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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are there no prices listed on the website?
We are a manufacturer and sell our products to lift manufacturers & contractors as part of our authorized dealer network. The items listed on the website are to show what we have to offer and for informational purposes only. We do sell to a couple of online retailers. Contact us to find a local or online retailer.
FAQ1
I have come into possession of a boat lift with your name on it. How much weight can I lift?
We get this question multiple times a day in different forms. Unfortunately, we have no way of telling anyone how much weight capacity their lift has. That is because we only manufacture part of the equation. There are too many variables beyond our product that go into calculating the maximum safe lifting capacity of a lift. It would be like calling an automotive transmission manufacturer to ask how much towing capacity a truck has.
Your best option is to look at the documentation provided with the lift. If you do not have access to that, your next best option is to contact the lift manufacturer and see if they can provide. If you do not know the lift manufacturer, you will need to consult with a local marine contractor to try to caculate the weight capacity.
FAQ2
Does your 4000 Flat Plate mean it will lift 4,000 lbs?
Our model numbers refer ONLY to the amount of torque that the gear can handle in inch-pounds (see Calulating Torque on our Support Page). It is not a direct relation to weight capacity. We are not told how a particular hoist will be rigged and installed, so we have no possible way of putting a weight rating on our part of the lift. It heavily depends on:
1. The diameter of the surface winding the cable up
2. How the cables get rigged for mechanical advantage (snatch blocks/block & tackle)
These two variables can GREATLY affect how much torque is being applied to our gears and subsequently how much weight the lift will handle.
FAQ3
Can I make my hoist faster?
Short answer - Some of our models have the ability to be sped up. However this is not recommended
Speed and weight capacity (torque) on a boat lift are an inverse relationship. That means that you can not increase one without decreasing the other by the same amount. That means that anything you do to INCREASE the speed of the lift will increase the amount of torque being applied to our gear which will DECREASE weight capacity of the lift. The inverse of this is also true; you can get more capacity by rigging the lift to be slower.
The models that we provide that can be speed adjusted are our Flat Plate, PWC Hoist, and EBD system (basically anything that uses a belt). You should not change any components without first consulting the lift manufacturer. Most of the time, people buy lifts that are just big enough to lift their particular sized boat. This means that most of the time, there is no room for adjustment to make the lift quicker.
FAQ4
I think I have a bad motor - how can I tell?
Over the phone or email, it would be next to impossible for us to determine if you have bad motor, or switch, or GFCI, etc. You should consult with a licensed electrician to pinpoint your issue. The most common reason for a motor to fail in our industry is low-voltage caused by using too small gauge of wire in the circuit powering the motor. Also, installation errors in wiring or failure to remove weep hole plugs are other common reasons for motor failure.
Low Voltage
It seems that most electricians try to run the bare minimum sized wire during installation. Our motors have large power requirments, some drawing over 20 amps each depending on power supply voltage and the motor being used. If a motor is under-powered, it will run hot and burn the windings up. How long it takes for this to cause a motor to fail totally will depend on how large of a voltage drop there is. If the drop is substantial, the motor will smoke and be scrap in a matter of seconds or minutes.
Wiring Errors
Another common reason for motor failure is improper connections being made. Especially, if the motor is being used on a 240V power supply and the motor connections are made for a 120V power supply. This will cause the motor to smoke and cause catastrophic damage that cannot be fixed in just seconds.
Weep Hole Plugs
We sell many motor models. Most of them have small rubber plugs that must be removed at the lowest point on the motor during installation. This is to allow condensation to drain by gravity out of the lowest point. Condensation occurs on any motor from being powered on and off. The heat generated from running then cools and creates condensate. Failure to remove these plugs will cause water to build up inside the motor and cause it to prematurely fail.
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