Sea Star Steering..Need some HELP!!!

[ToonGuy]

One more last run through every thing to triple check it before launching tomorrow and BAM...blew ANOTHER line. I don't get it...can't figure out what's happening. It seems like a simple set up. After the pump the line T's, and goes to each motor. There's no obstructions and they turn easy. Must have run it lock to lock 20 times no problems. Then I ran it to lock starboard, turned back one rotation, back to lock starboard, then started back to port and it blew. Not sure yet if it's the same line but it's the same motor (port).

Could the relief valve in my brand new power assist unit be bad?

I've run out ideas, and patience. I'm ready give up on this project

[Mrtoler]

I'll take it off your hands!

[Bryden24shp]

Wow, those are some high pressure hoses, too! Hmm. After the tee, are they running to the inlet sides of the rams? I have seen a few set ups where they do not run tee's. They run the outlet side of one ram to the inlet side of the other. Something to try, anyway. Kind of run them in series, so to speak.
Let me know what happens. If all else fails. Sell me your boat!!!

[Mrtoler]

Hey Brian, I asked first!!!!

[tuned]

Call Teleflex. Their reps are A1.
I'm not real up on twin installations and I may be mistaken, but did I read something somewhere about a 'balancing' valve?
Keep at it bro. Look at it this way. ..ur still gonna beat me to cruise yet. I've got some lit on the subject, so while I'm trying not to blow up any boilers tonight, I'll refresh on the subject and get back to you if I find anything

[teecro]

One more last run through every thing to triple check it before launching tomorrow and BAM...blew ANOTHER line. I don't get it...can't figure out what's happening. It seems like a simple set up. After the pump the line T's, and goes to each motor. There's no obstructions and they turn easy. Must have run it lock to lock 20 times no problems. Then I ran it to lock starboard, turned back one rotation, back to lock starboard, then started back to port and it blew. Not sure yet if it's the same line but it's the same motor (port).

Could the relief valve in my brand new power assist unit be bad? YES
I've run out ideas, and patience. I'm ready give up on this project

If this not the first hose you've blown the end off of then yes your going over their rated pressure somehow or your getting defective hoses. Go to a local hydraulic hose shop and talk to them and see what advise they offer. Myself I'd be looking to install a tee in-line with a pressure gauge so that I could see just how much pressure I was dealing with.

[ToonGuy]

Update: I am running a parallel system. I'm not using any kind of balancing valve because Telflex said it wasn't needed. I use a tie bar between the motors to keep them in sync. I took a look at this again in length and I know this sounds crazy but I think I got 2 bum hoses. Both hoses that blew were on the port motor, different line. They were the same lot number. I have a total of 3 lot numbers, and not that blew started with 14. Also, they blew near the middle...not near a fitting. We pulled the relief valve, averything seems to be functioning (although I had no way to accurately check pressure). I installed a new #16 lot hose, bled everything again, and it seems to be working fine. I must have turned it loc to lock 30 times last night...so far so good. Going out to play with it someone this morning, but now it raining so looks like no water for me today

[ToonGuy]

One more thing...when I blew the first hose I contacted the dealer and he overnighted me a replacement pair. No questions asked. Makes me wonder if I'm not the only one that was having this issue

[tuned]

Yo Ty. Thoughts that I wrote down from my reading (last night). I see that you are ahead of me on some of these.

1. Possible relief valve issue. Actually I am somewhat thinking the valve is not in the PA, but in the helm. Not sure but the valve in the PA might be the 'return' valve. They don't give us very good schematics of internals.
2. Possible tie rod adjustment problem causing one cylinder to bottom out before the other
3. The ‘balancing valve’ that I was referring to is actually called ‘Alignment Valve’ and is only used in Series setups. You are hosed in parallel. It looks as if you have the option of which way to hose it. Perhaps you need to be in series? I don’t have enough knowledge to make that call. From what I just read, one of the primary differences between Series and Parallel is that Series is about HALF the turns lock to lock. There may be other differences tho.
4. A pressure gauge as suggested might be a helpful trouble shooting tool.


I still strongly recommend that you contact Teleflex by phone (604-248-3858 M-F 7-3:30PST). Have all details and part numbers and they will talk you right through it. I had to call them when finalizing my PA and they were fantastic. It actually took a couple of calls and an email diagram but they were very punctual and dead on with their advice. They may know about defective hose lots that the dealer doesn't.
Another trick outlined in your manual is the leak check using your helm (with PA OFF). Turn the helm to the lock and continue to hold pressure in that direction. Not totally sure, but I believe that you are pressuring the system higher than even the PA pump can. Teleflex should know the answer to that as well.

Hope you get out today...I sure as he!! ain't gonna

[ToonGuy]

I just saw your message from last night Todd...sorry I missed it it was a late one. Thanks for all the tips. I am going to call Telflex, just to be sure.

Update on the update: So far so good on the new line. After MUCH more dry testing I fell good about new lot number lines. Good enough I got the boat wet this morning! I'll update the build thread as soon as I get a few free moments...

[curtiscapk]

I just saw your message from last night Todd...sorry I missed it it was a late one. Thanks for all the tips. I am going to call Telflex, just to be sure.

Update on the update: So far so good on the new line. After MUCH more dry testing I fell good about new lot number lines. Good enough I got the boat wet this morning! I'll update the build thread as soon as I get a few free moments...

come on man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need an update Ty!

[ToonGuy]

Sorry to keep you waiting Craig but my internet is down at home and I can only do so much on the iPhone before I get irritated with it.

Check the build thread for updates!