Why two power steering pumps ?

[erie_guy]

My current boat is a 1996 Chris Craft 32 Crowne with twin Volvo Penta SX stern drives. The engines are 5.7 liter GIs with throttle plate injection. The boat and engines have no issues, and work great - but I question why both engines have a power steering pump, complete with hydraulic fluid and hoses.

When I fish I sometime operate the boat with a single engine (for slower trolling), only the Starboard engine provides power steering. And when operating the Port engine alone, there is no power steering and it is a muscle job to control steering. My wife, who often drives while I fish, hates this and starts the Starboard engine and turns off the Port one. This makes it difficult to maintain identical engine hours on the engines.

Is there a good reason for this operating strategy ? And can it be changed so either engine will provide power steering ?

Thanks for helping me have a better understanding this otherwise great boat.

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[Bondo]

Re: Why two power steering pumps ?

And can it be changed so either engine will provide power steering ?

Ayuh,... Only if each powers it's own P/S actuator...
They can't be married, but could conceivably be plumbed divorced...

How are the transom assemblies set up,..??

 

[achris]

Re: Why two power steering pumps ?

Ayuh,... Only if each powers it's own P/S actuator...
They can't be married, but could conceivably be plumbed divorced...

How are the transom assemblies set up,..??

Not sure about the VP setup, but Merc do it with a steering pump on each engine feeding to a 'priority valve'. That way you still have power assisted steering if an engine is shutdown, and it doesn't matter which engine....

Chris.......

 

[erie_guy]

Re: Why two power steering pumps ?

The engines and hydraulics seem to be completely independent. Sound like the Merc has a better system with the 'priority valve' I will have to check with my Merc buddies to see if they have the same issue with shutting down the Port engine.

Thanks for your insights.

erie_guy

 

[RumHeads]

Re: Why two power steering pumps ?

erie_guy, I have the same problem and it is very frustrating. I ma investigating the use of a pivot valve because last Saturday i had problems with the starboard engine and returning to dock was a pain, to put it mildly. I will let you know what I come up with.
Happy New Year,
Rumheads

 

[Don S]

Re: Why two power steering pumps ?

Welcome to iboats Rumheads, best thing you could do is start your own thead and onfo on your setup.