(GR) WiFi Controlled Boat lift

[Dean P]

I've been waiting for years to make the Gem Remote WiFi accessible. Sucks having to wait for the lift to lower; seems like it takes forever.

I FINALLY got it to work!!! I'm now able to remotely lower, stop and raise the lift from anywhere. The route I took does not break warranties as I purchased the interrupt cable (K-6pin) from GR. I did everything thru the GR controller. The 6-pin cable connects in-between the flex and the (male) 6-pin on the PCB. The cable provides 3 wires which are connected to pin 1 (common), pin 3 (up) and pin 4 (down). When you short pin 1 to pin 3 or to pin 4, the lift will move accordingly. I purchased a cheap WiFi relay switch (with potential-free/dry contacts) to handle the signal and the switching. The power comes from a USB connection. Thru their app, I can control the lift with Alexa, Google, iPhone AND my watch. Love it!

Did it all for $55. K-6pin cable shipped $30 and the WiFi controller $25. If people are interested, I'll post links and pics of what I did. I'm also working on making it simpler, as their (GR) cable is not reliable (caused lots of grief).

Finally...

 

[jeffrt]

I’d be interested to see how you did that. I just got a lift with a Gem remote 2 summers ago. I have a remote now, but it would be neat to be able to run it from further away. Do you have limit switches for up and down? That’s something I don’t have now. Thanks!

 

[Dean P]

I’d be interested to see how you did that. I just got a lift with a Gem remote 2 summers ago. I have a remote now, but it would be neat to be able to run it from further away. Do you have limit switches for up and down? That’s something I don’t have now. Thanks!

Correct. You must have auto-stop otherwise you'll have a disaster on your hands.

 

[Dean P]

Update: I ordered new parts and am waiting their arrival. Should have them in a week or so. These new components will streamline the process and allow for a better fit inside the control box.

 

[jeffrt]

I've been contemplating upgrading and adding limit switches to mine, so this may speed up the upgrade.

 

[Dean P]

Update: All parts arrived and I've confirmed this works.​

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A DIY / HACK
I AM NOT RESPOSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS UPGRADE.
YOU MUST HAVE AUTO-STOP INSTALLED!!!*
YOU MUST HAVE A WI-FI NETWORK TO CONNECT THIS 2-CHANNEL WIFI RELAY SWITCH
THIS IS HOW I DID IT. I AM NOT AN ELECTRICIAN NOR AN ELECTRONICS GURU, BUT I KNOW ENOUGH...

With that said, below are the steps to add WiFi to your GEM REMOTE boat lift.

1. Tools required: Phillips head screwdriver, flat screwdriver, narrow flat screwdriver and wire strippers. See picture 1
2. Purchased components: Test Point Header Pmod TPH, 2x2-pin MTE Cable, Wifi Relay Switch w/dry contacts. See picture 2.
3. Additional items (had these laying around the house): USB to micro USB charging cord, cheap extension cord, 110v to USB transformer/plug, small wire nut. See picture 3.
4. Prepare components: See picture 4
   • A) 2x2-pin Cable: Cut off connectors and strip the blue and brown wire to 1/4" long, strip red wire to 1/2" long (Sorry not shown in pic).
   • A) Cut black wire off and then cut it in half. Strip one end to 1/4" long and the other end 1/2" long. Repeat for the other piece.
   • B) Connect the red wire with the (2) 1/2" black stripped wire with a wire nut.
   • C) Connect 1 black wire to the center connection/screw of the WiFi relay switch channel 1 and the 2nd black to channel 2.
   • C) Connect the brown wire to channel 1 to the left (NC) screw (updated 4/15)
   • C) Connect the blue wire to channel 2 to the left (NC) screw (updated 4/15)
   • D) Connect the 2x2 cable to the test point header as shown.
   • E) Cheap extension cord: Cut off the receptacle leaving about 10" of cord. Separate the cord (utility knife or scissors helps to start and then separate by hand) about 8" and strip the ends to 1/2" Long.
5. TURN OFF POWER TO THE GR CONTROLLER. See picture 5.
6. Remove the 4 screw holding the face plate in place. See picture 6.
7. Lean the top of the face plate towards you and gently remove the flex cable from the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and lower the face plate down. See picture 7.
8. Please review the extension cord wires. See picture 8.
9. Connect the positive end of the extension cord to the screw of the breaker as shown. See picture 9. (updated 4/15)
10. Connect the neutral wire to the neutral bar. See picture 10. For this DIY/hack only, don't worry if these get mixed up as it does not matter due to the 110v to USB transformer/plug can go in either direction.
11. Connect the 110v to USB plug to the extension cord and connect the USB to micro USB cord to the 110v to USB plug. See picture 11.
12. Connect the micro USB to the WiFi relay switch board. See picture 12.
13. Place/stuff the WiFi PCB inside the box, connect the test pin header to the GR PCB and connect the flex circuit to the test pin header. See picture 13.
14. Re-install the face plate with the (4) screws. See picture 14.
15. Download the eWeLink app, create an account and connect the WiFi PCB to the app. This should be done before installation.
    1. Rename channel 1 to Boat Lift UP and channel 2 to Boat Lift DOWN. Be sure to save (upper right) everytime. See picture 15.
    2. Set the inching parameters to 0.5 seconds and save, save and save. See picture 16.
    3. Set these sliders to be on. See picture 17.
16. To have this on the Apple Watch, you must create a "scene" in the eWeLink app and make sure the app transferred to the watch. The eWeLink app will appear on the watch. See picture 18.
17. Good luck and enjoy!!!

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* As an alternative but not recommended, the app/device does have "inching" which allows for a number of seconds the lift can be in operation.

 

[Dean P]

Below is a picture of a DIY cable made by Alpha Wire, Pt. No. K-6pin, I purchased from GR for $30 shipped. This cable caused me lots of grief as the male pins are too short and the area where the wire connects to the internal crimps are not reliable and could come loose.

 

[jeffrt]

Wow, great write up! Thanks for the detailed instructions. Now I need to see what it would take to add the auto-stop to mine!

 

[Cut2thechase]

Awesome write up Dean! I was at my buddies in Cape Coral and he just installed the same Gem Remote 3 weeks ago as a replacement from Ian. I'm going to show him this. Thanks!

 

[Dean P]

Awesome write up Dean! I was at my buddies in Cape Coral and he just installed the same Gem Remote 3 weeks ago as a replacement from Ian. I'm going to show him this. Thanks!

Hey, Love your boat. I have the same one in a 22 footer. 223VRX. Nice...

 

[Cut2thechase]

Thanks Dean! It's an adventure... on & out of the water! Not sure if you saw my latest post/ need of help? I'll DM you! Enjoy the super trick WiFi lift!

 

[Dean P]

Thanks Dean! It's an adventure... on & out of the water! Not sure if you saw my latest post/ need of help? I'll DM you! Enjoy the super trick WiFi lift!

Went out last night and got to use it for the 1st time. Worked as expected.