Firstmate Pro Grain Friendly Fish and Oats Installation Guide
- June 5, 2024
- Firstmate
Table of Contents
Firstmate Pro Grain Friendly Fish and Oats Installation Guide
Installation Instructions
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Before you begin:
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Read all warnings prior to attempting installation.
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Inspect the unit to verify receipt of all components.
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Tools required: cordless drill, an appropriate drill bit for the mounting hardware used, 5/16” nut driver, tubing cutter or hacksaw, and wrenches for mounting hardware used.
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Turn off power to the dock.
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Component checklist:
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Blower Cover with lid
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Frame assembly with mounting hardware.
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Receiver assembly w/ 14’ receiver cable and antennae.
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The key fob (2ea) supplied
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Pickup tube assembly with 20’ hose, 5” hose clamp (1 ea), 2” hose clamp (2 ea.).
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Owner’s manual (1 ea).
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Installing the Blower Box:
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Locate the desired position of the blower box. Check to see that the power cord will reach the nearest power outlet. The placement should be located with the blower box cover placed over the frame.
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Remove the blower box cover. Mark the 4 mounting holes and drill thru the dock decking. 3.2 Mount the frame to the dock using the supplied 5/16” x 2 1/2” bolts, washers, and nuts. Do
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Installing the Pickup Tube:
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Raise the boat and lift it to the desired-up position. (Note: The boat must be on the lift to assure correct sensor positioning)
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Locate a suitable mounting position on the lift cross member nearest the blower box. (Note: if you have a drive-on style lift the sensor tube should be mounted at the rear of the lift) Consideration should be given to minimizing the potential for the interference of the pickup hose with the lift. A good rule of thumb is to run the pickup hose along the air tank hoses.
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Attach the pickup tube to the cross member with the bottom of the tube approximately 3” above the water. It may be necessary to cut the bottom section of the PVC pickup tube to allow for clearance between the top of the pickup tube and the hull of the boat. Install the 2” hose clamps around the small diameter of the pickup tube just below the large diameter of the tube. Install the large 5” hose clamp around (or through) the cross member and through the small 2” hose clamps. Tighten the small hose clamps then tighten the large hose clamp. (Note: The pickup tube should be mounted vertically and perpendicular to the surface of the water) Attach one end of the sensor hose to the sensor assembly (Attached to the blower frame) and then the other end to the pickup tube. The hose must be pushed onto the fittings until it touches the yellow spacer on the brass fitting. Failure to do this will result in leaks and erratic sensor operation (Note: Putting a little liquid soap on the fitting eases the assembly process).
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Take extra care not to allow any water into the sensor hose as this will cause erratic operation.
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Installing the Receiver:
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Locate the mounting position of the receiver within 12 feet (including rising) of the blower box, near the roof of the dock. This location should be in a sheltered area of the dock minimizing the potential exposure to rain.
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Mount the receiver with the antennae pointing down, left, or right but not up. Wire tie around dock post.
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Attach the Antennae.
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Attach the receiver cable to the receiver. Run the cable to the blower box and install the jack labeled “REMOTE” on the controller assembly.
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Finishing the installation:
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Remove the lift hoses as necessary from the old blower box and mount them to the steel nipples (tank side of the Firstmate® valves).
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Install the blower box cover using the supplied ¼” sheet metal screws and large diameter washers.
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Plug the Firstmate® into the power outlet.
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Restore power to the outlet.