Quote:
Originally Posted by Portage_Bay
I've seen the kind of setup you're planning on one boat. A massive North Sea commercial trawler. Big rams, big hydraulicraulic lines, long runs. All of which mean a large hydraulic fluid volume. I'm not sure what is to be gained by installing valves on a smaller system like most recreational boats have, the total hydraulic volume is quite small. And the normal bleeding process after re-fill is to turn the highest helm pump hard left - hard right repeatedly until the air is gone. It usually doesn't take very long. Another thing to think about is hydraulic hoses have a 'shelf life' regardless of hours of operation. 12 yrs is what I was told by someone far more knowledgable than I. Pro-actively replacing the hoses at 12 yrs of age is a good idea. That means the hydraulic oil is also 12 yrs old. I do both at the same time. Valves and bleed ports seem a good idea. But you've added more joints to leak, more points of failure and more opportunities for operator error. I don't know about you, but this operator is quite capable of making stupid mistakes. 
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At least that setup has been seen somewhere else so I am not totally out of my mind

Of course as often I may be over thinking this and try to build a tank when I need a bicycle lol
But no, not at all, never ever, I am doing stupid mistake no no no, or none I will ever admit
L