Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Hydraulic Drive Unit

["Gary R. Boucher" <engineer@sport.rr.com>]

SubQuandary,

    I mounted my hydraulic power unit outside on a
pivot.  My hydraulic pressures are always positive on all lines
running to and from the unit.  I allow the rubber lines to flex as
the unit moves from right to left.  Now, I did construct a bearing
assembly, a housing that contains a ball bearing.  The shaft that
runs out to the propeller goes through this housing and with set screw
and key clamps onto the hydraulic motor's shaft.  The enclosure is
filled with oil completely and also has a rubber seal on the back to keep
the oil inside and the water outside.
    If I had it to do over...  I would not use
hydraulic motor propulsion.  The complexity is not just in the
motor, but the pump, valves, etc.  I would use pressure compensated
trolling motors.  My system works, but it is a technical
challenge!
    Hope this helps you.

Gary Boucher


At 09:35 PM 11/17/2002, you wrote:
> This
> question is more or less directed to Gary Boucher but if anyone else
> could answer it I would appreciate it. 
>
> What is the weight of a hydraulic drive unit and can it be mounted safely
> outside of the pressure hull?