[CA] [CA11] Auto Pilot Type 1 Pump

[tonyiiiafl]

I had an old Ray Auto Pilot on my 1994 Carver 390CPMY. It was replaced with the new EV200 with P70 control head, coupled to the es97 primary and es127 slave. The rudder appears to stall while being directed by the pilot and then ceases to move. Is it possible that my original 26 year old type I pump is weak and ready for replacement? I was thinking of replacing it with a new

Thank you.

Tony

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Tony,

Q. Is it possible that my original 26 year old type I pump is weak and ready for replacement?
A. Given the age of the autopilot hydraulic pump, this is indeed possible. As autopilot actuators wear, the current drawn by the pump will tend to increase and is sufficient enough, will cause the ACU to cease powering the actuator.

[tonyiiiafl]

Thanks Chuck! I will get a replacement and I am sure this will improve the performance. It seems to “pulse” slowly and even when doing a full spin, it seems to pump slowly. I will update in May when we replace it. Lastly, is it hard to bleed the system once the pump is replaced? Or is just cycling hard port to hard starboard enough to bleed?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Tony,

Q. Is it hard to bleed the system once the pump is replaced? Or is just cycling hard port to hard starboard enough to bleed?
A. It is indeed not hard to bleed the hydraulic steering system. Good vessel maintenance would include regular replacement of the fluids and lubricants within the vessel's engine(s), steering, and hydraulic system. When replacing the pump, this would indeed be a good time to replace the fluid within the hydraulic steering system. There are a number of good videos on YouTube addressing how to change out and then bleed the steering system. The Bleeding the system section of Chapter 5. Post-installation check of the Hydraulic Pump Installation Guide calls for following the instruction of the hydraulic helm manufacturer when bleeding the hydraulic steering system and that afterwards follow the additional instructions provided within this section of the Hydraulic Pump Installation Guide.