Backup hydraulic autopilot pump thoughts?

[Beausoleil]

Beausoleil has a now 8 year old Raymarine S3G autopilot with a Type 3 hydraulic pump that's worked great. I still have the original Cetrek pump which came with the boat. I've been thinking about plumbing it in parallel with the working pump using 3-way valves and a heavy-duty DPDT switch.

Is this a good idea, or should I just keep the Cetrek for a rainy day?

Sent from my XT1060 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[deblen]

Originally Posted by Beausoleil

Beausoleil has a now 8 year old Raymarine S3G autopilot with a Type 3 hydraulic pump that's worked great. I still have the original Cetrek pump which came with the boat. I've been thinking about plumbing it in parallel with the working pump using 3-way valves and a heavy-duty DPDT switch.

Is this a good idea, or should I just keep the Cetrek for a rainy day?

Sent from my XT1060 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Your idea will work fine AFAIK.
You say the old Cetrek pump was previously used on your current ram?
Check that the Cetrek pump hard over time is within the requirements of the Ray pilot-normally 10-15sec.most pilots.
In most cases,pumps don't care what brand of a/p electronics drive them & a/p elec. don't care what brand of pump they drive(as long as HO time is within range)
It is good practice to have isolating valves in your pump lines anyway-you will appreciate them first time you have to service/replace the pump.
I have learned from 30 yrs experience with autopilots

[Beausoleil]

Originally Posted by deblen

Your idea will work fine AFAIK.
You say the old Cetrek pump was previously used on your current ram?
Check that the Cetrek pump hard over time is within the requirements of the Ray pilot-normally 10-15sec.most pilots.
In most cases,pumps don't care what brand of a/p electronics drive them & a/p elec. don't care what brand of pump they drive(as long as HO time is within range)
It is good practice to have isolating valves in your pump lines anyway-you will appreciate them first time you have to service/replace the pump.
I have learned from 30 yrs experience with autopilots

Yes - I kept the old steering rams (2) in place after rebuilding them. I replaced the 25-year old copper tubing with hydraulic hose at the time also.

Good idea - I just might install some isolating valves at the helm pump in the cockpit, and the rams as well!