Underwater lights/bathing platform problems

[ernie_madoff]

Recently moved boat down to Turkey which is lovely but was having some issues with the Hi/Lo bathing platform which took the edge off my first week down there.
Basically, would lower platform to launch tender then platform would get stuck in down position. First time it happened, group of technicians (4 to be precise) arrived the following morning on a rib to fix it for me. Went to demonstrate how it wasnt coming back up and low and behold the platform worked fine and returned to up position. Slightly embarrassing to say the least. Technicians departed probably thinking I was a complete idiot!
Anyway, happened several more times during week. MYAG rode to my rescue next time (thanks again M!) and one of his crew fiddled with wires down below which seemed to get it to work but when I tried to replicate what I thought he did I couldnt get it to work. However, each time it happened, would wait until morning and hey presto! platform would come back up.
Now, before moving boat to Turkey I had 4 Lumishore underwater lights fitted. The wiring for them passes fairly close to where the proximity sensor for the platform is located. I am wondering if the wires our interfering with the sensor so that the sensor thinks the platform is up hence it wont allow the platform to be raised. Then overnight as my boat batteries are losing their charge, somehow the voltage on the light wires drops and the sensor then says the platform is down hence I can raise it. The lights arent on but there seems to be standby power to light control boxes as they have red lights on them. What I didnt do is cut power to lights fully from fuse box in engine room to see if that solved problem.
Just seems very strange that platform will work again in the morning. Also the platform would keep wanting to go lower even when it was right down making a horrible screeching noise.
Trying to figure out in my head what is going on as will be down again in August and will have kids with me this time so am dreading going through all this again. Any thoughts from the technically minded amongst you would be very much appreciated.
Maybe lights have nothing to do with it and I have a different problem to deal with. The photo shows the cabling in black casing passing near sensor. Thx.

 

[Hurricane]

My experience with problems of this nature is that the end solution has absolutely nothing to do with the thing you are looking at.

For example - is it just a matter of the sensors only work in daylight or maybe something gets wet and dries out overnight.

My advice is keep an open mind when trying to find faults like this.

In the meantime, I would look at an alternative method of raising the platform so as not to spoil your holidays - can you "pump it up" manually for example.

 

[ernie_madoff]

Going to take a couple of new sensors and have wiring diagrams off sunseeker now so will hopefully get to bottom of it. On page 20 of Nigel Calders book 'Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual'. Only another 780 to go and these problems should be a breeze to sort out!!

 

[Nick_H]

Could be that when the platform reaches its lowest point the hydraulic pump works harder and triggers a thermal cut out? After a while it cools down and the pump works again. Just an idea?

 

[ernie_madoff]

The platform works with a motor that turns a screw mechanism to raise and lower, no hydraulics. Motor still has power as still trys to lower platform even when at the bottom.

 

[Portofino]

Sounds like faulty switch and or solenoid .
Motor turns wrong way it will be DC , current is not reversing to bring it up.
There must be a control box somewhere ,have a look inside ,
Perhaps try SS technical dept either in Poole or locally
Marplin /Halfords will sell em for a few £ .
Swap a few around to confirm diagnosis or a least " pull" one to stop it trying to go down further .

 

[VicS]

Also the platform would keep wanting to go lower even when it was right down making a horrible screeching noise.

Motor still has power as still trys to lower platform even when at the bottom.

This may be the clue to what is causing the problem.

What ever should cut the motor and prevent it from continuing to drive down when the platform is fully lowered is not functioning.

It may simply be driving the platform down to its limit where it mechanically jams.

Can you manually stop the platform before it reaches the bottom limit to test the theory.

 

[EME]

Ernie Madoff Sorry you have a problem, but I'm sure that it has nothing to do with your lights. Sensor switches are either magnetic or mechanical but either way there is nothing in Lumishore's lights that can cause these to fail.

Reading between the lines you have Thru-Hull colour change lights? You are absolutely right -- if you switch the controller off the drivers are in 'standby' mode with consumption far less than 0.1 watt and too little to cause 'interference'. You will have to cut power at switch/main breaker to reduce to zero, and we always recommend you do when not in use.

If there is any more that we can do please PM and we will do what we can to explain / help.

FWIW I would suspect electrical/mechanical malfunction. I THINK ( and others can confirm?) that S-Seeker Hi-Los do cut out at top and bottom ?? As suggested above the easy way to confirm is to partially lower and test on a couple of occasions.

Good Luck

 

[jfm]

Agree the others. If this is the non hydraulic leadscrew type s/seeker platform you will need to get to understnad it becuase this sort of thing will happen often. I would avoid motoring it all the way down as VicS says.

I don't think the lumishore cabling near the proximity switch is the reason

Would be good to have more info though:
1. when jammed down and you try to operate motor, is any current drawn?
2. Does a relay click when it is jammed? (could be a jammed/bad relay)
3. Does same relay click when it is working the next morning?

If you are keeping the boat it would be worthwhile considering getting the hydraulic mechanism from H+B at next refit. The same that Bart W bought and OEM on many boats incl mine. Seems never to give any problems

 

[ernie_madoff]

When jammed down keeps wanting to go down so definitely drawing current. Been speaking to sunseeker and that sensor in picture is the lower one which stops it. Maybe me fiddling with it has caused the problem with it wanting to go down so maybe not the original problem.
Engines would start with the platform down which suggests sensors saying platform is up as I should not be able to start them. I know where upper sensor is now so can have fiddle next time I'm on boat.
Looking at wiring diagram, I guess if I reverse the wires on the solenoid it should reverse the direction of the motor to get platform up if up button not working.
This platform has been the bane of my life since I have had the boat. Not much fun being in a hot engine room in Turkey trying to sort it. Burnt my shoulder on engine leading to a near 'incredible hulk' moment. Got stuck in Studland bay a couple of years ago on a Sunday evening with boat full of guests and kids when it got stuck down because some wiring burnt out. Will be an expert on them by the time this is all sorted!