Hatch ram wiring

[Big B Hova]

My hatch ram is slower than a sloth. It's got 2 super small Guage wires that go all the way up front to the up / down switch. What's the best relay to wire at the ram so I can run the proper Guage wires? When I hit the button, my whole dash dims, radio shuts off and the party stops.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Sounds like it is some other amp draw problem.. If the ram is dimming your lights and killing the stereo that is indicative of some other problem. I have dual rams and there is no effect on anything when I run them.

Jump them directly to a battery and see what happens.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Many people have added a relay to the ram. Do a search I think Rex marine had a harness at one time to help.

 

[spectracular]

This is what you need to do. Put the relays close to the ram. Use the existing ram wiring to trigger the relays and run bigger power ground wires to the relays.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Yep! Solid advice here.

Also check that your Rams actually work properly whe you apply direct power to them.

 

[Shortdeck]

Here's the diagram I have.

 

[Big B Hova]

Thanks guys. I know it's a combo of old wiring under the dash, and no relay at the hatch ram. You should see how small the wires are going to it.

 

[Ibeplumbing]

I had a thread on this last year about this time, you might be able to search and find it. But the Rex relay is night and day difference. Easy to put in, instructions are on the back of the relay. Worth every penny. calling Rex was the easiest way to order it

 

[Big B Hova]

I Googled this

http://shopping.rexmar.com/page53.html

 

[Ibeplumbing]

Idk mine didn't look like that from Rex but I guess that would work too. Here's mine. It's just a warlock. Ain't no DCB or nothing fancy lol

 

[Big B Hova]

Idk mine didn't look like that from Rex but I guess that would work too. Here's mine. It's just a warlock. Ain't no DCB or nothing fancy lol

View attachment 472831

We're you wearing black socks while installing it?

 

[77charger]

Thanks guys. I know it's a combo of old wiring under the dash, and no relay at the hatch ram. You should see how small the wires are going to it.

Mine was the same way but one thing i found was their was only one small ground wire that goes from the rear to the dash and the switch.I just added another ground wire to go from the rear to the front and this helped with the hatch speed.

But i like the relay idea and going to look into that too.

 

[cicchetti_24]

Mine is pretty slow as well... I don't recall if it dims lights, but man I'll hit the hatch button and sometimes it takes a second to start going up. I thought maybe it's just in its last leg.

 

[Ibeplumbing]

We're you wearing black socks while installing it?

I seriously do wear black socks. Always have, I hate white socks.

 

[Big B Hova]

Mine was the same way but one thing i found was their was only one small ground wire that goes from the rear to the dash and the switch.I just added another ground wire to go from the rear to the front and this helped with the hatch speed.

But i like the relay idea and going to look into that too.

I'm going to fish a new, larger ground wire from rear to front as well (I'm sure it wouldn't hurt)

 

[Big B Hova]

I seriously do wear black socks. Always have, I hate white socks.

#whitesocksmatter

 

[Bigbore500r]

Idk mine didn't look like that from Rex but I guess that would work too. Here's mine. It's just a warlock. Ain't no DCB or nothing fancy lol

View attachment 472831

Just add 700 zip ties to what u see in the pic.....
Eat your heart out DCB

 

[Ibeplumbing]

Just add 700 zip ties to what u see in the pic.....
Eat your heart out DCB

This install was obviously all about function...I'll stick to plumbing

 

[Bigbore500r]

This install was obviously all about function...I'll stick to plumbing

Pipe tape the shit out of your next install!

 

[jetboatmatt]

Mine does the same thing and sometimes have to hit the new switch a few times before it opens!! I will try a relay! Thanks guys!!

 

[spectracular]

Mine does the same thing and sometimes have to hit the new switch a few times before it opens!! I will try a relay! Thanks guys!!

Put a volt meter on the leads at the ram and watch the voltage as you lift/lower the hatch. If it drops a lot you need a relay-actually you need 2

 

[Rexone]

Idk mine didn't look like that from Rex but I guess that would work too. Here's mine. It's just a warlock. Ain't no DCB or nothing fancy lol

View attachment 472831

This is the type we use now (on the right).

 

[jetboatmatt]

This is the type we use now (on the right).

Do you have two Rams or just one? Looks like a lot of wires! Thanks

 

[bocco]

http://www.amazon.com/Reversing-Con...7642&sr=8-1&keywords=winch+reversing+solenoid

I've use one of these for V-drive cavitation plates. Same principal though. Run a fat wire from the battery to the relay. The wires to the dash now provide direction only. The high current flow is straight through the relay.

 

[Racey]

Here's the diagram I have.

View attachment 472822

Exactly, if this looks a little confusing here is the basics of how this works, on a two pole relay when it's not energized you get a connection between poles 30 and 87a, when it is energized the switch moves pin 30's connection from 87a to 87. 85 and 86 are your triggers (this is where you connect to your dash switch and ground)

So what you are doing is sending ground to both wires on the hatch ram all time, when either relay it switched on it changes the wire going to the motor from ground (-) to hot (+). Up energizes one relay, down energizes the other. hence it switches which side of the motor gets the hot depending on which relay you energize.

 

[jetboatmatt]

Exactly, if this looks a little confusing here is the basics of how this works, on a two pole relay when it's not energized you get a connection between poles 30 and 87a, when it is energized the switch moves pin 30's connection from 87a to 87. 85 and 86 are your triggers (this is where you connect to your dash switch and ground)

So what you are doing is sending ground to both wires on the hatch ram all time, when either relay it switched on it changes the wire going to the motor from ground (-) to hot (+). Up energizes one relay, down energizes the other. hence it switches which side of the motor gets the hot depending on which relay you energize.

Awesome thanks a bunch! That makes more sense. After I get it back from service I will tackle this. Maybe just have the shop for service do it. Thanks again!

 

[spectracular]

http://www.amazon.com/Reversing-Con...7642&sr=8-1&keywords=winch+reversing+solenoid

I've use one of these for V-drive cavitation plates. Same principal though. Run a fat wire from the battery to the relay. The wires to the dash now provide direction only. The high current flow is straight through the relay.

Thanks for this! Seems like a better solution vs running 2 different relays. Also 75 amps vs 30 for the bosch-style relays.

 

[Big B Hova]

I did a test yesterday and ran power straight to the ram and it worked perfect. I'm going to buy this relay today!

 

[Kbach]

If anybody needs a relay like the Amazon link let me know. I bought two for some stupid reason and still have one new in the box. $20 and can meet up if local to the SFV or Torrance area or can ship too.

 

[28Eliminator]

If anybody needs a relay like the Amazon link let me know. I bought two for some stupid reason and still have one new in the box. $20 and can meet up if local to the SFV or Torrance area or can ship too.

Did you install one on a hatch actuator? did it work?

 

[Big B Hova]

If anybody needs a relay like the Amazon link let me know. I bought two for some stupid reason and still have one new in the box. $20 and can meet up if local to the SFV or Torrance area or can ship too.

I call dibs!

 

[Big B Hova]

Did you install one on a hatch actuator? did it work?

I know it will work on my boat. The power and ground wires are too small and too far from the battery to power the ram. I jumped it with some fat wires and it fast. Simpe wiring and I can jump the wires off of the feed for my power trim pump ( right next to the ram, and already 10guage power and ground going to.it.)

 

[74 spectra20 v-drive]

I went with a Cole Hersee unit, very clean and direction are on the unit.

Forward & Reverse Relay Module item 24452,

 

[Kbach]

I call dibs!

Left it in your bush tonight....wait that didn't sound right!!

 

[Big B Hova]

Left it in your bush tonight....wait that didn't sound right!!

Woah now! Still haven't even made it home yet LOL. Been Thanks again Kbach!

 

[jetboatmatt]

Well the relay did the trick! Thanks guys! What a difference!!

 

[spectracular]

Great!!!

 

[Big B Hova]

Finally got to wiring my relay. Works like new now! Thanks guys!

[video=youtube_https;N9W7eJg804k]https://youtu.be/N9W7eJg804k[/video]

 

[28Eliminator]

I need to do this.

 

[Big B Hova]

I need to do this.

Took me about 20 minutes labor and fifty bucks in parts

 

[Bigbore500r]

Just got my Amazon relay....man works sweet now! Here's the setup -

 

[CobraDave]

So what were the symptoms that made you wanna add a relay?

Does it basically make it stronger and faster?

My problem is everytime I need to open the hatch, it seems to stick in the down position. I have to go up, down, up, down. Then it finally breaks free and goes up. I think it sticks a little to the hideaway Bimini cover

 

[gqchris]

So what were the symptoms that made you wanna add a relay?

Does it basically make it stronger and faster?

My problem is everytime I need to open the hatch, it seems to stick in the down position. I have to go up, down, up, down. Then it finally breaks free and goes up. I think it sticks a little to the hideaway Bimini cover

Try the relay, I would estimate 80% of us needed one. Mine used to do the same, I thought it was rusted or something. Nope, just needed the juice!

Chris

 

[Bigbore500r]

So what were the symptoms that made you wanna add a relay?

Does it basically make it stronger and faster?

My problem is everytime I need to open the hatch, it seems to stick in the down position. I have to go up, down, up, down. Then it finally breaks free and goes up. I think it sticks a little to the hideaway Bimini cover

Same as u describe. Sticks down, have to hit the switch up and down 2-3 times to get it to pop free. Then it takes forever to raise and lower.

Even if u think it's fine....you'll be amazed how it works with that $20 relay. 30 minute install

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Mine is just slightly slower than yours post relay install. I saw an Ultra last weekend with the Dana powered hinges. The hatch was fast enough to throw people off. That would be fun.

 

[Big B Hova]

Think about your amps on your boat, they need a 4-8 guage wire because 12V is so sensitive to power drops, When the bass hits, the power drops. Thicker guage wires help minimize the drop. Now look at your hatch ram (12v screw jack actuator) This thing takes juice to lift / lower a heavy ass hatch. Most boats, especially older boats have small 14 guage wires, that run from the hatch switch all the way to the back of the boat. When you hit that button, it is sucking power off of your dash, which is a shit load of daisy chained power sources off of a 10 or 12 guage wire. All that length of wire + load + inadequate grounds = Slow ass ram hatch, and in my case... shuts off my stereo which ends the party.

Try jumping a power source and ground source straight to your ram, and see how fast it opens. I would think any boat should have some type of relay, just to keep all that voltage drop to a minimum.

Just my .02 pennies.

 

[CobraDave]

Just got my Amazon relay....man works sweet now! Here's the setup -

View attachment 479890

Shit I probably do need one. Now is this pick with a two ram set up or do I need two relays?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Shit I probably do need one. Now is this pick with a two ram set up or do I need two relays?

Check the relay output, but you could likely run the power wire for both rams from a single relay. The Amazon link relay is rated for 75 amps, one of those will work fine for two rams.

 

[Big B Hova]

Yes this amazon relay will work for two rams. The member I bought the relay from ordered two thinking he needed on for each relay.

 

[jetboatmatt]

Shit I probably do need one. Now is this pick with a two ram set up or do I need two relays?

You need the relay! My did the whole sticking thing for years! I replaced the switch and that didn't do anything. I just got the relay done and it works like a champ! Plus the stereo stays on now!!
Lifts every time and my gauges don't move at all! Before they would show a huge draw.
Good luck!