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Can A Tiller Outboard Be Converted To Steering? A tiller outboard is an engine mounted in the boat that protrudes through a transom hole. The tiller, which comes from the rudder of a ship, controls the outboard's gears. Most tiller outboards are mounted on brackets near the boat's stern instead of through holes in the transom. Tiller outboards are more compact and lower profile than conventional ones, making them more practical for certain boats with limited space inside the engine compartment. Yes! The tiller outboard conversion kit is easy to install and use. The instructions are laid clearly so that anyone can do the installation without a headache. First, remove your old handle from the boat's steering column. After you've done this, it's time to attach the new spindle adapter collar and spacer bushing onto your column. Now, you can get to the actual installation of the tiller handle. Attach the two mounting plate bolts to their corresponding holes on the back of your new tiller handle. Once you've done this, it's time for some finishing touches. Attach your linkage from your handle to your actual steering shaft (usually by a strong bolt or pin), and then attach your spacer bushing onto the end of your steering shaft. To put it all together, attach the spoodles onto your tiller handle, then fit them onto your steering shaft. Finally, you're ready to go as long as everything is properly aligned and correctly assembled. The tiller outboard conversion kit is not only easy to install but also has a reduction in steering force that can make the process even easier. Now you have the freedom to steer your boat manually without having to use a conventional steering wheel. Can You Convert A Tiller Motor To A Remote? Yes! Converting from tiller to remote will require a lot of extras: Steering control cable, wheel and helm assembly, ram, throttle quadrant and cables, hydraulic lines and control valve, hydraulic pump, battery pack, and mounting bracket, wire connectors, and a dashboard. A standard battery is about 40 lbs, typically run in parallel or series, and it's recommended that you have monitoring and charging capabilities. It's hard to make the steering cables fit under the engine. Hack saws, Dremel tools, grinders, sandpaper, files, and drills can all be used to get the cables to fit appropriately. The ram is not a tricky part of the conversion, but it does require the hardest route and some grinding. I always expect that 5/6 hours of my work turns into 15/20. The wheel and helm assembly will be similar. You want to simultaneously get the cable hooked up to the helm, throttle, and rudder. If you do this slowly and methodically, there is less chance of screwing something up. Ensure your control lines are as short as possible, so you have a maximum range of motion when sitting in the seat or standing behind the boat. The hydraulic lines and valve can be placed on a bracket that connects the motor to the brackets for the motor box and seat. You can mount the motor with bolts and nuts. You may want to use some hose clamps or zip ties to hold it in place. The dash configuration is up to you. You can get a GPS, compass, fishfinder, lights, and more if you have the room and budget. How Do I Convert My Boat To Hydraulic Steering? First, you must install a hydraulic steering system on your boat. These are available at any good marine store and can typically be installed by an owner. The system should be attached to a valve allowing you to turn the system on and off. Next, you will need a cable connecting your system's gearbox to a pinion gear at either the bow or stern. This cable needs to have a clutch so that when it's not in use, it does not continue turning. This clutch can be a small spring between the cable and the gearbox. After fitting your hydraulic steering system to the boat, you will find that the system is not entirely suited to your needs. A steering cable is only effective when attached to a revolving pinion gear. For this carousel to work correctly, it must have some friction material between it and the shaft. If you wish to continue using your current steering linkage, you will need some clutch on your linkage. This is a straightforward system, as long as you have the proper cable and a reasonable amount of spring. There are many ways you can put this clutch on your linkage. You can use flexible material to connect the cable and shaft. This most likely would be rubber or some sponge, also by using a series of springs between the cable and shaft, much like a bicycle's brake lever. This will allow you to make an infinitely variable pulley system. You can have one spring that attaches to the shaft and another that connects to the cable, or you could use two springs with one attached to each end. How Do You Put A Tiller Handle On An Outboard Motor? First, clean the area that will receive the new handle. I use a wire brush to clean off any rust or buildup that may be present. You will also need to remove the screws that hold down the plate covering where you will place the handle. You will also need to ensure you have purchased the correct handle size for your motor and that you have some way of fastening it into place. I used some screws with nuts and washers with good hold strength, but not too much, so I can take the handle off my motor when needed. If you have doubts about the correct fastening method, you should consult a professional on how to do this. Now that you know your handle and what it will look like once it's installed, let's get down to business. The first thing I do is start to clean off the area where I will install the handle. You may also have some screws that need removing from the old handle that is still in place and covering your new area. Either way, you will need to get them all removed. Once this is accomplished, I use a grinding stone to remove the rust and build up from under the area where I will install the handle. Can You Convert The Mercury Tiller To Remote? Yes! You can indeed convert your mercury tiller to remote. The process isn't too difficult, though it will require time, effort, and patience. An easier solution is to consider a motorized tiller. They tend to be more expensive initially but will save you time in the long run. The first step is to buy a remote tiller attachment kit for your existing tiller. A few product lines are available, but the basic design varies little. They consist of a tiller and remote. The tiller will have a two-position throttle lever, and the remote unit will have two switches: one for the throttle lever and another to activate the motor. The next step is to disassemble your existing tiller to be correctly reassembled in the new location. Once this is done, it's time to reattach the throttle lever to the remote unit (this will be in two pieces, so you'll need to reassemble it). Generally speaking, the throttle should face upwards and be about 1/4 of an inch above the tiller. The next step is hard-wiring the remote unit to your tiller. This will require some electrical knowledge, so please consult your local service mechanic before attempting it yourself. You'll need to wire the throttle lever to get power when the tiller is on and turn it off when it's off or stopped. You'll also need to wire one side of the tiller switch to the ground and the other side into one of your tiller's two terminals. Is It Worth Upgrading To Hydraulic Steering On A Boat? Yes! By upgrading to a hydraulic steering system on your boat, you will have more precise control of the rudder and be able to avoid over-correction. -Hydraulic steering systems are easier to maintain than mechanical systems. -Hydraulic steering is much safer for boaters who cannot use their entire upper body or have temporary disabilities from an injury or illness. -Cruise boats typically use hydraulic steering because you can operate them at the helm without getting out of a secured position. -Hydraulic steering is beneficial on smaller boats where bringing up the engine and steering wheel to use mechanical steering is tricky. -With a hydraulic steering system, a boat owner can remove the entire steering assembly and replace it with an after-market remote steering system within minutes. -A new hydraulic steering system will cost between $1000 and $2000, depending on accessories. -The cost of replacing. Mechanical steering systems will not function properly if the boat has been damaged in a storm. -Mechanical steering components are subjected to friction and wear over time. These issues often result in a boat's steering systems being altered or failing altogether. -Since large cruise ships are designed to have hydraulic steering systems installed at a factory level, they are very reliable. How Does Hydraulic Outboard Steering Work? Hydraulic outboard steers work by turning a servo motor mounted on the rear of the outboard's propeller head. The computer controls servo motor is controlled by a computer that sends electric signals to its metal arm. As it spins, these electrical signals push the metal arm up and down in an inverted 'U' shape, which pushes each of the three blades up or down at varying angles to change the propeller's pitch. This allows for quick maneuvers and smooth turns while traveling at high speeds. Hydraulic systems have two large-diameter, hollow tubes that carry hydraulic fluid from a pump on the engine to a hydraulic motor and back. The large diameter of the tubes allows them to have much more fluid than their smaller counterparts. The force from the liquid is then transmitted to a smaller diameter tube, which takes it to the mechanism or actuation point that does something with it. The fluid uses pressure to do this; therefore, the larger diameter tubes are needed because there's more surface area for the pressure to be transmitted. In a hydraulic system, the actuation point is located between the two large-diameter tubes. As the fluid leaves one of these large-diameter tubes, it flows smoothly through connecting tubing and into a secondary tube. This secondary tube is smaller and takes it from the primary tube to the actuation point. As the fluid flows through this secondary tube, it acts like a lever and pushes the actuation point up, which moves a piston down. As this happens, pressurized fluid travels from the second tube into a third large-diameter tube that takes it to the pump on the engine. Why Is My Boat Steering So Hard? Your boat is steering hard because it does not have enough grease on the rudder. Grease can help your boat navigate easier, using less effort and power while being more fuel efficient. When you notice a boat is steering harder than usual, it's time to change the grease. And when you use your bicycle, your ride quality will improve with higher quality grease. The rudder is the last, smallest, and least powerful of your boat's controls. Rudder servo pumps commonly cause stiff steering because they can Overspeed or run continuously in the throttle position instead of turning at the right speed and power. Servo pumps use electricity to force oil up the shaft. Grease is what slows this up-and-down motion down, so it turns your rudder instead of spinning faster and faster. It's not enough to use lubricant in the rudder (see below), but it is necessary for good steering. Wear and tear on the rudder as it ages can prevent grease from working as well as it should. To check, remove the rudder from the boat and clean it thoroughly with a soft paper towel. Apply marine epoxy or equivalent to any loose surfaces atop the rudder and redo your lubrication. If your boat is underway, and you try to turn to give it some power, but the rudder keeps spinning, the problem isn't your grease. Start with the rudder. How Do You Install A Rotary Steering System? Installing a new rotary steering system can be challenging because it's difficult to find the right parts that fit correctly, but with the correct information, you can get it done quickly. Here's how you start 1) Before you start, ensure the boat is on a firm, level surface and you're ready to work. The boat on a ramp or trailer makes a big difference when working with the steering system. 2) You should drain your cooling system as much as possible after hosing out all of your hoses and lines. Even if it looks full of liquid, it's better to take off that extra weight than to have trouble in the future. This includes engine coolant and water. 3) On engines with a remote oil filter, drain that oil out because it's easier to get it out now than later. 4) After you've drained all the liquids, remove your propeller and put it aside. Next, remove the cowlings on your engine and expose all the lines in and out of your boat. This is important so you can see what you're working with before disassembling any components on your boat. 5) Start working on your motor first. You can start by removing the water pump and the timing belt. Once those are off, you can remove the upper shrouds from your engine and the exhaust manifold. 6) Once the manifold is off, you can remove the exhaust tips and then start working on removing your flywheel from your engine. This will be a little tricky because it's heavy and made of solid metal, but keeping an eye on the instructions you used to put it back together will help you take it apart without any problems. 7) Now that your flywheel is off, take out your old steering cylinder and replace it with your new cylinder. 8) Once the new cylinder is on, you'll need to install the lower middle shaft and tie all your motor components back into the engine. Make sure to put everything back in correctly, so you don't mess them up when doing a test run later. 9) Now that all of your motor components are installed, start work on installing your new steering system into your boat. It's easiest to work with a friend because it makes it easier to have someone hold up parts while you line everything back up correctly. 10) After everything is put back together, connect everything back up to the engine and be sure to install everything correctly. You may even want to test drive the boat before putting it away to ensure everything is working, but you may have to take it out again if there's a problem. 11) Once you're satisfied with how the steering system will work, you can reinstall all your hoses and lines. 12) Your last step is reinstalling the cowlings and accessories. 13) Now that your boat is back together, check for leaks and make sure everything is secure. Now that you've installed your new steering system, you'll be able to turn it quickly with a flick of a finger, making it easy to drive your boat wherever you want. Are Boat Steering Controls Universal? Yes! Boat steering controls are universal, meaning they are the same on boats from all over the world. The design of boat steering controls is universal and common to all motorboats and ships. Boat steering controls can be found anywhere in the world and operate in the same manner regardless of where you go. The last significant difference between boat steering controls in different countries is that each country has its connection for electricity. The wiring of boat steering controls is the same no matter where you go, but their electrical connection to the boat's electrical system may differ. All countries have universal electric connections. Fuses are three ways to connect wires to release power from the battery. All three use a 12-volt battery as the electrical source. Countries use different voltages (12, 16, 19), but those differences do not affect electric wiring. If you have a 12-volt battery in your boat and a 12-volt marine battery charger, you can connect the two in any country and charge the battery using the correct voltage. The three electric connections are: 1) Alternators 2) Batteries 3) Breakers or Fuses. You can use any of these connections to install a switch to control specific lights or equipment. A switch allows you to turn off or on certain lights or equipment. You may also want to install a rocker switch (a type of switch that does not use a knob). Is Hydraulic Steering Fluid The Same As Power Steering Fluid? Here is a list of the essential differences between hydraulic and power steering fluids: • Power steering uses glycols in its formula, which is incompatible with antifreeze - that's why it doesn't require any protection. Antifreeze can be dangerous for people and animals, especially those sensitive to carbon monoxide. • Power steering fluid comes in different forms - it's available in dilute form, or it's available in concentrated form. In the diluted state, you can safely use power steering for power steering and steering efforts. If you see that using a concentrated power steering fluid is recommended, then you know this is its concentrated version. • The main component of hydraulic fluid is water, which makes it more rigid compared to the one used for power steering. Power steering fluid contains glycols, which are responsible for sealing the fluid. Glycols allow for lower temperatures and a reduction in power steering effort. That's why hydraulic and power steering fluids have entirely different operating temperatures - hydraulic fluid can operate at very high temperatures, while power steering fluid can only handle cold conditions. • In some applications, you may need to use a dedicated type of hydraulic or power steering fluid. For example, if you need to use a highly concentrated type of fluid, then you can use only that fluid. Other application-specific fluids include other components, such as antifreeze, corrosion inhibitors, and more. • There are different power steering systems - some come with an integrated pump, and others don't. You may need to use the corresponding type of power steering fluid for those applications. • The lubricant used for both fluids is different; the one used for power steering fluid is based on mineral oil, while the one for hydraulics is based on synthetic fluid. You should use the type of fluid your automaker recommends ensuring optimal performance. Can Engine Oil Be Used For Power Steering? No!It's not ideal to use engine oil for power steering. There are many risks to using engine oil as a supplement for power steering fluid, one of the most prominent being that you will always have leftover residue left in your power steering lines. If the engine oil is not mixed with regular lubricant, it's more difficult for the power steering system to flow smoothly and it may become clogged over time. The problem with the residue is that it will cause corrosion on the engine, which may cause damage to the engine over time. This can result in lengthy and expensive repairs. To be safe and still get the full benefits of power steering, I recommend using only the power steering fluid in your boat as a regular lubricant. The fluid is already formulated for your power steering system, so it won't harm other systems on the boat. It will help your power steering system perform better, keeping your boat running smoothly. Doing so may be more expensive, but it is a little more economical in the long run because you don't have to buy any additional engine oil. The amount of oil you use will vary by driving style and the level of power steering fluid you use. However, if you are on a very tight budget, I would recommend trying to replace just one bottle of oil every two months. This will save money in the long run and not have to buy anything extra for your engine. Can I Use DOT 4 For Power Steering? No!The only time power steering will be stiff is if the engine (powers the pump) is off, or there is a mechanical issue such as low/no fluid, no belt, lousy pump, blocked lines, etc. Minimizing your chance of losing power steering fluid is the first step. No leaks, no worries! Top off the power steering fluid periodically while avoiding scenarios where the engine powers the pump. If the issue persists, it is time to call a professional, but power steering should be fine if you maintain your boat regularly! Power steering fluid goes from green to brown due to oxidation and moisture over time but can turn black with dark/black residue if there is a leak or too much air. Power steering fluid that is brown/black should be replaced! The brown/black colour indicates air and oxidation; it has lost its lubricity and is actively harming your power steering pump. The power steering system will still function if there is a leak, but you should take care of the leak first. Replacing power steering fluid regularly (treat power steering like oil change intervals) always helps the health of your boat and the life of its components. Minimizing your chance of losing power steering fluid is the first step. Top off the power steering fluid periodically while avoiding scenarios where the engine powers the pump. If the issue persists, it is time to call a professional, but power steering should be fine if you maintain your boat regularly. Can You Use DOT 4 Brake Fluid Clutch? Yes! DOT 4 brake fluid is compatible with most vehicles that use DOT 3 or DOT 5 fluids. DOT stands for "Department of Transportation" and is the standard in the United States for labelling brake fluid. Most new cars use DOT 3, and certain older ones use DOT 5, but most are now switching to DOT 4. DOT 4 fluid is less viscous and more stable than DOT 3 fluid. The main reason it's used over DOT 3 is that DOT 4 will not corrode the seals in your brake booster and master cylinder, while DOT 3 will. This can lead to leakage of the brake fluid, which can lead to leaks from your wheel cylinders, leading to more expensive repairs. The higher viscosity of DOT 3 fluid can also cause a problem with certain vehicles, where the fluid doesn't flow as easily. This can worsen if you are in an emergency and must stop as fast as possible, like in an accident. DOT 4 fluids are also less toxic than DOT 3 fluids. DOT 4 brake fluid is compatible with most vehicles that use DOT 3 or 5 fluids. It is most commonly used in Audi, VW vehicles, and other European makes. These manufacturers prefer DOT 4 over DOT 3 because it flows better and will not corrode seals or lines. On the other hand, some manufacturers require the use of DOT 5 fluid because the brake booster and master cylinder seals are made to withstand it. Honda is one of these manufacturers, but it also requires DOT 4 fluid because of its increased moisture absorption over DOT 5. Conclusion A steering system can be a big part of your driving. Gear oil and steering gearbox are the heart of the power steering system. Keeping them in good condition can ensure the quality and long life of the entire system. An essential element is to use strictly suitable lubricant for these parts. Thus, using only high-quality gear oil or ATF in your car is advisable.

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