Hydraulic steering cylinder Balanced or unbalanced ?

[BB marine]

I am troubleshooting autopilot pilot /shadow Drive issues and in doing so I read the full installation manual. One of the installation guide lines is to confirm what type of steering cylinder is used. Balanced which is compatible with Garmin pumps. Unbalanced which is not compatible unless a balancing block is installed on the pump.
Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
PORT-A-GEE

 

[snydzy]

Brian,
It's a "balanced" cylinder. The rod protrudes from both ends of the cylinder. An "unbalanced" cylinder is used for the trim tabs.

 

[BB marine]

Thank you, I looked at it earlier this winter while I was greasing the Rudder log . I saw it was a push /pull cylinder but didn't see if the shaft protruded out the other side . I actually didn't care at the time.
Brian Brown
Cutwater26
PORT-A-GEE

 

[elan]

Good afternoon Bryon,
We have a 2012 26 Cutwater with a Garmin autopilot that we installed after we purchased the boat used three years ago, now have about 700 hrs on the boat.
Without going into ALOT of detales on the subject; three pumps, four lines blown while underway, etc, etc.
We now have the system working perfect!
Reach out to Garman & they will help you with the person that designed the system & resolve your several problems, they NEVER ask how old the system is or when you put it into service.
Their customer service & support is outstanding!
Good luck,
Mike Harbin
M/V Elan 2012 Cutwater
180 HP yanmar