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OWNER'S MANUAL

Operation, back-up helm behaviour, hydraulic ports, filling and air purging, maintenance intervals, troubleshooting and the spare parts numbers for Sleipner ESPE600, ESPE700 and ESPE1500 Mk III power steering.

DocumentSleipner Power Steering Systems Mk. III ESPE600, ESPE700, ESPE1500 User Manual
FormatPDF · 16 pages · 2.1 MB
LanguageEnglish
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SystemHydraulic PortsFill & PurgeMaintenanceSpare PartsProducts
Sleipner Power Steering Systems Mk. III ESPE600, ESPE700, ESPE1500 — User Manual

Main Components

  • System unit: Electronic Control Unit (ECU), oil filter and valve block integrated with the oil tank.
  • Hydraulic pump unit driven by a 24 volt DC electric motor.
  • One or two helm pumps, plus hydraulic cylinder(s).
  • Twin-helm flybridge: the lower helm sends electronic signals and doubles as the hydraulic back-up pump; the upper helm is electronic only. Both helms have a red warning LED.
  • Wheel turns stop to stop: 3.5 - 6.5 in servo mode, 10 - 35 in back-up mode (depending on setup).
  • The system is activated by a 24V signal on the Engine 1 or Engine 2 terminals from a stable source that is live when the vessel is in sailing mode.

In the Event of Shutdown

  • Helm warning light or alarm: reduce engine power to idle immediately and go to the helm with hydraulic back-up (the lower helm on a flybridge boat).
  • The ECU keeps monitoring the alarm for two minutes; if it clears the system carries on, otherwise it shuts down.
  • In back-up mode steering needs more wheel turns and is heavier: do not keep running at high speed.
  • Electric-only helms do not work when the system is shut down.
  • To centralise the rudders: release the valve locknut, open NV3 and NV4 (CCW to stop), centre the rudders, then close NV3 and NV4 (CW to stop) and tighten the locknut.
  • Release tank pressure before servicing or removing the filler cap (invert the air valve dust cover and press it on the valve).

System Unit Ports

Port Size Function
P1 1/4" BSP Helm pump pressure port A
P2 1/4" BSP Helm pump pressure port B
T 1/4" BSP Helm pump upper drain port
T1 1/4" BSP Helm pump lower drain port
S 1/2" BSP Servo pump hydraulic inlet / suction
P 1/2" BSP Servo pump hydraulic outlet / pressure
A 1/4" BSP Rudder cylinder stb feed / port return
B 1/4" BSP Rudder cylinder port feed / stb return
  • On the helm pump the matching ports are A and B (pressure) and X2 / X1 (upper / lower drain), all 1/4" BSP.
  • Servo pump inlet and outlet: 1/2" BSP on the ESPE 1500, 3/8" BSP on the ESPE 600 and ESPE700.
  • ECU switches: Pump Override (switch 1) and Engine On Override (switch 2) – down for normal operation, up only for air purging.

Filling and Air Purging

  1. Fill the tank with hydraulic oil ISOVG-15 (DIN51524-3 HVLP) through a filling filter.
  2. Set the servo unit valves: NV1 closed (CW to stop), NV2, NV3 and NV4 open (CCW to stop).
  3. Switch on main power to the servo unit; set the ignition on, or Engine Override (switch 2) up.
  4. Run the pump for 3 minutes with Pump Override (switch 1) up; top up whenever the oil falls below the level gauge (larger yachts need several top-ups).
  5. Pressurise the tank to 1.5 bar with the supplied air pump and wait 3 minutes.
  6. Turn the lower helm (hydraulic/electric) 20 revolutions to port, then 20 to starboard.
  7. Reset the valves: NV1 open (CCW), NV2, NV3 and NV4 closed (CW).
  8. Switch off ignition, Engine Override and Pump Override: the system now steers as plain hydraulic steering (heavier).
  9. Hold the wheel against each end stop for approximately 5 sec, both directions, twice.
  10. Check for leaks, top up to the upper half of the level gauge and pressurise the tank to 1.5 bar.
  11. Both override switches must be down for normal operation with the main engines running.

Service Intervals

Interval Task
Monthly Tank pressure min. 1.25 Bar/18 PSI, max. 2.0 Bar/29 PSI; oil visible in the upper half of the level gauge; if low, find the leak and top up
Every 6 months Hoses and fittings for leaks and damage (sharp edges, hot surfaces); all bolts tight; bearings and joints lubricated and free
Yearly Check DC motor brush wear
After the first year, then every third year Replace hydraulic oil and filter

Troubleshooting (MK3)

Symptom Check / action
Steering stopped, no alarm Circuit breaker and voltage on B+/B-; motor or worn brushes (ESPE 600/700 motor without fan: replace complete motor)
No end stop Orange end-stop LED on the PCB, adjust or replace the pressure switch; lower helm: lock valve sticking open or no oil in helm; upper helm: end stop brake / brake signal
Weak steering Worn cylinder piston seals or worn hydraulic pump
Creeping rudder Leaking load holding valves (adjust) or piston seal
Grey / white oil Water in oil: replace complete system or cooler kit (to be discussed)
Alarm port only / stb only Valve coil: 39,3Ω @20°C; connector or loom
Alarm both sides Servo valve coil 21,7Ω @20°C, lock valve coil 39,3Ω @20°C, connector, loom or relay
Motor runs 2 min then stops Oil temperature and cooling, tank sensor <130 Ω; motor temperature switch (NC)
Low voltage alarm Alarms below 18V

Spare Parts

Item Part ESPE600 ESPE700 ESPE1500
1 Filter element 74283 74283 74283
2 Complete filter 74091 74091 74091
3 Pressure switch 74310-KIT 74310-KIT 74310-KIT
4 Pressure gauge 74227 74227 74227
5 Cooler kit 74065-2 74065-2 74065-2
6 Coil servo/prop. valve 74265 74265 74265
7 Coil dir. control valves and lock/bypass valve 74266 74266 74266
8 Valve cartridge, directional control valve 74263 74263 74263
9 Valve cartridge, lock/bypass valve 7462 (as printed) 7462 (as printed) 74262
10 Temp sensor tank 74231 74231 74231
11 Temp switch motor 74274 74274 74274
12 Sight glass / level gauge 74320 74320 74320
13 O-rings tank cover 74219 74219 74219
14 Air filler valve 74076 74076 74076
15 Tank pressure relief valve 74223 74223 74223
16 O-rings oil filler plug 74216 74216 74216
17 Valve cartridge, servo valve 74260 74261 74261
18 Pump / motor unit 74000 74000 74282
19 DC motor 74217-R-S * 74217-R-S * 74272-S
19.1 Brush kit 74369 ** 74369 ** 73996
19.2 Spring kit – – 73996-S
20 Cover for pump / motor unit 74220A 74220A 74276
21 Motor starter relay 6 8877 (as printed) 6 8877 (as printed) 74278
22 ECU circuit board MK3 74294-600 *** 74294-700 *** 74294-1500 ***
22.1 ECU complete with harness MK3 74291-600 *** 74291-700 *** 74291-1500 ***
23 ECU complete with harness MK2 - MK3 74291-MK2-3-600 **** 74291-MK2-3-700 **** 74291-MK2-3-1500 ****
24 ECU complete with harness MK1 - MK3 74291-MK1-3-600 ***** – –
25 Gear pump 74089 74089 74256
26 Helm insulation valve 74303 74303 74303
27 Load holding valves 74302 74302 74302

* New cover 74220A required when replacing a motor without cooling fan. ** For motor type with fan. *** Systems delivered after spring 2008. **** Upgrade kit for systems delivered up to spring 2008 (S/N and picture required). ***** Upgrade kit for systems delivered 2006 / early 2007 (S/N and picture required). The manual spells "value" for valve in this table.

Sleipner ESPE system unit and servo pump unit spare parts drawing

Steering Cylinders

Cylinder Seal kit Rod end
71140P190 75140 73051
71220P190 75220 73051
71220P220 75220 73051

Helms

Helm Shaft seal kit
74085 74008
74087B –

Sleipner steering cylinder seal kit and helm shaft seal drawing

Need a part that isn't listed? Ask us to source it and quote the part number from the PDF.

Products in this Manual