vetus OBC115A Hydraulic Steering Cylinder Outboard Engines Instruction Manual

: June 9, 2024
: vetus

Table of Contents

vetus OBC115A Hydraulic Steering Cylinder Outboard Engines
Safety
Introduction
Installation
Troubleshooting
Technical specifications
Principal dimensions
Connection diagrams
References
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vetus OBC115A Hydraulic Steering Cylinder Outboard Engines

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Safety

Warning indications
The following warning indications are used in this manual in the con-text of safety:

DANGER
Indicates that great potential danger exists that can lead to serious injury or death.

WARNING
Indicates that a potential danger that can lead to injury exists.

CAUTION
Indicates that the usage procedures, actions etc. concerned can result in serious damage to or destruction of the engine. Some CAUTION indications also advise that a potential danger exists that can lead to serious injury or death.

NOTE
Emphasizes important procedures, circumstances etc.

Symbols

✅Indicates that the relevant procedure must be carried out. Indicates that a particular action is forbidden.

❌Share these safety instructions with all users.

General rules and laws concerning safety and accident prevention must always be observed.

Introduction

This manual provides guidelines for the installation of the OBC115A, OBC175A and OBC250A hydraulic steering cylinder for outboard engines.

A hydraulic steering system for outboard engines consists of the following basic components:

Steering cylinder
Steering pump
Hoses
Steering wheel

NOTE
Please consult the installation manuals for all components before using the system.

The quality of installation is decisive for the reliability of the system. Almost all faults that occur after installation are due to errors or inaccuracies during installation. It is therefore of utmost importance that the installation instructions are followed and checked thoroughly.

WARNING
Unauthorized modifications exclude the factory’s liability for any resulting damage.

Installation

Prevent dirt, welding or paint splashes from damaging the steering system components. Damage can destroy the oil seals, resulting in oil leakage.

Splash well
Please keep the following minimum dimensions for the splash well.

Number of engines	A	B	C
1	559 mm (22″)	152 mm (6″)	152 mm (6″)
2	1118 mm (44″)

NOTE
The outboard engine and steering cylinder must be able to move freely. Check this carefully.

If two engines are installed, place both engines at least 660 mm (26″) from the middle of the transom.
If a jack plate is installed the above dimensions are not valid. Please consult the instructions of the jack plate supplier.

Steering cylinder
Install the OBC115A, OBC175A or OBC250A as follows:

Remove the nyloc nuts (11 and 12) and washers (10) from both sides of the centering rod (3) and piston rod (1).
Dismantle the cylinder by removing support brackets (4), Delrin ring small (7), Delrin spacer large (6), spacer (8) and ring (10).
Apply Marine Grade grease to the centering rod (3) and insert it into the tilt tube of the engine.
Position the engine perpendicular to the transom. Use the assembly parts (5) to connect the tiller plate (2) to the motor arm (13).
- OBC115A: Tighten the nyloc nut (5A) of the hex bolt with a tightening torque of 20 Nm (14.75 lb ft).
- OBC175A and OBC250A: Tighten the nyloc nut (5A) to 40 Nm (29.5 lb ft).
Remove the piston rod protector before installing the support bracket (4).
Install spacer (8), Delrin spacer large (6), Delrin washer small (7) and washer (10). Choose the correct number of washers for the tilt tube rod. At this stage, ensure that the cylinder body is centered on the piston rod (1) and that the engine is perpendicular to the transom.
Fit the right and left support brackets (4) and connect the piston rod (1) and centering rod (3).
Place the washers (10) and nyloc nuts (11 & 12) on the ends of the centering rod (3) and the piston rod (1). Grease the threads of the nyloc nut with anti-seize grease. First tighten the nuts on the center rod and then the nuts on the piston rod. Use a tightening torque of 70 Nm (52 lb).
Adjust the clearance on the centering rod by tightening the distance bushings (8) until the clearance is eliminated and firmly tighten grub screw (8A).
Check that the installation has been carried out correctly by moving the engine by hand to starboard and port. The movement must be as symmetrical as possible, so that the steering angle is the same on both sides.

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Hose connections
Hydraulic hoses and the way they are installed are of crucial importance for the safe operation of the steering system. VETUS only recommends the use of HHOSE or equivalent hoses.

The individual components of the hydraulic steering system are to be connected using nylon hose HHOSE8 (8 mm inside, 12 mm outside) in combination with hose fitting HS1031 or HS1037. To reduce hose resistance, always keep connecting hoses as short as possible.

In connection with venting the system it is recommended to install the horizontal pipes/hoses with a slope of about 3 cm per metre, the pump side higher than the cylinder side.

Make sure that the cylinder is centered on the engine.
Install the hoses in such a way that the risk of external damage or deterioration due to chemicals and high temperatures is low.
Protect the hoses, which have to pass through a bulkhead with bulkhead grommets or use bulkhead couplings.
Bends must be absolutely free from kinks; a kink in the hose re-duces the free passage of the hydraulic oil.
After installation, blow through the lines with nitrogen or (com-pressed) air (never water!) to check for and remove any blockages.
The minimum bending radius of the nylon hose is 90 mm.
Always attach the pipe with brackets; bracket distance about 60 cm.

Shortening of the hose must ONLY be done by cutting.

Mounting the nylon hose in the fitting

Step 1: After cutting, screw the hose coupling sleeve onto the hose (left-hand thread); stop approx. 1.5 mm before the breech.
Step 2: Oil the hose coupling and screw it into the sleeve. Make sure that the inner hose jacket does not rotate or get compressed when screwing in.

Filling and bleeding
Steering with one steering pump
Filling of the hydraulic system must take place at the highest point of the system.

NOTE
In order to prevent the oil from absorbing air, the filling of the steering pump or the expansion tank should be done gently.

Remove the filler cap from the (upper) steering pump or the oil expansion tank.
If necessary, fit a hose nozzle (G 3/8) with a funnel to the filling connection.
Fill the steering pump or the oil expansion tank with hydraulic oil.

In the case of dual controls, temporarily remove the filler cap from the lower steering pump and reinstall it as soon as oil comes out of the filler neck.

Remove the protective caps from the bleeding nipples and temporarily replace them with a piece of hose with a diameter of 8 mm. The bleeding nipple can be opened by turning it one turn anti-clockwise.

NOTE
Collect the oil that flows out of the steering pump(s) and bleeding nipples during filling and venting.

Turn the steering wheel slowly to starboard so that the oil can flow out of the hoses. Unscrew the venting nipple on the port side and let the air and oil (bubbles) come out.
Keep turning the steering wheel to starboard. When the oil comes out of the air vent without bubbles, carefully close the air vent. Do not tighten the air vent too much. Continue to turn the steering wheel in the same direction to fill the cylinder chamber. During this phase, the cylinder chamber will move in the opposite direction until it reaches the end stop.

vetus-OBC115A Hydraulic-Steering-Cylinder-Outboard-
engines-04 In the same way, turn the steering wheel slowly to port so that the oil can flow out of the hoses. Unscrew the air vent on the star-board side and let the air and oil (bubbles) come out.
Keep turning the steering wheel to port. When the oil comes out of the air vent without any bubbles, carefully close the air vent. Do not tighten the air vent too much. Continue to turn the steering wheel in the same direction to fill the cylinder chamber. During this phase, the cylinder chamber moves in the opposite direction until the end stop.

Remove the breather hoses, install the oil filler plug of the steering pump and the protective caps on the breather nipples after completion of the bleeding process.

NOTE
During the first few days after filling, the oil level should be checked several times and oil should be topped up if necessary. The oil level can still drop at first because air escapes from the oil. Air in the steering pump can be recognized by a knocking sound when turning the steering wheel.

Steering with 2 steering pumps
Fill and bleed as described under “Steering with 1 steering pump”. Always bleed the lower steering pump first and then the upper steering pump.

Testing for air entrainment

Move the engine to the middle position.
Push the engine back and forth with your hand. While moving the engine, observe the movement of the cylinder.

If the cylinder moves more than 10 mm (0.4″), this means there is still air in the system. Repeat the bleeding procedure until the cylinder moves less than 10 mm.

Troubleshooting

Fault	Cause	Solution
During jammed.	filling,	the
system.	Remove all control lines. Blow air through the lines. If the air

through the line is blocked, the steering line must be replaced.
The system is very difficult to fill, air keeps coming out of the top of the steering pump even when the system seems full.|