Anyone ever install a lIft motor?

[spitz31]

Anyone ever install a lift motor on their boat lift? How difficult is it to do, and how much money am I looking at spending? This would be for 20ft pontoon. Do you need to run electricity out on the dock or do they make any powered off a battery?

[Tom7227]

I put one on, can't remember the cost, but it works off 12 volt and is worth the effort. I bring the motor in after I use it cause I think it would disappear. Only issue is the drag on the battery. No 110 at my dock so it's carry it home.

[Bigeye30"]

I've put two of them on, one for a pontoon and one for a boat. Not overly difficult, each unit is going to be a little different as to instructions on mounting etc, so I would say follow those. Can't recall the cost as it was a few years ago.

As far as power, you should be able to get a 12v model if you don't have power to the dock. I would go with whoever the manufactur of the lift is and call or look online at their site for accessories, We have power out to the dock so we use that instead of the 12v model. The one thing that might work is to add a solar charger down on the dock so that the battery maintains a better charge. If getting power to your dock is possible I'd look into that, we use it all the time for vacumns, on board chargers, lights at night etc. It's definately nice to have. I wouldn't recommend any do it yourself wiring though for that, electricity and water are not a good place to hone the electrical skills. Good luck, you'll enjoy not having to hand crank the lift anymore

[Nutty Fisherman]

If I remember right they can run around $500.00. I would recommend not getting a direct drive lift motor. If the power goes out or the motor burns up you won't be able to use the lift. Get the either a 12 volt or 110 volt lift motor that turns your hand crank wheel. That way if you lose power you can still get it on and off by hand. Just did some checking and the power wheel drive can run $625.00 and up.

[Bad Moon]

I put an electric motor assembly on that runs against the big hand wheel on the lift. It was easy to install, I dont remember the cost but it is worth it. I ran power to the dock. On my vertical lift it is 96 revolutions (I counted)of the hand wheel to raise the boat up all the way so automation is a good thing in this case. It will not work if the hand wheel is wet, no friction. Make sure the switch is easy to reach from the boat if you land by yourself. The motor is easy to remove and store away when you are gone too.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I also installed a motorized lift add on. About $500.00 for the 110v.

Easy to install if you get the one that turns the hand wheel.

As mentioned, if you can it really pays to run 110v to the dock.

Cliff

[spitz31]

Looks like the battery power is the way to go. Do most folks have a dedicated battery or share it with the boat? Anyone ever hear of or try using solar power out there to keep the battery charged?

[fishorgolf]

I have one that rides against the cranking wheel and I just plug it into the boat battery (quick little clip in) and it works great. I think I paid $250/$300 dollars.

I have a 5000# lift.

[Tom7227]

 Originally Posted By: spitz31

Looks like the battery power is the way to go. Do most folks have a dedicated battery or share it with the boat? Anyone ever hear of or try using solar power out there to keep the battery charged?

I've been trying to figure out how big of a panel would be needed. I bought one of the little $20 ones and it wouldn't lite a match.

[Dave]

Father-in-law and I mounted an AC powered one, that turns the wheel crank. Very easy to assemble. Pull the motor away and you can still use the wheel crank manually during a power outage. $500 and I ran AC out to it under the dock. Works great.