Swim Platform Hydraulic and Controls Expert.

View attachment 125783 View attachment 125784

Frank, I have a smaller boat (2017 SeaRay 250 SLX). This model has an option for a hydraulic swim platform that I didn't upgrade/buy when I bought the boat. I thought this would be something easy to "buy a kit" and install myself or by a tech after, but no luck. Do you have any recommendations on where to find a kit (parts) or who could install other than the names you've provided for larger boats? Attached is a pic of what it 'would' look like and what I'm looking for.....it's installed under the swim platform and would extend out for the step. Thanks!View attachment 125783
I am going to ask around and see what I can come up with for you. It may take me a week or so to get a reply. Thanks, Frank
 
Thanks Frank, I appreciate you taking the time.
 
Great thread!

My swim platform won't go down. Has power and wants to go down but feels like there is a physical lock stopping it. Or something isn't releasing to let it go down.
 
Great thread!

My swim platform won't go down. Has power and wants to go down but feels like there is a physical lock stopping it. Or something isn't releasing to let it go down.
Might be your house batteries. Check the voltage at the motor on the hydraulic unit while pushing the button to move the lift. If your voltage is less than around 11 V, the solenoid valve armature cannot override the spring force so they can shift. This is a common question. If you need your lift to still move at that moment, push in and turn to the left the RED knurled knob on the up or down valve and the lift will operate. Just remember to push it back in and turned to the right when you are done or if you want to go the other way. Let me know how it goes. Thanks
 
Welcome aboard! I have many questions but I’ll start with this. I’ve often questioned the position of our locking mechanism(not sure of the technical name). It’s a GHS lift. Should I be looking to replace these? They don’t seem to be marking contact. I don’t see much if any play in the platform in the locked position. But this looks questionable to me.
View attachment 112080 View attachment 112081
Ended up replacing the locking cams. Wow what a different. Operates much smoother now and I think it allows the platform to move each leg more in sync as they both release at the same time.
platform.png
 
Very nice. Sometimes I get them in for rebuild. They are single acting with pressure to unlock (extend) and spring return. If they start to get crap inside of the spring end they get sluggish and the hook can get bent out of shape. Nicely done on your part. Thanks for the update,Frank
 
I am going to ask around and see what I can come up with for you. It may take me a week or so to get a reply. Thanks, Frank
I found a really nice step system for you. I will be sending you
I am going to ask around and see what I can come up with for you. It may take me a week or so to get a reply. Thanks, Frank
Well I found something very nice that I think you will like. It is called a "Sea Step" and it is manufactured right here in Merritt Island, FL by Sealift. Your contact is Stephen Johns. His cell phone number is (321) 638-0301. Nice guy. I have also attached a photograph of a 36" Sea Step that is hydraulically powered. They offer powered or manual and 16" or 36". Hope this helps, Frank
Sealift Sea Step 16 or 36 inches wide.jpg
 
Frank, thank you very much for the recommendation. FYI, SeaRay responded to me saying their original factory step couldn't be installed after sale since it requires a different mold/lamination process during boat build. But I'll reach out to Stephen since maybe a 16'' manual shouldn't be too much weight for an install. Thanks again!
 
Your quite welcome. I know he keeps the exhaust pipes heights in mind on all of his product applications. Hydrolocks are bad news. Have a great weekend, Frank
 
Boat is out of the water, tried everything possible and still can not get the swim platform to go down. It gets adequate power, bled the lines, switched the lines and no matter what it won't go down.

Thinking the cylinders are shot? Did they extend too far, etc?

Might pull the two and have them rebuilt at a local hydraulic cylinder repair place.

Am I missing something here?
 
Not sure if these help.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_9237.PNG
    IMG_9237.PNG
    410.7 KB · Views: 162
  • IMG_9236.PNG
    IMG_9236.PNG
    442.7 KB · Views: 162
  • IMG_9235.PNG
    IMG_9235.PNG
    445.6 KB · Views: 159
Boat is out of the water, tried everything possible and still can not get the swim platform to go down. It gets adequate power, bled the lines, switched the lines and no matter what it won't go down.

Thinking the cylinders are shot? Did they extend too far, etc?

Might pull the two and have them rebuilt at a local hydraulic cylinder repair place.

Am I missing something here?
Weird that they both wouldn't move. What exactly does it do when you try to lower it? When mine tops our bottoms out it makes a weird sound as if it can't go anymore. Is it making that sound when you say it "sounds like it wants to go down"? Have you checked that the up down electro magnet type cables are firmly on the pump solenoid. Here is the best pic i could get of mine. One slid down and mine would hesitate or get suck in a position.
ghs solenoid.jpg
 
Boat is out of the water, tried everything possible and still can not get the swim platform to go down. It gets adequate power, bled the lines, switched the lines and no matter what it won't go down.

Thinking the cylinders are shot? Did they extend too far, etc?

Might pull the two and have them rebuilt at a local hydraulic cylinder repair place.

Am I missing something here?
I would not recommend having the cylinders rebuilt by a local hydraulic repair shop. These cylinders use special seals and will not work well with just any type of seal. The cylinders themselves are very difficult to take apart without damaging them. We have rebuilt many of these cylinders after other hydraulic shops have damaged things. We also keep all of the OE seals in stock. We charge the price of one new cylinder for the rebuild of two providing they are not too damaged to be rebuilt. Now with all that being said, let's try this test first. Locate the two solenoid valves for Up and Down. Push the RED knobs in and turn them to the left (CCW). The knobs will pop up but they won't pop out. Now Push the knobs in and turn them to the right (CW). They should stay in. Now try the lift. If it does not work then Push the RED knob in and turn it to the left (CCW) on the valve marked down only. Try to run the lift again. If the lift goes down, your house batteries are too low to operate the internals of the valves. Charge them and then load test them. Replace them if necessary. Let me know how it goes. Hydraulicpro
 
Last edited:
I would not recommend having the cylinders rebuilt by a local hydraulic repair shop. These cylinders use special seals and will not work well with just any type of seal. The cylinders themselves are very difficult to take apart without damaging them. We have rebuilt many of these c

Pretty sure the guy working on the boat called you over the weekend. His name is Damon. If so he had nothing but incredible things to say about you.
 
Did you guys run the test to determine if the house batteries are up to the job? That will tell us a lot. Please let me know. Thanks, Hydraulicpro, Frank
 
Did you guys run the test to determine if the house batteries are up to the job? That will tell us a lot. Please let me know. Thanks, Hydraulicpro, Frank

Did you talk to the guy who was a working on it? His name is Damon, pretty he called you.
 
Weird that they both wouldn't move. What exactly does it do when you try to lower it? When mine tops our bottoms out it makes a weird sound as if it can't go anymore. Is it making that sound when you say it "sounds like it wants to go down"? Have you checked that the up down electro magnet type cables are firmly on the pump solenoid. Here is the best pic i could get of mine. One slid down and mine would hesitate or get suck in a position.
View attachment 126846
NICE reference picture of the Solenoid Valve Manual overrides! They can come in real handy when having a problem and also with trouble shooting. Just a word of EXTREME caution. The 5/8" hex nut that holds the coil onto the valve that goes around the RED knurled knobs, Never Never EVER EVER tighten them more than as tight as you can with your fingers! If you do then the valve armature tube will stretch and get longer. When it gets longer is also get narrower. That will cause the insides not to slide back and forth anymore. There is no fix but to replace the valve cartridge. The only good thing is that they are inexpensive, I have them in stock and they are easy to change out. Something I get asked quite lot is what the RED knurled knobs do. They are a means of manually shifting the position of the UP and DOWN valve to use the handpump. Push the UP valve knob in and turn it to the left (CCW) and it will pop up. Then handpump away and the lift will come up. Make sure to push it back down and turn it to the right (CW) when your done or your lift will act weird. Both valves cannot be open at the same time for the lift to work and that includes using the manual overrides. Locking them in is for normal electrical operation. BTW, you have quite an old unit. I would love to see a good picture of it for my files. Thanks, Hydraulicpro-Frank
 
Can you Damon give me a call. I have another test that can be run but, I must talk Damon through it before he tries it. I would like to have 3 people doing it. One outside with a walkie talkie and two inside to control one valve each. Please have him contact me. Thanks. (727) 781-1924 office. Alway leave a message. He can text me too at (727)729-1256.
 
Not great news but hopefully this is the solution. In this for about $1500 in diagnostic work and trying everything possible for a full day. Ordering something new from Frank in the neighborhood of $5000 and lets hope that fixes everything. Then comes the labor bill for install, etc.

It's my own fault. I was impatient and didn't insist the swim platform be repaired before closing, etc.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,942
Messages
1,422,701
Members
60,927
Latest member
Jaguar65
Back
Top