ER Hatch no longer works

[MikeBravo]

My ER hatch has has stopped working. The breaker would trip usually when putting it up all the way. I would reset it and it would work again. Then it started to trip when I opened or closed the hatch with the bilge blowers on. I took it to have a transducer replaced and the hatch would only open about an inch then trip the breaker. The breaker is in the ER(I would love to meet the engineer who came up with this design). Now the breaker stays tripped and the hatch won't budge. Pulled the pins to the actuators(another engineering marvel) and two guys with a hydraulic jack were able to open it about 18" to get access. We left the hydrailic jack in place to keep access. Any ideas on what needs to be done? Prefer not to take it to MM and pay premium boat dollars if possible. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ezsteps]

Not sure if this is correct or not, but I have heard others say that a breaker can get weak/wore out and it will cause it to trip. Maybe with it tripping quite frequently lately it is just a bad breaker. Hope this helps

 

[Lazy Daze]

-- Dirty wires (whether inside the vinyl sheath or the connections) can cause an increase in amps in the circuit.

-- Breakers do "tire out", as EZ mentioned.

-- Could be an issue with the motor, itself.

Start easy... remove, inspect (Thoroughly! Not just a quick once-over), clean and replace all connections in the circuit. If that doesn't solve it, try swapping in a new breaker - or borrow a breaker from another curcuit... do not use a higher-amp breaker for this.

 

[Bt Doctur]

electric screw drive or electric hydraulic type plus there should be one unit on each side

 

[LTD.330]

My guess is the electric motor or screw drive mechanism in the linear actuator is corroded and it is drawing high current to overcome the corrosion to the point that the circuit breaker trips.

Last year I replaced my linear actuator because because of a similar problem.

 

[bbwhitejr]

The actuator has a zerk fitting on it and a couple of pumps of grease annually go a long way to making it last longer....

Bennett

 

[Bt Doctur]

I think the word "maintenance" has been removed from the owners/operators manual

 

[KevinC]

I think the word "maintenance" has been removed from the owners/operators manual

What is this word "maintenance" that you speak of?
Don't we all just get a new boat when we run out of gas?

-Kevin

 

[LTD.330]

The actuator has a zerk fitting on it and a couple of pumps of grease annually go a long way to making it last longer....

Bennett

Not all of them have zerks. There was no zerk or other maintenance fitting on either the old or new linear actuators I have in my boat.

 

[MikeBravo]

Okay I have found the problem. Even though I keep my accuators lubed the portside bit the dust and burned out the motor. Looking to see if I can get just the motor or whether the whole accuator needs replacing. Thanks to all for giving me your ideas.

 

[KevinC]

Okay I have found the problem. Even though I keep my accuators lubed the portside bit the dust and burned out the motor. Looking to see if I can get just the motor or whether the whole accuator needs replacing. Thanks to all for giving me your ideas.

If you find the motor let us know how it works out. I am sure this will be helpful for someone down the road. I am now making sure this is added to my regular maintenance/inspection notes.

-Kevin

 

[MikeBravo]

If you find the motor let us know how it works out. I am sure this will be helpful for someone down the road. I am now making sure this is added to my regular maintenance/inspection notes.

-Kevin

Will do. Taking it to a small motor repair shop today to see if he can rebuild it.

 

[John Leyden]

My ER hatch has has stopped working. The breaker would trip usually when putting it up all the way. I would reset it and it would work again. Then it started to trip when I opened or closed the hatch with the bilge blowers on. I took it to have a transducer replaced and the hatch would only open about an inch then trip the breaker. The breaker is in the ER(I would love to meet the engineer who came up with this design). Now the breaker stays tripped and the hatch won't budge. Pulled the pins to the actuators(another engineering marvel) and two guys with a hydraulic jack were able to open it about 18" to get access. We left the hydrailic jack in place to keep access. Any ideas on what needs to be done? Prefer not to take it to MM and pay premium boat dollars if possible. Thanks in advance.