B&G RAM T3 User Manual - User Manual

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ENGLISH

RAM T3

Marine Hydraulic Steering System

User Manual

bandg.com

simrad-yachting.com

The information in this manual was, to the best of our knowledge,
correct when it went to press and Simrad or B&G cannot be liable for
any inaccuracies or omissions. There may also be differences
between the specifications in the manual and the product as a result
of ongoing development for which we accept no liability.

This precision engineered product was designed and manufactured in

the United Kingdom.

Please keep this manual in a safe place

CONTENTS



Important Safety Information



Compliance Statement



Description

Location



System Contents



Maintenance & Service



Emergency Quick Release



Emergency Steering - Primary Steering Failure



Technical Data



Rudder Feedback Unit (Optional)



Reservoir Preparation



Reservoir Installation



Cylinder Installation



Quadrant



Dimensions for Cylinder Mounting Foot



Tiller Bolt



Mounting Foot



Coil Connections



Refilling and Bleeding



Hydraulic Fluid



Commissioning



Fault Finding



General Information



Contact Details



Environmental

Page 4

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Failure to install and maintain this equipment in accordance with the
instructions contained in this Manual could result in damage or injury.
This equipment must be installed and maintained by a person who is
qualified to do so. This equipment is only for use with marine autopilots
within the limitations stated in the following pages. Autopilot steering
systems are navigational aids and the user must still maintain a perma-
nent watch.

This equipment meets the latest EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility)
standards required for use in the marine environment.
In order to ensure conformance and to prevent interference with
electronic systems the unit must be properly bonded to earth and the
supply cables screened.

Caution!

In operation this unit can rotate the vessels wheel rapidly.
Keep clear of the wheel when this unit is engaged to avoid entrapment.

Beware of hot motor and solenoid components and the risk of
entrapment from moving parts.

Do not flash test.

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

The RAM T3 complies with CE under directive 2014/30/EU. The rele-
vant Declaration of Conformity is available in the following websites un-
der model documentation section:
www.simrad-yachting.com or www.bandg.com



Complies with the requirements of level 2 devices of the Radio
communications (Electromagnetic Compatibility) standard 2017.

Warning!

The user is cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.

DESCRIPTION

RAM T3 Hydraulic Steering Systems combine a hydraulic cylinder with
clutch, reversing pump and reservoir in a compact installation.

A solenoid clutch is engaged to extend or retract the rod. The cylinder
and its mounting are protected by integral relief valves. Overall adjust-
ment is incorporated into the stroke of the cylinder. Nominal cylinder
size and pump flow are indicated on the rating plate. Check the voltage
shown is correct for the output of your autopilot.

Please do not disconnect any of the hoses, the system has been filled
and tested prior to shipment.

Ensure you read and understand the special reservoir instructions on
page 10 before commencing installation.

LOCATION

For marine applications these systems are designed for

'under deck'

installations only.

Excessive temperature, vibration and fumes in the atmosphere can
drastically reduce motor life.

It must be mounted securely and on a surface that is able to withstand
the high thrusts generated.

As in common with other electrical equipment contact with water and
excessive humidity must be avoided.

Any attitude of mounting may be used but horizontal is preferred. Refer
to the installation and technical data pages for further information.

The reservoir must be located in an area that is not subject to extremes
of temperature and humidity and away from refrigeration compressors
and air-conditioning plant.

SYSTEM CONTENTS

PUMP

CYLINDER

RESERVOIR

CLUTCH

TILLER BOLT
& FITTINGS

PUMP
FASTENERS

CYLINDER
FASTENERS

TOP-UP OIL

RUDDER
FEEDBACK KIT
(OPTIONAL)

MAINTENANCE & SERVICE

With a minimum of moving parts and top quality precision engineering
the system will give many years of trouble free service if the following
points are adhered to.

▪

Keep the cylinder rod free from damage.

▪

Avoid exposing the unit to salt water.

Perform the following tasks on a regular basis:

▪

Check the security of the mounting base and tiller bolt.

▪

Lubricate the mounting pin & rod end - use only a good quality marine

grease that is compatible with nitrile seals.

▪

Examine all electrical connections.

▪

Examine the condition of the oil in the reservoir and empty, clean and

re-fill with fresh fluid if necessary.

Cylinder Seals

Should service replacement seals be required, a kit is available from
your nearest dealer under the following part code: R4100-sk.
State the serial number of your unit when ordering (ref. page 19).

EMERGENCY QUICK RELEASE

In the unlikely event of failure of the actuator a quick release R-Clip is fit-
ted to the tiller bolt which secures the actuator to the steering quadrant.

Pull the red tab to release the R-Clip and then manually lift the actuator
clear of the steering quadrant.

EMERGENCY STEERING -
PRIMARY STEERING FAILURE

If the primary steering fails it may be
possible to steer the boat via the
autopilot controls.

TECHNICAL DATA

Pump

The pump fitted to the

RAM T3

+ system is the PR+25 model.

Please refer to the PR+ manual for technical and service details.

Cylinder

Volume

538

(Nominal)

Area

176.6

mm²

Stroke

305

Adjustment

Performance

Maximum thrust (intermittent) 10980N at 55 bar
Hard over time nominal

13 seconds

Temperature rating minimum

-20ºC

Temperature rating maximum

+65ºC

Relief valve setting

62 bar (12400N)

Orientation

Red

lead

Positive

Cylinder

Retracts

Clutch

Coil voltage nominal

12 or 24 V DC

Coil power continuous

12 watt

Protection IP65
Connection

DIN 43650

2 Core 2.5 mm²

Declaration of Conformity

EMC Directive 2014/30/EU

Fluid

ISO

VG10

VG40

Hydraulic

mineral

fluid

meeting

ISO

6743-4

The following commercial fluids
are suitable

Fuchs Renolin B15 HV1

Seastar

HA5430

Ports

Cylinder

G1/4(BSP)

parallel

BS2779’73

Hoses

Threads

5/8-18

SAE

female

swivel

Material

Brass

Type Marine

Steering

Hose

1000

PSI

Working

Pressure

5/16”

I/D

Length

meter

Materials

Body

Aluminium BS 1490

Cylinder rod

Stainless Steel Chrome Plated

Seals

Nitrile & PTFE

Body Protection

SP270

System Weight

14 kg Gross

RUDDER FEEDBACK UNIT (Optional)

A rudder reference or ‘feedback’ unit is available as an option for the
RAM T3 System. Please contact your dealer for details Ref. Part no.
R4104 (Ref. page 19).

RESERVOIR PREPARATION

IMPORTANT!

The reservoir is fitted with a special cap with a breather hole that is
sealed for transit and must be opened before operation.

Do not attempt to move the cylinder rod before completing the
following steps;

1) Mount the reservoir on a bulkhead as far above the pump and

cylinder as possible using both the mounting holes provided.

2) Remove the transit screw and seal from the cap to open the

breather. Retain for future use.

3) Fill the reservoir to the max level indicated on the label using the

top-up oil included in the carton.

4) Turn the tap to the ‘ON’ position.

5) Check the mid-ships oil level and top up if necessary.

Transit screw

Seal

RESERVOIR INSTALLATION

CYLINDER INSTALLATION

Ensure that cylinder rod movement is limited by
the Steering end-stops and not by the actuator.

Check that no part of the actuator fouls the structure
of the vessel or quadrant throughout its full range of move-
ment.

Warning! Do not exceed the +/-5º angle at the extremes of
stroke, damage to the cylinder bearings and rod will occur.
Check carefully before commissioning.

QUADRANT

Typical installation for a
257 mm quadrant with to-
tal rudder angle of 70 de-
grees.

DIMENSIONS FOR CYLINDER MOUNTING FOOT

(NOT TO SCALE)

LOCTITE

PIN 1
POSITIVE

PIN 2
NEGATIVE

NOT USED

TILLER BOLT

The tiller bolt supplied is suitable for a
quadrant thickness of 20 to 25 mm.

The tiller bolt mounting hole should
be drilled Ø20.1 to 20.2 mm.

An application of Loctite 638 or
a commercial equivalent where
shown is recommended.

Tighten the M20 nut to 68 Nm.

MOUNTING FOOT

The four M8 nuts, bolts and washers
supplied are suitable for mounting the
actuator onto a surface of
between 12 mm and 24 mm thick.

Tighten the four M8 nuts to 17 Nm.

Tighten the central mounting bolt to
70 Nm.

COIL CONNECTIONS

MOUNTING
BOLT

Use this procedure if air has entered the hydraulic system

or if it has been dismantled.

Important! Use only the recommended hydraulic fluid – see page 8.

Before commencing ensure that any containers are clean and free of
contamination. Please dispose of any waste fluid and materials
responsibly.

Danger of entrapment! - Keep clear of moving steering components and
linkages at all times.

Procedure:

Assemble the drive with pump, hoses, reservoir and install. Except –

Do not connect the motor to the course computer
(the pump is not used to bleed the system).

Do not connect the ram to the quadrant.

1) Engage the clutch by turning the autopilot on (refer to the Autopilot

manual).

2) Fill the reservoir and turn the tap on.
3) Loosen the reservoir hose at the ram (but do not disconnect it).
  Fluid will emerge, tighten when all air bubbles have gone, top up the
reservoir
4) Remove A and B hoses from the pump and place the ends in a
  container of fluid.
5) Slowly pull and push the ram fully in and out ensuring the ends
  remain immersed until all air has been expelled.
6) With the ram in mid position, reconnect A and B hoses to the pump.

Check the reservoir level and top up if required.

7) Turn the autopilot off.
8) Reconnect the motor to the course computer and the ram to the

quadrant.

The Drive is now ready to run. If it initially fails to respond to the
autopilot correctly use the wheel to assist by turning in the same
direction as the ram. This will move any air trapped in the pump.

Note. If the drive uses a constant running pump remove the hose and
fitting from the reservoir port, fill and replace the fitting and hose before
point 3) above.

REFILLING AND BLEEDING

4 & 6

ON OFF

HYDRAULIC FLUID

Caution

Do not use Brake fluid. Use mineral based good quality hydraulic fluid
compatible with nitrile hydraulic seals.

Ref technical Data on page

COMMISSIONING

Caution
Be aware of the danger of moving linkages and the risk of
entrapment.

Use the primary steering to check the full range of movement before
commissioning the autopilot.

Caution
Check the unit for damage and leaks after installation.

FAULT FINDING

Under no circumstances dismantle the unit unless it is certain that
the fault is internal. Doing so will allow air into the cylinder,
requiring the unit to be bled for which special tools are needed.
Ref. page 16.

Caution
Any damage to the piston rod will damage its seals and allow air into the
cylinder and oil leaks.

1) Motor does not run

: check electrical connections.
: check course computer output.

2) Motor runs, but erratic or no piston movement

: check for solenoid operation.
: check for air in the cylinder and external leaks.
: check drive coupling.

3) Excessive noise

: check the motor for damage.
: check for air in the cylinder and external leaks.
: check drive coupling.

4) Failure of clutch to engage or disengage

: check solenoid operation.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Please ensure all waste materials and fluid are disposed of properly af-
ter installation.

At end of life disposal this product should be recycled.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Keep this manual in a safe place. Quote the model and serial numbers
in all correspondence.

Model Number:

________________________________

Serial Number:

________________________________

Date of Purchase:

________________________________

Dealer:

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

CONTACT DETAILS

For inquiries in general, contact Simrad or B&G:

www.simrad-yachting.com

www.bandg.com

For inquiries of spare parts, contact Hydraulic Projects Limited:

www.hypro.co.uk

988-12094-001