[edmundsteele]

I have decided to add an autopilot to my 2005 model 3200 Open. Whether I choose the Raymarine route or the Simrad route, I need to install a powered hydraulic pump in the existing steering system. The Tiara helm is a SeaStar model HH5273 and has two hydraulic hoses coming out of it. The steering ram is a SeaStar BA150-7ATM that has the same two hydraulic hoses connected to it. Both the Raymarine pump and the Simrad pump have three ports each. Two ports to tee into the SeaStar setup, as you would expect and an additional third port to connect to a “reservoir” port at the helm. I see no such reservoir port on either the helm pump or indicated in the SeaStar manual. The autopilot installation guide insists that in this event, I need to add an additional hydraulic reservoir that is to be placed above the level of the helm – not an easy task if the autopilot pump is installed next to the steering ram in the stern. Has anyone installed an autopilot and if so, how did you handle the “third” hose? 
Ed

[ReelMagic]

I have a SIMRAD AP21 aurtopilot installed on my 2003 38 Open and do NOT have an extra or any reservoir associated with the steering system. The system is also SEASTAR utilizing the built in helm reservoir... system works great. Would think additional fluid would be required when the autopilot is added but not a separate reservoir.... M2C

[Sans Peur]

I have the Raymarine autopilot on my 41 Open and it doesn't have anything extra either. Neither did my last boat. This is a new one to me.
How difficult would it be to put a small bottle under the dash and use it like that?

[trit21]

Check the back of the seastar, I think there is an expansion connection which is where you can hook the 'extra' reservoir line to. BUT please check all documentation and verify that is ok to do.

[edmundsteele]

Thank you for your feedback and comments. I just found an internet sales brochure that lists the features of the HH5273 helm pump. It claims that it has an “internal air pocket eliminates oil expansion overflow”. I hope that this means I can ignore the “third hydraulic line” with its associated reservoir.
Saludos,
Ed

[Uhehner]

I have decided to add an autopilot to my 2005 model 3200 Open. Whether I choose the Raymarine route or the Simrad route, I need to install a powered hydraulic pump in the existing steering system. The Tiara helm is a SeaStar model HH5273 and has two hydraulic hoses coming out of it. The steering ram is a SeaStar BA150-7ATM that has the same two hydraulic hoses connected to it. Both the Raymarine pump and the Simrad pump have three ports each. Two ports to tee into the SeaStar setup, as you would expect and an additional third port to connect to a “reservoir” port at the helm. I see no such reservoir port on either the helm pump or indicated in the SeaStar manual. The autopilot installation guide insists that in this event, I need to add an additional hydraulic reservoir that is to be placed above the level of the helm – not an easy task if the autopilot pump is installed next to the steering ram in the stern. Has anyone installed an autopilot and if so, how did you handle the “third” hose? 
Ed

Read my comments on autopilot installations and having a power disconnect switch next to the display head.  When the computer fails they will make a HARD turn into the stops.
Capt.  George

[edmundsteele]

FWIW, I haven't installed the Simrad autopilot R-80 pump yet but I did get an e-mail back from Seastar technical support that the "lower or south" port on the helm unit can be used for the compensation 3rd line. The Simrad technical support guy I spoke with just kept parroting that he had never seen a steering system that didn't utilize three hydraulic lines.
Ed

[edmundsteele]

FYI, I did finally get around to installing the Simrad autopilot – with the “third” hydraulic line linking the reservoirs – and all seems to be working nicely. The final testing was delayed because unfortunately, I had purchased the NAC-2 autopilot computer instead of the similar NAC-3, without realizing that the former doesn’t have a NMEA 0183 port. My Tiara 3200 doesn’t have a paddle-wheel speed sensor or its equivalent and the Simrad computer needs the boat speed in order to calculate the rate of turn, or whatever. The bottom line is that I really did have to interface the autopilot to the original equipment Garmin 3010C in order to get the SOG from the Garmin. Back to the internet and I bought and installed a Furuno NMEA2000 to NMEA 0183 converter. I now have this deep nest of NMEA 2000 cables behind the instrument console but at least it should be easier to add an AIS if I feel the need.