Firstmate Generation II Lift Controller User Guide

Generation II Lift Controller
User Guide
Pro Model – Generation III

First Things First

➢ If your Firstmate® PRO remote has been packaged with a lift purchase, your Firstmate® may not be programmed. Please contact the factory if the “Lift Monitor” button is not flashing.
➢ MOST IMPORTANT: If the “Lift Monitor” button IS NOT flashing, it is not detecting your lift. Be sure the last button pushed is the “UP” button. This should activate the “Lift Monitor”
User’s Guide

• Read all warnings prior to programming or using your Firstmate® lift controller.
• Read this entire manual before programming your unit.
• Know which hoses control the Port, Starboard & Center tanks on your lift.

Warning

No user-serviceable parts are located inside your Firstmate® unit. Installation and service should be performed by a qualified electrician only.
Only use a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupt) outlet for powering your Firstmate® controller or the Auxiliary module.
To avoid the risk of electric shock, always disconnect power to your dock before installing the Firstmate or any of its components.
Use only cordless tools for installation.
Failure to follow these instructions may result in injury or death.
Always tie your boat up to your dock, Firstmate®, Inc assumes no liability for damages resulting from the user’s failure to securely restrain their watercraft.
Verify that the boat’s plugs have not been removed before operating the First m ate®.
Never use your remote control without being present at the lift. If your lift is not raising or lowering in a level position, stop the lift and correct the problem.
Stay clear of the lift while it is in operation.
Caution must be used when storing your vessel in the board position as rough water conditions may lift the boat off the lift.
Power requirements: 20 Amp per blower motor.

Programming Functions

When done programming:
Put the system back in Auto Mode (see Step 1 above).

Using the Key fob:

Note that the Key fob is not capable of programming any functions. All settings are programmed using the switches on the control module.
To prevent the accidental activation of a button on the key fob, you must press and hold down the buttons for approximately one second for the Firstmate®   to accept the command.
The key fob buttons correspond to the following functions:
UP = UP switch
BD = BOARD switch
DN = DOWN switch
Both “UP” and “DN” = AUXILIARY LIGHTS On/Off if optionally equipped.

Using your Firstmate®

1. Read all warnings prior to operating your FIRSTMATE®.

2. Always secure your boat to your dock when not in use, Firstmate, Inc assumes no liability for resulting damage.

3. Anytime the lift is in operation; the strobe light will: 1) Always turn on when activated with the key fob; or 2) turn on unless programmed not to (See 2.0 (Step 3) on Programming).

4. While the Firstmate® is in operation you can stop the lift by pressing any other key on the key fob or by pressing the STOP switch on the controller.

5. Pressing the UP & DOWN buttons will toggle the optional light module on/off.

6. While the FIRSTMATE® is trying to raise your lift to either the BOARD or UP position but does not detect movement of the lift within thirty (30) minutes, the blowers will turn off and the display will read “JA” (Jammed lift). This prevents the blowers from running for extended periods of time in the event of a catastrophic leak.

7. While the FIRSTMATE® is trying to lower the lift to the BOARD or DOWN position but does not detect movement of the lift within thirty (30) minutes, the valves will be closed and the display will read “JA” (Jammed lift).

8. If the FIRSTMATE® detects a leak condition, it will automatically raise the lift. The display will alternately read “AU and “01”. The number will increase each time air is added to your lift. To reset the Alarm indication, press the STOP switch.
   Note: The leak detection is operable only when the lift has been raised to the up position and the UP switch is the last switch used. The lift monitor LED (lower left corner) will flash when the Firstmate® controller is in the lift monitoring mode.

9. Auto Mode (Auto light is lit):
   • To switch from the auto mode of operation (level sensor active) to the manual mode, press and hold the Auto/Manual key (Manual light will come on).
   • After the lift reaches the desired level, it will shut off automatically.
   • The key fob is also in auto mode.
   • “Lift Monitor” light (lower left) will blink (Firstmate is now watching the lift) (Not blinking? Not watching!)

10. Manual Mode (Manual light is lit):
    • To switch from the auto mode to the manual mode (level sensor is off), press and hold the Auto/Manual key (Manual light will come on).
    • When in manual mode, the unit will stay active until the STOP switch is pressed; or the UP or DN button on the key fob is pushed (strobe light will turn off).
    • The key fob is also in the manual mode (press the UP or DN button on the fob to activate the lift & another button to stop it)

Using Auxiliary Lighting Module: Your Generation III Pro Remote (s/n: 30242 or after) comes standard with an auxiliary lighting feature.

Use Auxiliary Lighting Module:

1. Remove the outer enclosure to expose the Female cord plug. This will accommodate any rope or decorative lighting. Plug it in and use the key fob to operate the lighting.

2. Use Auxiliary Timer (up to 30 minutes): Turn lights on when docking with UP&DN buttons on the key fob. Auxiliary lights will turn off automatically. Can be programmed for up to 30 minutes.
   .2.1 To program lights: Program; Enter (will get SE); arrow to “AU”; Enter; arrow forward or back to set a timer (each digit is one minute); Enter to save.

3. Use Key Fob for dock lights. It is possible to have your auxiliary module turn your dock lights on and off with your key fob. Consult an electrician for wiring.

What are the handles for? The handles are to be used in the event of a power outage. You can manually move the handles to the “UP” position to manually turn on the unit or “DOWN” to get the boat off the lift. ** TURN ALL HANDLES AT THE SAME TIME.

Using the Manual Override handles:

7.1 The manual override handles may be used to raise or lower the lift. Turn to the desired function.
Caution: Do not control the valves independent of one another in opposite functions (one valve up, other valves down) as you may roll the lift.

Programming Tips:

1. When programming the “EA” (Extra Air), start with 30 seconds (#3 on display – factory setting), and then check the lift height. Add extra air as required to achieve the desired lift height.
2. To change the Firstmate® from the auto mode to the manual mode (and vice versa), press the Auto/Manual switch to toggle between Auto & Manual (see 5.9 & 5.10 for clarification).
3. After launching your boat, press the board button. The lift will be raised to the up position with minimum air in the tanks and take less time to lower the lift when you return.

Lift Dynamics:
When your boat and lift combination is in a transition state (i.e. rapid movement between the UP and Board positions, or the BOARD and DOWN positions) it is not possible to stop the lift from continuing the upward/downward movement until it has reached a neutral buoyancy position.
The weight of your boat will affect the location of your UP and BOARD positions. A heavily laden boat with full gas tanks will stop at lower levels than the same boat with nearly empty tanks.

Troubleshooting

Firstmate not blowing itself back up:

1. Be sure the sensor is activated. The last button must be the “UP” button.
   Red LED “Lift Monitor” (lower left on the control panel) should be flashing.

2. Is the sensor hose attached from the lift to Firstmate?

3. Is the sensor tube (white tube on lift) out of water? May need to adjust up or down.

4. To test Lift Monitor: With the “Lift Monitor” light flashing, turn handle(s) at the same time to DOWN. Once the sensor tube gets down in the water before the boat is floating, Firstmate should activate auto blow up & shut itself off and read “AL01”. Press the Hold button to clear the alarm.
   Press the UP button to turn the “Lift Monitor” light back on.

Lift is down and nothing happens when the “UP” button is pushed:
CAUSE:
Firstmate® was turned off by the operator prior to completing the cycle & thinks it is still in the “UP” position.
Hit BOARD or DOWN button on the remote or control box & let the Firstmate® cycle through & shut itself off. Then hit the UP button (the blower should turn on)
or
CAUSE:
There may be water in the sensor hose.

1. Turn the handles inside the blower box to “UP” (if two handles TURN AT THE SAME TIME). Get the lift back in the UP position. Turn the Handles to HOLD or press the STOP button on the control box.
2. Remove the blower box cover, and disconnect the sensor tube from under the control box.
   Blow air through sensor tubing to remove water. Send the lift back down. If the same thing happens, there is probably a leak in the sensor housing and will need to be replaced.

The lift will not go down (no air coming from the back of Firstmate® ):

1. The lift may have an airlock.

2. Turn the override handle (with red pointer) to “UP” until lift tanks bubble. Then turn back to “HOLD”
   IF TWO HANDLES – BE SURE AND TURN AT THE SAME TIME.
   This will blow the air from the hoses back into the lift tanks.

3. Hit “DOWN” on the control box (inside lid), hit “DOWN” on the key fob, or turn handle(s) to “DOWN”. Should now hear air from the back of Firstmate.

The blower will not shut off or seems to run way too long:

1. Re-adjust the “Extra Air” setting (see 2.0 Programming diagram). The lift may have been programmed without a boat on the lift.
2. Is Firstmate® in Auto or Manual Mode? See 5.9 or 5.10 above.

No range – remote will only work at very close range:

1. Replace battery. Even if the light is still showing, the range is affected when the battery gets low.
2. Be sure to check both key fobs. On key fob: does a light come on? If not, the key fob may have water damage or maybe the battery. Remove screw from the back of fob & replace with A23 battery (see parts description below).
3. Check if the receiver is mounted to dock upright
4. Is there an antenna attached to the receiver? If so, push the antenna & cable into the receiver to make sure there is a tight connection.
5. Open key fob case to see if water has gotten on electronics (will show rust) If rust is showing, contact customer service to mail it back to the factory.

Firstmate® comes on by itself & lift is up:

1. One of two things: Mother Nature or electrical current.
   Mother Nature: Unplug the cable (running up dock post) to the receiver & check to see if contacts are clean (no green from mildew or rust from moisture). Plug back in.
   Electrical: Voltage to dock may be low or electric surge.
   If the problem persists, call for service.

Parts Description:

FIRST MATE® OPTIONS:
Single Valve – upgradable to Dual, Three & Four-Valve
Standard remote control – upgradable to PRO remote
Key Fobs – Additional key fobs are available
Antenna – Expanded Range
Strobe – External dock post strobe mounts (above or to the end of the dock)
Auxiliary Lighting – turn on decorative, slip or dock lights from your key fob
Solar
See web site or call for pricing

Warranty Statement:

Thank you for purchasing your Firstmate® system. Your system is covered by a two-year Parts and Labor warranty as follows:
The warranty period starts on the date of the sale. In the case of equipment installed by an authorized commercial contractor, the warranty begins on the date of site acceptance.
This warranty is provided for the sole benefit of the original consumer and is not transferable.
This warranty is applicable for products purchased and used in the fifty states of the USA and the District of Columbia only. It is not applicable in the possessions or territories of the USA or in any other country.
This is the only express warranty, that Firstmate®, Inc. makes in connection with the Firstmate system, and its accessories.
Any implied warranty applicable to this product including the warranty of merchantability is limited to the duration of the express warranty.
Firstmate, Inc. excludes and shall not be liable in any event for incidental or consequential damages. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty may last. Therefore, these limitations and exclusions may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights, which vary, from state to state. In the event any of the provisions of this warranty are bound by statute or by applicable administrative or judicial entities to be unenforceable, all remaining provisions shall remain in full force.
Owner’s Responsibilities:**

1. Please read the Owner’s Manual completely. The information provided in the operation of the manual cover, safety precautions, and, where applicable, routine maintenance.
2. Should warranty service be required you will need to be able to produce reasonable proof of purchase. Please save your sales receipt or another similar document. In the case of contractor-installed equipment, a photocopy of the site acceptance document would be considered acceptable.
3. Notify Firstmate, Inc. of any alleged defect promptly upon discovery.
4. Return the product to an authorized dealer, service center, or to Firstmate, Inc. All shipments must be PREPAID. No Collect shipments will be accepted. Products repaired under warranty by Firstmate, Inc. or a designated service center will be returned to the sender PREPAID.
5. Product returned for service (in or out of warranty) MUST have a Return Authorization that may be obtained from Firstmate, Inc.
6. At Firstmate, Inc.’s sole discretion, warranted materials may be repaired or replaced.

Exclusions:

1. Products sold by retailers or contractors NOT authorized by Firstmate, Inc., and products whose trademark, name, or identification numbers have been altered or removed are not covered by this warranty.
2. Product not specifically marketed for installation in areas exposed to the elements (sun, wind, rain, etc.) is not covered for defects that are attributable to this type of installation.
3. Product failures are the result of abnormal strain, negligence, misuse, improper installation or operation, or failure to follow instructions contained in the owner’s manual. Abuse, modification, or accidental damage is not covered by this warranty, nor is damage resulting from floods, lighting, earthquakes, hail, etc.
4. RFI/EMI (interference/noise) caused by improper grounding or the improper use of either certified or uncertified equipment is not covered by this warranty.
5. The product that has been, or has attempted to have been, repaired by anyone other than Firstmate®, Inc. Or a party authorized by Firstmate, Inc.
6. This warranty only applies to the Firstmate product. Firstmate®, Inc. is not responsible for the loss, cost, or expense of any other person or item that is injured or damaged.

The General Ground Fault Interrupter (GFCI) comes standard on our product for liability purposes. It is not an integral part of the Firstmate system. Therefore, the GFCI only carries a 60-day warranty.**

Firstmate, Inc.
636-239-9707
firstmatecontrols.com

References

• Boat Lift Remote Control | Firstmate Controls Remote Boat Lift Control

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