Tag: Boat Steering

Stiff or Sloppy Mechanical Boat Steering

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Is your boat’s mechanical steering system stiff or sloppy?

As steering cables age, they develop excessive play, stiffness and in some cases they freeze up.

So what does a boater do when their boat’s mechanical steering system needs relief from these signs of age?

Uflex USA offers solutions with both Rotary and Rack & Pinion Steering Kits and replacement cables.

Go2marine recommends the Rotech Rotary System for outboards under 150 HP as well as Inboards and Sterndrives for it’s versatility compact design and positive feel.

What makes the Uflex Rotary Systems different from the competition?

Uflex USA offers a patented helm unit with a planetary gear system consisting of 6 points of contact that results in a smoother more positive feel at the helm.

Weather replacing a Rack & Pinion or a Rotary System the Uflex Rotary System will bolt up in place of your old system without any modification.

What about larger outboard engines and sterndrives?

For larger outboard engines and sterndrive units (without power assist steering), Go2marine recommends the Accura System with the Zero Torque Feedback Helm Units. The Accura System utilizes a spring clutch helm unit that eliminates the continuous load on the steering wheel so you don’t feel feedback torque.

Uflex USA also offers the components you need if you are looking to add, upgrade or convert your Rack & Pinion or Rotary Steering System to a tilt helm.

If you need help identifying your old steering system, finding replacement cables, helm units or measuring for a new Steering System call the specialist at Go2marine (800) 998-9508 or shop online at Go2marine.com.

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Troubleshooting Power Trim and Tilt Motors and Pumps

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tilt trim

Tilt and Trim Motor

Replacing Power Trim and Tilt Systems

When replacing your Power Tilt and Trim Motor, first identify what type of Power Tilt and Trim Motor and Pump you have in your boat. There are two basic types of power Trim and Tilt Systems being used in the recreational Boating industry regardless of weather you have an Outboard or an I/O  Sterndrive.

Some of the older Power Tilt and Trim Systems used an Electric Tilt Motor in combination with a mechanical lifting device. For example, Volvo Penta used a 12-Volt Power Tilt Motor turning a lifting screw on their older Stern Drives. On older OMC Stern Drives, an electric Motor turned a Worm Gear and incorporated a wet clutch pack to Tilt the drive unit as well as lock it into place. The Electric Hydraulic power Trim and Tilt System is more common. This type of system is used on Johnson and Evinrude Outboards, Mercruiser Stern Drives, Mercury Outboards and Volvo Penta Stern Drives. This system consists of two major components; the 12 volt electric Motor with a reservoir, and the Hydraulic Pump or Valve Body.

Trouble Shooting Your Power Trim and Tilt System

When experiencing problems with your power Trim and Tilt System, there are a few easy ways to diagnose just what the problem is. Power Trim Motors generally come in two styles. All use a 12 volt D/C reversing Motor. Some Motors have a two wire connection and some Motors have a three wire connection. All power Trim and Tilt Motors come with one blue wire and one green wire. The three wire power Trim and Tilt Motors have an additional Black wire as well. The Black wire works as a Ground on power Trim and Tilt Motors that don’t ground thru the case. When the blue wire is energized it raises the Motor or drive unit up. When the green wire is energized it lowers the drive unit down.

When having a problem first you need to determine whether your problem is with the power Trim and Tilt Motor or the Hydraulic Pump Valve Body assembly. If you attempt to raise the Motor or sterndrive to the up or down position and nothing happens, first check to make sure your Battery is charged and switched on if your boat is equipped with a Battery switch. If you hear a slight clicking noise you have power coming from the switch to the solenoid. The next step is to go directly to the Motor and test it there. First, disconnect the power Trim and Tilt Motor.

Using a jumper wire, apply 12 volts directly to the blue wire if your engine or drive unit is in the down position. It should raise up at this time. If it is in the up position, apply power to the green wire reversing the Motor and lowering the unit. If the Motor runs, you may have a problem with a solenoid or lack of voltage coming from the power Trim and Tilt switch to the solenoid.

If your power Trim Tilt Motor won’t run after this procedure it is time to replace it. Some replacement Power Trim and Tilt Motors will come with a new wiring harness and relay kit to convert your old three wire power Trim and Tilt Motor to a new more powerful two wire Motor.  (Tilt and Trim cross-reference)

Power Trim and Tilt Pump Problems

Tilt and Trim Pump

If your power Trim and Trim Motor is working fine but the engine or drive unit won’t stay Trimmed or bleeds down when in the up position, you most likely have a problem with the Hydraulic pump or Valve Body assembly. In that case it can be removed and rebuilt by a qualified repair facility. Replace the power Trim and Tilt hydraulic pump unit and fill the reservoir with the correct Power Tilt and Trim Fluid per your owner’s manual. Generally, Transmission fluid is not recommended. It can be hard on some seals due to the high amount of detergents. Most power Trim and Tilt units will purge the air from the system just by running the engine or sterndrive up and down two or three times with the vent plug loose.

Bottom line

If the motor works in one direction there is nothing wrong with the motor. The most common issue is a bad solenoid on a 3-wire motor or a bad relay on 2- wire motor. If the motor runs but won’t raise or lower the drive or outboard engine, check the fluid level first. If the level is full there is a problem with the pump. API Marine makes a direct replacement for many models (in some cases your only option is to have the old pump rebuilt).

Hope this helps you repair your tilt/trim system so you can get out and enjoy your boat. If you need any parts, visit us at Go2marine.com, or call toll free 1-800-998-9508.

Article by: Michael Weller
Go2marine.com
Sales Manager

Engine, Propulsion and Steering Systems Specialist

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Dual Station Engine Controls

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controls

sepOutboard DS UNIT:

The DS unit is designed for those boaters that like using one lever to do both throttle and shift in their dual station boat. The Station Selector allows smooth

operation of dual function controls in a dual station application.

APPLICATION :

The dual function DS unit is great for dual station boats without a lot of room on the dash or if you wanted to use side mounted controls in two stations.

Just put both levers in neutral, turn the selector switch and you have changed stations.

SeaStar Solutions recommends that you only use the 33C cable part number CCX633XX with the DS unit.

FEATURES:

Allows dual function mechanical controls to be used in a dual station boat.

Side mount controls can now be used in dual station boats.

You only require one station selector for both a single engine or dual station boats.

Using the recommended control cables allow smooth control operation.

 

207573 Dual Station Gear Unit 207573 Dual Station gear unit 20757

Single Engine Outboard
Quantity  Part Number Description  Notes
 1  207573 DS Gear Unit  Two Cables in one Cable to Shifter
 1 204993  Station Selector Unit  One Cable from Unit to Gear DS Unit
 1 207572   DS Throttle Unit   Two Cables in one Cable to Throttle
 1 CCX633XX   Cable to go from selector to gear ds unit   xx = cable length in feet
 1 ccx 633xx cable from station 1 to gear ds unit xx = cable lengthgth in feet
 1 ccx 633xx cable from station 2 to gear ds unit xx = cable lengthgth in feet
 1 ccx 633xx cable from gear unit to transmission xx = cable lengthgth in feet
 1 ccx 633xx cable from station 1 to throttle ds unit xx = cable lengthgth in feet
 1 ccx 633xx cable from station 2 to throttle ds unit xx = cable lengthgth in feet
 1 ccx 633xx cable from throttle unit to engine xx = cable lengthgth in feet
1 engine adapter kit for the control cables unless provided by the engine manufacturer
1 dual action control per station = 2 total controls that must use 3300/33c style XTREME control cables ccx633xx

Dual engine outboards
quantity  part number description
2  207573  DS Gear Unit
1 204993   station selector unit
2  207572  DS throttle unit
2 ccx 633xx cable to go from selector to gear ds units
1 ccx 633xx cable from port station 1 to gear ds unit
1 ccx 633xx cable from starboard station 1 to gear ds unit
1 ccx 633xx cable from port station 2 to gear ds unit
1 ccx 633xx cable from starboard station 2 to gear ds unit
2 ccx 633xx cable from gear ds units to transmissions
1 ccx 633xx cable from port station 1 to throttle ds unit
1 ccx 633xx cable from starboard station 1 to throttle ds unit
1 ccx 633xx cable from port station 2 to throttle ds unit
1 ccx 633xx cable from starboard station 2 to throttle ds unit
2 ccx 633xx cable from throttle ds unitS to engines
2 engine adapter kit for the control cables unless provided by the engine manufacturer
1 dual action twin lever control per station = 2 total controls that must use 3300/33c style control cables ccx633xx
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