H400 hydraulic steering pedestal

Jefa 400 series steering pedestal concept

With the 400 series pedestal Jefa Steering introduces a new style integrated* pedestal design. All major functions for the modern helmsman are integrated in one central steering and control centre: The integrated engine control offers easy installation and quick access. The integrated compass offers easy and clear readings without the need of a separate binnacle. The 25 mm diameter stainless steel 316 guardrail is firmly attached to the pedestal head offering the best protection for the compass and pedestal combined with a strong support when moving around in the cockpit. The large glass fibre pedestal head accepts even the largest radar instruments.

The 400 series pedestal concept has big advantages over existing similar concepts:
The robust powder coated aluminium base has no mounting holes for pedestal bolts as these are integrated in the pedestal deck flange. This avoids multiple weak points for damage with the accompanying corrosion and possible leaking.
The input socket has a large water draining groove behind the cover plate to prevent any water entering the pedestal.
The pedestal head largely overhangs the aluminium base to prevent any splash water entering the pedestal from underneath the head.
The pedestal head is strongly attached to the aluminium base by resting on a horizontal flange and clamped by a counter flange.
The engine control mechanism is not attached to the pedestal head but to the pedestal base. This offers the unique advantage of mounting the complete mechanism to the pedestal and the attachment of the control cables independently from the pedestal head. The pedestal head can be worked on separately in the workshop to be adapted to the customer requirements with instruments, buttons and joysticks. This concept also eases the retrofit of a mechanism, or a swap from starboard to port.
The robust guardrail has a four point connection to the pedestal head, spreading the loads smoothly over the pedestal head.
The guardrail is attached to the back of the pedestal leaving the top surfaces completely usable for buttons or joysticks.
The underside of the pedestal deck flange has two large milled grooves where sealant can be applied to achieve a good sealing to the deck.
The steering shaft is sealed by the Jefa developed PUR seal. Normal industry seals use steel reinforcement rings in the rubber housing. As the standard industry rubber will start to crack due to the UV in the sunlight, the steel rings will corrode and destroy the seal letting water in the steering shaft bearings with disastrous effects.
The 400 series pedestal is available as WP400 for wire steering, as RP400 for rack and pinion steering, as H400 for hydraulic steering and as TS400 for transmission steering and all pedestals are CE approved.

Additional instruments mounting

Jefa H400 hydraulic steering pedestals

The H400 is the hydraulic steering version of the 400 series pedestal. The helm pump in the top of the pedestal is produced by one of the largest hydraulic steering companies in the world: Lecomble & Schmitt (www.ls-france.com). Both hydraulic steering connections and the hydraulic reservoir connection on the pump are extended to a valve block at the bottom of the pedestal. The two outer connections are connected to the hydraulic cylinder and the middle connection can be connected to the reservoir entrance of a hydraulic autopilot drive or an inside steering helm pump. All three connections are 3/8″ BSP. There is no non-return valve present in the pump, so when multiple pumps or an autopilot drive is use, a separate in-line non return valve should be used. The displayed engine control is optional.

Gallery

Jefa H400 hydraulic steering pedestal dimensions

• The standard heights of the pedestal are 710 and 800 mm. Custom heights are available at request.
• The compass mounting flange should not exceed 180 mm diameter.
• The appropriate compass hole will be drilled when the compass is ordered together with the pedestal.
• The pedestal mounting studs are available in multiple lengths to suit the cockpit floor thickness. The mounting studs are positioned on a square of 220 by 180 mm.
• All H400 pedestal variations are available as CAD drawing in our download area.

 

Hydraulic lock valve

The hydraulic pump in the pedestal is not equipped with a lock valve (non-return valve). The consequence is that the rudder pressure can be felt on the steering wheel, and when the helmsman loosens the wheel, the wheel will rotate back to the mid position. When this feature isn’t appreciated, one should us a lock valve to prevent oil to flow back to the pump.
When the hydraulic system is equipped with a second pump (for inside steering) or a hydraulic autopilot drive one should always us a lock valve between the pedestal and the rest of the hydraulic system. This will force the oil to the cylinder and prevent it to take the easy route to the pump and cause the wheel to rotate

 

Jefa H400 pedestal examples

Type 400 pedestal with top mount guardrail to save space in front of pedestal

Type 400 pedestal on C-Yacht 12.50 with E80 plotter fitted. The E80 plotter can be mounted into the WP400 and TS400 without further modifications (only the radar cable with angled connecter has to be ordered at Raymarine). To mount the E80 in the RP400, a 15 mm thick spacer plate will have to be made.