Whether It Is Difficult To Install The Hydraulic Steering Gear Of A Fishing Boat Is Very Important To The Master.

You may be thinking that when a fishing boat runs on the sea, its direction is entirely controlled by a hydraulic steering gear. Isn’t it particularly complicated to install this thing? Indeed, the hydraulic steering gear is not as simple as installing a light bulb at home, it is related to the safety of the entire boat. But it is not necessarily true that the technical requirements are so high that only experts can touch it. The key is to understand the method, find the right people and use the right methods, and this matter can be done smoothly.

Why is the installation not just a matter of connecting a few pipes?

Many people think that a hydraulic steering gear just connects the pump station and the oil cylinder with a pipe, and then turns on the electricity. In fact, this idea is quite dangerous. The biggest fear of the hydraulic system is that dirt will get in. A tiny iron filing can cause the entire system to be scrapped. If the environment is not clean during installation, or the joints are not handled properly, problems such as oil leakage and stuck valves will come to your door later.

You may have heard the saying “30% equipment, 70% installation.” For hydraulic steering gear, it is really no exaggeration. The cleanliness during installation, the direction of the pipelines, and the tightening strength of the joints, these details directly determine how long theservocan be used, and whether it will "drop the chain" halfway. Once the installation is not in place and the rudder suddenly fails to work when the boat is driven out to sea, it is no joke.

Which installation standards are hard to follow?

Our fishing boats are on the cusp of the storm, so the installation of the steering gear must meet the requirements of ship inspection. This is like an annual car inspection, with a set of mandatory rules. For example, the base of the steering gear must be welded firmly and rust-proofed; the pipelines must be made of seamless steel pipes and cannot be replaced by ordinary water pipes; there are clear standards for the specifications and pressure resistance levels of seals.

These standards are not used to embarrass people, but are the bottom line of safety gained through countless experiences. Before you install it, it is best to check with the ship inspection department to confirm the latest specifications. Especially for modified fishing boats, the original space may not be regular, and pipeline routing needs to be designed according to standards. Don't try to save trouble. The process you save today may cause trouble in the shipyard tomorrow.

What’s the point of piping direction and fixation?

Hydraulic pipelines are like human blood vessels. They must run smoothly but not wander around. When installing, the pipes should have as few elbows as possible and the bending radius should be large enough so that there is no resistance to the flow of oil and little vibration. The distance between the pipe clamps that fix the pipes should not be too large. One meter or so is required, and rubber pads must be added to absorb vibrations in areas with large vibrations.

What many installers tend to overlook is that the pipes cannot directly touch the hull structure. Over time, the vibration of the hull will wear through the pipe wall, causing hydraulic oil to leak. This not only wastes fuel, but the key is that theservowill suddenly lose power. Therefore, where the pipeline passes through the bulkhead or passes through the ribs, it must be separated by sheaths or partitions. This detail is very important.

How to cooperate with electrical wiring and hydraulic pressure

To work, the hydraulic steering gear must rely on electricity for command. The electrical part here is not as simple as just connecting a power supply. It involves the control box, the steering wheel on the bridge, and various pressure sensors and limit switches. When wiring, you must strictly follow the circuit diagram, especially the ground wire and shielding layer. If the connection is not good, interference will occur, causing theservoto move randomly or respond slowly.

Another thing that can cause problems is the power capacity. The batteries or generators of some fishing boats do not have enough power. As soon as the steering gear is started, the voltage drops, causing the system to work unstable. Therefore, it is best to calculate the total power before installation to ensure that the power supply system can handle it. In addition, all terminals must use special cold-pressed terminals and be covered with heat-shrinkable tubes. The sea is humid and salty, and the corrosion protection is not good. The joints will soon oxidize and fail.

Don’t skimp on debugging and sea trials

Once the pipes are connected and the wires are connected, can we drive away directly? Don't rush yet. After the hydraulic system is installed, the most important steps are "pipe cleaning" and "exhaust". Pipe washing uses a special flushing device to clean out any impurities that may be present in the pipes. Exhaust is to remove the air from the cylinder and pipeline, otherwise the servo response will be soft, like stepping on cotton.

After everything is done, a real ship trial must be carried out. First turn the rudder on the spot and check whether the left and right angles and limits are accurate. Then the boat was driven out to test the steering sensitivity and turning performance at low speed and high speed respectively. Only after this practical operation test can we say that the installation work is truly completed. If anything is wrong during the sea trial, such as abnormal noise, deviation, or slow response, you must go back and re-examine it to avoid any hidden dangers.

How to judge whether the master you are looking for is reliable?

Here are some tips to help you identify reliable installers. First, see if he has experience in installing hydraulic systems on fishing boats. Those who have worked on cargo ships may not necessarily understand fishing boats. Fishing boats have small spaces and more complex working conditions. Only those who specialize in this industry know the ropes better. Second, see if he pays attention to cleanliness when working. A good master's tools are all clean, and the disassembled pipe openings will be sealed with tape to prevent dirt from entering.

See if he is willing to explain it to you. If the master tells you where problems are likely to occur and how to maintain it on a daily basis while working, it means that he is both professional and responsible. On the other hand, you have to pay more attention to the kind of person who pats his chest and says "No problem, I have installed it on hundreds of units" but is careless about the details. When it comes to installing the steering gear, slow work yields fine work, while rushing can easily lead to hidden dangers.

Have you ever encountered any headaches when installing hydraulic steering gear on your fishing boat? Or are you particularly unsure about which installation link? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area, and let’s discuss it together to make sailing at sea more secure. If you find this article useful, please give it a like and share it with more shipmates.