’t mind spending a bit more $ for safety and reliability.
THAT IS SO IRONIC ! my starboard ignition wire came off my ignition switch 3 weekends ago and i had to drive about 7 miles back. weird.
Thank you,
dean campbell
08-28-2002 | 11:33 AM
#6
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Dean,
The system was dangerous when I had only the add - on rams. This was because the brazil valve on the original cable driven rack was used to proportion the fluid to the rams. The cable system had tons of slack in it. What happened was that this forced to make large movements in the wheel in order to move the drives. Then when the drives would finally move, it would be in large, sudden, jerky movements. With the hydraulic helm, I can make very small adjustments at the wheel and expect the same output at the drives.
Twin engine pump setup comes with:
Char-Lyn helm pump (wheel)
Twin Pump Manifold
Reservoir
All associated hydraulic lines
I've attached a picture I bootlegged from the Imco website. Their setup is almost identical to the Latham. Expect to spend at most $1000 for a single engine helm kit and $2000 for a twin engine setup.
As for the extra power steering pump, it should be located on the lower port side of the engine. I noticed that one of my pumps simply had a really short piece of hose that just looped the two connectors on the pump together. I looked up the pricing and it was actually more expensive to replace the pump with an idle pulley than to replace the pump outright. Gotta love Merc!
I think just about everyone who makes external steering has the same quality. I based my decisions on price. When I bought the rams, Warlock had the best prices. Then when I upgraded to the helm unit, Latham was able to beat everyone elses prices. It's all the same stuff.
That's funny about the ignition wire. Right after mine fell off, I immediately remembered the one wire that didn't quite "snap" into place when I replaced the ignition switches. The most beautiful thing I ever saw was that one ignition wire dangling loose. I was anticipating MUCH worse.
-Bayley
The system was dangerous when I had only the add - on rams. This was because the brazil valve on the original cable driven rack was used to proportion the fluid to the rams. The cable system had tons of slack in it. What happened was that this forced to make large movements in the wheel in order to move the drives. Then when the drives would finally move, it would be in large, sudden, jerky movements. With the hydraulic helm, I can make very small adjustments at the wheel and expect the same output at the drives.
Twin engine pump setup comes with:
Char-Lyn helm pump (wheel)
Twin Pump Manifold
Reservoir
All associated hydraulic lines
I've attached a picture I bootlegged from the Imco website. Their setup is almost identical to the Latham. Expect to spend at most $1000 for a single engine helm kit and $2000 for a twin engine setup.
As for the extra power steering pump, it should be located on the lower port side of the engine. I noticed that one of my pumps simply had a really short piece of hose that just looped the two connectors on the pump together. I looked up the pricing and it was actually more expensive to replace the pump with an idle pulley than to replace the pump outright. Gotta love Merc!
I think just about everyone who makes external steering has the same quality. I based my decisions on price. When I bought the rams, Warlock had the best prices. Then when I upgraded to the helm unit, Latham was able to beat everyone elses prices. It's all the same stuff.
That's funny about the ignition wire. Right after mine fell off, I immediately remembered the one wire that didn't quite "snap" into place when I replaced the ignition switches. The most beautiful thing I ever saw was that one ignition wire dangling loose. I was anticipating MUCH worse.
-Bayley
