Seastar hydraulic steering ram

[Blue_Runner]

Phat don't think I can use a data transfer cable with my unit? There is no port that I see. Looks like I can save to a card. Does that mean I can save to a bluechart card??? I have a couple hundred numbers I manually entered in mine, while I don't use them all I'd like to have them without having to go through all that.

[Blue_Runner]

Did some poking around....Phat is this the cable you have? If so I'm definitely interested.

[Blue_Runner]

I was going to order the seal repair kit but upon further inspection I found that the rod has several tiny scratches and one big enough to catch on my fingernail - all in one small spot I hadn't noticed before. So I went online, found and ordered the newer version of the front mounted seastar ram for $380 + $12 shipping. Should be able to bolt it up, fill, bleed and go. The newer model is HC5345-3. I called Teleflex to make sure I could swap it for my HC5345. The Telelflex tech said the newer ram has improved seals to help prevent what apparently happened to mine.

[phatdaddy]

Blue, sorry just saw the question about the cable, yes that's it, I think. How many pins does your connector have? Mine also has a usb to transfer data to a computer. Do you use the mapsource program from garmin?

[Blue_Runner]

no phat I'm not using the garmin software on the computer. I'm using my work laptop which is completely useless for installing software, uploading pix (anything for that matter). I need to get a laptop.

So to use the cable with usb, wouldn't I need to have the garmin software installed? Which would allow me to download on the my replacement unit?

BTW - I got the unit from the guy in FL. Good looking unit and I've tested it out - works great! We'll see how long....

Good thing is, my other unit the screen isn't all the way out, just starting. I can carry it as a backup unit.

[THEFERMANATOR]

I just now seen this. I have a like new SEASTAR ram for a YAMAHA out in the shop. The bracket that connects the ram to the engine was broken because he trimmed the engine up with the jack plate down, but other than that it was almost new. I need to snap a pic of it and see if anybody could use it, getting rid of most all of my stuff because I can't work anymore.

[Blue_Runner]

It will be interesting to see how long this "improved" unit lasts. I feel like I'm getting a pretty good deal as if you look for HC5345-3 you can pay up to $600 or more.

I took my leaking unit for a cruise on the lake yesterday. I topped off the fluid at the helm as best I could. Definitely lots of slop in the steering but we were just putting around mostly. Had to blow the cobwebs out of the engine. lol

[phatdaddy]

Blue, I think u have to have mapsource to download the info to the computer, then connect the new machine and upload to it.

Might want to call garmin support and ask them with the machine model #'s

Let me know if you need this cable, your welcome to use it, I got it on amazon for about $15. We'd have that much in shipping back & forth.

[Blue_Runner]

Yea Phat, saw it online for about that price and was thinking exact same thing about shipping back and forth. Appreciate the offer though. Think I'm just going to plug in the handful of numbers I actually use and not worry too much about the other ~150.

[Blue_Runner]

My brother in law helped me install the replacement seastar ram this evening. Not too bad. Got it bled, so far no leaks. The newer units also have zerk fittings on the mounts, which is where they tend to get seized in to the tilt rod from corrosion. Also they added a ground wire from the rod to the engine mount that is supposed to limit corrosion. In addition to the supposed improved seals....I'm glad to see teleflex delivering improvements to common issues with their product!

Went to rewire the trailer - wiring harness too short. Why in the world doesn't it say on the package how long the harness is?!?!?!?!?