This is a new lift for a 35' Gemini catamaran sailboat. Boat dry weight is 9.800 lbs, and the lift is rated for 16,000 lbs. The lift works fine up and down so long as the up lift begins with the boat in the water. Once the boat is out of the water, if you stop going up and then try to go up some more, the motors (there are two) both struggle and fail to lift the boat. Voltage suplied to the lift controller remains 240 volts, but is almost nothing outgoing from the lift controller while failing to raise the boat. Voltage is fine from lift controller (240 volts) when lowering. Using a clamp meter on a single wire leaving the lift controller shows 4amps when lowering, 6 amps when lifting successfully (from the water) and 22 amps when attempting to raise from a weighted position (out of the water). Each motor is 1hp. The lift controller is rated for up to a 1-1/2hp motor (each shaft). Would using a larger motor reduce the in-rush amperage and have an easier time overcoming the loaded friction of the direct drive setup?
The installer is working with the manufacturer to resolve, but I'm just trying to best understand what might be going on. The wiring from the house panel is 600' of stranded 4 gage copper to a 30amp breaker on the dock and then about 10' of 10 gage solid copper to the lift controller. Is it likely there is an electrical issue at fault (poor ground? etc...) or is the direct drive setup overtaxed and binding when trying to lift from a stop while loaded with the total boat weight?
The installer is working with the manufacturer to resolve, but I'm just trying to best understand what might be going on. The wiring from the house panel is 600' of stranded 4 gage copper to a 30amp breaker on the dock and then about 10' of 10 gage solid copper to the lift controller. Is it likely there is an electrical issue at fault (poor ground? etc...) or is the direct drive setup overtaxed and binding when trying to lift from a stop while loaded with the total boat weight?