Boating problem, Engine hatch actuator

[prosthogod]

So, 2 weeks ago one of mine goes out. I have 2, both eddie marine 18".
I take it apart and the motor still works and turns all the gears and it moves fine. The guy at eddie tells me I need a relay and a new actuator. I get the new actuator installed and it runs at a different speed than the other, So I take it out. This is where I stand. I haven't installed the relay yet. Take into consideration they cost $260.00, and they don't sell just the little motors that could easily be replaced.
What should I do?

 

[sdpm]

Voltage drop or lack of is what kills electric motors. Try this, put the ram back together, and just touch the 2 wires (1 to positive and 1 to negitive) to a fresh battery. You will need to hold the shaft from spinning so that it will raise up and lower down when you reverse the wires on the battery. Most likely you will find that the ram is fine and it just needs more voltage. A relay system is a must for these rams. The voltage drops alot by the time it runs from the dash to the ram motor. The relay shortens that distance.


I myself use a trim harness from a Mercury Outboard and they work great and very simple to install.

 

[schiadastan]

So, 2 weeks ago one of mine goes out. I have 2, both eddie marine 18".
I take it apart and the motor still works and turns all the gears and it moves fine. The guy at eddie tells me I need a relay and a new actuator. I get the new actuator installed and it runs at a different speed than the other, So I take it out. This is where I stand. I haven't installed the relay yet. Take into consideration they cost $260.00, and they don't sell just the little motors that could easily be replaced.
What should I do?

If you have a 3 pole switch you need to use relays to make the hatch motor work. becouse of the reverse thro on the motors. if you have a 6 pole switch you dont have to have a relay. Also when we order hatch rams for the shop eather 18" or 24" you need to find out the lifting weight.
the 300 pound hatch lifts run faster that the 500 pounders do. i hope this helps.

 

[prosthogod]

So I can get the ram to go by going straight to the battery, so it looks like installing the relay is the way to go. Should I install at the helm or in the engine hatch area?

 

[sdpm]

So I can get the ram to go by going straight to the battery, so it looks like installing the relay is the way to go. Should I install at the helm or in the engine hatch area?

Yes. All you are doing is reversing the polarity. Relay has to be near the rams. The only thing the relay does is shorten the distance the current has to travel and that is what we are trying to do here. Least amount of voltage drop as possible.

 

[DrHW]

Thanks for this info.

 

[Spot]

Voltage drop or lack of is what kills electric motors. Try this, put the ram back together, and just touch the 2 wires (1 to positive and 1 to negitive) to a fresh battery. You will need to hold the shaft from spinning so that it will raise up and lower down when you reverse the wires on the battery. Most likely you will find that the ram is fine and it just needs more voltage. A relay system is a must for these rams. The voltage drops alot by the time it runs from the dash to the ram motor. The relay shortens that distance.


I myself use a trim harness from a Mercury Outboard and they work great and very simple to install.

Sums it up right there. Al and Eds in Ontario fixed mine while I was getting some stereo stuff done.

 

[gqchris]

Prostho here is what you need: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cole-Hersee...733?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35bbd55bbd

This is what Eddie sells as their relay.

I put this in last month and it made a huge difference! I just installed mine in the bilge on my back seat. Took about an hour or so and no more Hatch getting stuck on the up or down, and the speed is twice.

Chris