What to do if your hatch motor quits?
 

What do you do if your hatch motor quits and the hatch is down? Mine hasn't yet, but I would like to have a plan if that happens. I have been looking at mine (2002 Lavey 29 Nu Era) and I cannot see a way to pull the pin if you needed to. I'm thinking of drilling a access hole in the top and putting a vent on it with screws. So it could be removed to get at the hatch pin. Any other ideas on what you guys are doing?

My lift cylinder is in a sliding sleeve and there is a recessed handle in the deck. The connection bolt in the sleeve has been removed so I can lift the hatch even if I lose power. It is very heavy and I had to do it once because my grandson lifted the hatch to show some friends the engine. I showed him where the switch was after that.

All the Laveys I've had have a 12 V male connector under the back seats and a cable provided that can be attached to a battery outside the engine compartment. This will power the hatch motor.

Exactly.

The plug will be located right next to the battery switch.
You can either hook a battery to it or a charger. If you use a charger, that plug is only to be used in order to get the hatch up, DO NOT use it to charger the batteries.

I think he may be asking if there is actually a problem with the motor itself.

Mine did not come with this connector/fitting but I ordered/made one that is great if the electric motor is working. BUT.... What if the motor actually QUITS!!! Like will not work even though you have electrical power. My motor doesn't sound good and I don't see any way to pull the quick pin that attaches the ram to the hatch. Unless I'm missing something???? I don't want to be out on the water and not be able to get into the engine compartment because the electric motor on the ram quit working.

Exactly,Correct!! has anyone figured out how to get into the engine compartment if the hatch motor QUITS. Due to something other than an electrical problem. I see this as a BIG PROBLEM! I'm thinking of drilling a 4" hole in the top/back of the middle headrest /engine intake vent and putting a round white soffit vent in it so if I need to I can pop the vent out and pull the quick pin and be able to lift the hatch by hand. Any other ideas on how to get to the pin. I don't see how.

Im looking for a pict- my big Lavey has what Quent is describing an external connector for power, but if the lift quits thats an entirely different problem.

My little Lavey has a pass through behind the seat you can reach inside and pull a pin on each side of the lift (its a very nice pin actually)

Ive had an electric hatch lifts for 20 years and never had the hatch lift quit.Im sure it happens though.



Uncle Dave

undo the rear hinge pins.......crawl in and do that voodoo we do so well

No way to get at the rear hinge pins. They are bolts, you can get a wrench on the bolt head from the out side but no way to get a wrench on the nylock nut on the inside.

Mine has a nice quick pin also. Just no way I can see to get at it if hatch motor quits from something other than lack of electricity. I did make a pigtail to plug into the outlet to supply power from the outside if the batteries go dead. I wouldn't worry but my hatch motor doesn't sound real healthy, first one I have had so not sure how they should sound exactly. But I would really like to have a plan for getting in before something happens.... like out on the lake. Think I'm going to drill a 4" hole in the top of the middle air scoop and put a 4" white vent in. Then I could pop the vent out and reach in and pull the pin if ever needed.

my rear hinge pins are exposed...........shrugs

if your hatch has a sunpad on it, should be easy to put a screw in or popout style deckplate near where your ram connects under the hatch, and a quick relese pin at the top of the ram. no tools or power needed to raise hatch. i have seen many boats set up that way, of course only looks good if boat has a sunpad, to cover the deckplate

If your motor is making a noise or sounds funny just change it. Don't drill a hole, don't spend to much time thinking about this problem that doesn't exist. I've had a few boats and none of them every had a issue with getting the hatch up. I think is a non-issue. The bigger worry should be how many hot chicks can you get in your new 29!!!!!!!

HaHa!!!!! I like that!!!! But I think My Wife doesn't. You are right 250 bucks I should just change it. I know how an electric motor sounds and this one sounds like it is straining to lift the hatch.