Dealers

Questions & Answers

Q&A

Below you will find a number of questions that may arise about the Lightning Trim and Stabilization System. Questions regarding Service, Maintenance, or reparations are also right here.

 

About the lighting system

Lightning is moving the blade very fast and use a larger stroke 2” (50mm) compared to the competition using about 1” (25-30mm). Our larger stroke creates more availble lift, and ultrafast movement allows us to dynamically change the lift. This results in better stabilization and performance of the. 20 years of experience in the field have given us a technical advantage. Oh, and we are the only brand that integrates with your rudder signal to give you the ultimate turning experience.

By creating lift on the transom, it creates comfort by keeping the boat close to 0°, meaning balancing trim and list angles. Thanks to the fast interceptors, it can dynamically stabilise pitch and roll unlike anything you've felt before, creating less slamming, seasickness and more comfort onboard.

Great question, we have few hardware options, but still important to get it just right. See our easy sizing guide! https://humphree.com/lightning/fits-my-boat/

Due to the more powerful stroke 2” (50mm), a smaller Lightning interceptor can be used where the competition would need almost twice the size. With the possibility to install it closer to the chine where the rightening arm is greater, creating a more efficient lift force. The result is faster response and an increased performance for the Auto List and the Roll stabilization functionalities.

The system works up to 62knots, above this speed, the system does not move the blade at all.
The system will adjust the blades more “gently” at high speeds for safety reasons.

You can buy the Humphree system at your nearest dealer, to find the nearest dealer, please check DEALERS on the Humphree webpage. https://humphree.com/contact-humphree-dealer-network/

The Lightning is ready to be upgraded at any time. Your dealer can assist with license upgrades.

Yes, of course! The system supports upgrading to any of our function packages, no hardware installation required*

Contact the dealer or center where you purchased your system or boat and they can help you go through the available upgrades.

*A rudder signal is required for our Plus packages, which contains our coordinated turn functionality for comfortable and sharper turns, which will require you to connect a rudder signal to the system.

Yes, the underwater LEDs are fully RGBW which enables you to choose the colour to suit your mood.

For navigational safety reasons, underwater light can only be activated when the boat is at speeds close to zero knots. Note that if speed source is not activated at system start up, eg GPS turned off, the Humphree system will wait 90 seconds before lights can be activated. If for some reason speed source is deactivated during speeds over 3 knots, lights will not be able to activate. Turn on speed source again to give the system confirmation that the boat is at standstill and lights will be available again.

Each Interceptor has one 10x2.5W LED’s giving a total system power of 50W. The lights can also be dimmed, and the Colour can be adjusted.

The system is not autonomous but very easy to set up. Our system can be tweaked to any boat type and owner preference, unlike any system on the market. An experienced boat user or a dealer can perform this with the instructions included in our setup manual, available in the manuals section of our website.

One year from delivery of the system or two years if the warranty form has been submitted. You can find the warranty form here, on the website, on the QR code on the box and if you have portal access, you can fill it in directly on the system details page. You can check if the form has been submitted by filling in your system information in the form.

Yes, an optional second control panel can be used.

Support

The system will automatically look for the latest software when connected to the internet, just like your phone. Enter system settings, and press connections. Press wi-fi and connect to a nearby network, if you don't have a network nearby you can connect to a mobile hotspot. You can only install the update if the boat is still for safety reasons.

Usually this is setup related, we are confident that you would be satsified with performance is correct. Refer to the system setup manual to ensure perfect system settings,

If you have an alarm in your system, see the DTC / Alarm page for help. If the system is not setup or installed propperly, look at our manuals on the manuals page. If you want to look for spare parts, drawings or technical specifications look at our technical documents page.

Please follow all the suggested steps in the Control Panel and the Humphree trouble shooting guide (on the web). If you require further assistance, please check our dealer locator and contact the nearest one. Note that in the alarm list, alarms can still be visible even after a system reset. Press the refresh button with an arrow icon to refresh the alarms. https://humphree.com/aftermarket-support/diagnostic-trouble-codes/

Installation

No, but it requires good technical skills and know-how. It's strongly required to follow our Installation and setup manuals for installations, it's not hard to install but it's important to be thourough. This will also give you the best experience. Manuals are available on our website or on the QR-code on the systems packaging.

The clever and included “mounting bracket” is mounted to the transom first. The bracket have two stainless steel thread inserts and the interceptor is then attached to the bracket with two included M8 bolts.

No, you can mount the cable through hull fitting either below typically behind the interceptor or above the water line. There is a cable cover included in the box, that can be adjusted.

Position the control unit on the transom or a position within reach for the 4m cables to the interceptors. The control unit can be rotated, however it has to be positioned in a 90° angle to the keel, not in 30° or 45° as example. In the control panel the orientation of the control unit is selected. This is essential for the system to know what is forward/aft/Stb and port. Place the unit close to the centreline (within 1m from centreline is OK). We strongly advise to place the control unit somewhere where it's less exposed to vibrations from engines or equipment.

The cable between the control unit and interceptor is 4m.
The cable between control unit and control panel is either 10 or 15m.
The NMEA2000 drop cable is 1.5m

The kit comes with a NMEA2000 drop cable. The cable connects to the NMEA2000 network and the system use the GPS signal available on the network. If a separate antenna is required, there are alternatives, consult your nearest dealer.

We support Garmin, Simrad and Raymarine brands, via the ethernet cable on the LCP. Ensure your MFD supports HTML5 applications, connect the control panel to the display using the Humphree Ethernet cable according to the Lighting Installation Manual. Don't forget to ensure your system is updated to the latest software, as MFD integrations require the latest software update, and are often updated to support more features and screens.

Humphree Lightning supports MFD integration with an HTML5-application. The LCP connects with MFDs through the ethernet port. Supported MFD's are Garmin OneHelm displays and Navico Group displays (Simrad, B&G and Lowrence) and Raymarine Axiom and Axiom 2 displays. Ensure your display is compatible with HTML-5 apps.

Currently, For Simrad, we recommend a NSX Simrad series, the NSS series have troubles with the trim and list controls. We are working on solving the issue.

For the Garmin 9000 series with bluenet, you will have have an RJ45 port available, either through a Bluenet to Garmin marine network switch, or an adapter cable. These are supplied from Garmin, the part number for the adapter cable is 010-12528-20.

For Simrad installations you will need an adapter cable supplied by Simrad. One such cable has the part number 000-0127-56.

For Raymarine installations you will need an adapter cable supplied by Raymarine. RJ45f to RayNet Adapter, part number A80247

We recommend looking in the installation manual for further assistance.

You only need the right cables, the integration is included in the control panel.

You can use this link by Garmin to see if it's supported https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=WVSuH7wnMc6MbVcplpChYA

Very important. The cable protection is fitted to protect the cable/cable gland from whatever can damage it.

If the LCU is not properly installed and secured, then the system can read the sensors wrong and the performance is affected in an unexpected way, it's very important to fit the LCU properly. It can be a good idea to ensure it's installed in an as vibration freee area as possible.

Yes, and it should be properly fitted and secured. The Lightning Control Unit has a class IP67. (1meter in 30min)

Yes, the cable is waterproof, according to spec (23149883_01_1).
Molex 150 connectors are protected by class IP6K7.

No, not necessary. The system will inform you if it wan'ts to do a calibration using a red badge, very much like a notification on your phone. It's an automatic calibration, and you can do it on land or in the water.

There are no torque limits, only calibration OK, or calibration fail. Calibration can sometimes fail de to installation related issues, such as over-tensioning the interceptor to the mounting bracket, providing insufficient width of power cables. See installation manual for correct installation instructions or contact a Humphree Center.

The underwater light should not be painted, only with coating used for underwater lights.

Apply anti fouling to the parts that are exposed to water for more than two weeks at a time. You can use the same anti fouling as your hull, just mind the underwater light and avoid painting over it.

Maintenance and service

No service is needed, replace only if leaking.

No service is needed, change only if broken or if there are any cracks.

The cable protection is made of PC/PBT, this will last and withstand the sunlight for many years.

The recommendation is to change it if it is damaged in any way.

You need to remove the interceptor from the transom. See the installation manual to understand how the interceptor is mounted.

Brush the interceptors regularly to avoid marine growth is best practice. Soap and water but also high-pressure water is ok to use.

Visual inspection of the interceptor, cables, control panel, and LCU annually. Recommend checking the interceptor bracket every 4th year.
Check interceptor bolts annually.
Connect system to the internet and install updates every at least every six months. You can see the latest release notes on: https://humphree.com/lightning/release-notes/

Yes, because of the integrated design and minimal form factor, the entire interceptor needs to be replaced.

No. But if more than one Led stops working on the underwater light, and this is under warranty time, then you will get a new interceptor on warranty.

Same as Interceptor.

Humphree does not supply spare parts for the interceptor (Humphree supplies a complete new interceptor under warranty period), warranty is not valid if the interceptor is opened during the warranty period.

This is a rare occasion. Regarddelss if it doesn't get any power and fails to boot up the system, or that the LCP indicates that it cannot communicate with the control unit, the LCU needs to be replaced. Contact Humphree dealer and they will assist you further. You can find your closes dealer at this link: https://humphree.com/contact-humphree-dealer-network/

Please contact a Humphree Center/Dealer. Go to: https://humphree.com/contact-humphree-dealer-network/

Go to the Humphree web page, select dealer/center to contact for support, and contact them to buy spare parts. Spare part list is available in the technical documents