Twin Engine Power Steering Question

[Monkey Business]

Has anyone attempted to design or maybe even seen a method of tying the port power steering pump into the power steering system. Maybe some type of t valve that you could specifically select which engine you want to use for powering the steering system? I am new to a twin engine boat, but I was definitely a little dissapointed when I discovered that the starboard side controls the whole steering system...not as reduntant as I had though. Thanks.

 

[comsnark]

On the plus side. . .even without power steering, you can still get home with out power steering. Won't be pretty . . . but you get there.

Won't be quick either. I don't know about the 280DA, but my lighter boat with bigger engines will not get on plane very easily with just one engine.

I still have a SeaTow membership. Never had to use it. I have come home on one engine a few times.

 

[hjb11355]

I just did this to my 06 AJ 290 and it works perfectly. I know can troll on either engine one at a time. If I have engine trouble on the STBD side (which is the default pump) I now have the port pump to give power steering. I don't understand why this is not a standard or at least an option for twins. Could not live without it now!!

 

[atrick]

On my 1995 290 sundancer with 4.3 each motor has a power steering pump but only one has a belt on it. I just take the belt off the one motor and put it on the other one, ten minute job. I assume it came that way from factory

 

[Bt Doctur]

See page 8A-12 in here http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/18/18A8R2.PDF

 

[Bt Doctur]

On my 1995 290 sundancer with 4.3 each motor has a power steering pump but only one has a belt on it. I just take the belt off the one motor and put it on the other one, ten minute job. I assume it came that way from factory

And you still wont have power steering ,the port motor runs in a loop, not to a steering actuator

 

[atrick]

I've never tried putting the belt on the other engine or traced the hoses but my question is why would they put a power steering pump on a engine that doesn't do anything?? Just sounds like a waste of money but at least I got a spare if main one goes bad!

 

[Carpediem44DB]

My Rinker 350 was the same way. Factory orders spec engines for efficiency and cheaper to install a coupling than removing the pump. At least you have a spare pump on board