Trim tab indicator

1TUBERIDER · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 1:32 pm Post subject: Trim tab indicator

I have a chance to buy an indicator for my trim tabs for $50. The local dealer is getting rid of slow moving inventory. It is a bennett product that retails for $236.
I have the bennett sport tabs on my hull.

Would you do it? For those of you who have them is it informative and useful or just bells and whistles.

Thanks in advance to all who take the time to help out.

Jeff

Hunkydory · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 2:00 pm Post subject:

Such a deal!! I'd jump on it. I payed the $200 plus & still thought it well worth the price. No bells & whistles just accurately let's you Know what percentage of each trim tab is being used. After a while I got to know with different boat loads about what amount would give best milage for motor rpm, so had a much better & quicker starting point for fine tuning optimal performance. I use the tabs more for performance than side weight correction though at times for that too.

Jay

starcrafttom · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:10 pm Post subject:

buy it and sell it on ebay or craigs. It the business owner not doing the same to get ride of old stock? what else is he giving away??

colobear · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:18 pm Post subject:

By al means get lt. If you don't want it I'll buy it from you. Or, buy two and I'll take the second one .

1TUBERIDER · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 5:40 pm Post subject:

All righty then, its mine. Looks like it should not be to difficult to install.

I will look and see if he has any more items and post them tomorrow.

Thank you.

Tabman · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 8:38 am Post subject:

Jeff,

If you have any questions when you are installing the indicator let me know and I will be delighted to help.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

Capital Sea · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:40 pm Post subject:

I read this thread in hopes I would pick up a tip or two on how best to trouble shoot my Bennett tab indicators since they recently stopped working for the most part.
The tabs still work, I checked all the wires behind the dash to be sure they were tight, but still only get bars on one side and only some of the time.
Can anyone give me some advice???

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:59 pm Post subject:

Capital Sea-

On Monday, look up the service contact number at Bennet Marine and call Tom and ask for his advice. There's no substitute for a pro technician, and Tom is as good and as helpful as they come!

Joe. Teeth

Tabman · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 8:19 pm Post subject:

Hunkydory · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:02 pm Post subject:

Tom

I can't pass up this offer of help over the weekend.

Mine is the older one you have shown a photo of & the port side controller lights Up totally red, blocking the ability to see the percentage of use. Most of the time if I just bump it up or down it will then show a reading. Seems to be getting worse. Would be good to know if it's on it's way out & I will need to replace it or it's something that can be fixed. It's the controller for the side where the leak was in the top of the actuator by the wire & you are replacing the actuator for me now if that could possibly have anything to do with it.

Thanks,

Jay

Tabman · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 7:21 am Post subject:

Jay,

It could be the sensor in the side with the leak that is causing the issue. Can you remind me what we are sending you?

When the port side is all red bars do the numbers flash anything?

Below you will find the troubleshooting for the old system. First try recalibrating it, then look at the error codes and let me know if it flashing any of them.

Tom
Bennett Marine

Operating Instructions

Bennett Trimdicators accurately display the position of your trim tabs. The LCD display indicates trim tab deflection in degrees. The red LED bar graph display indicates the corresponding percentage of deflection.

When the LCD indicates "00" and no LED's are illuminated, the tabs are in the "full-up", negative position. When the LCD reads "20" and the LED reads "100%" deflection the trim tabs are fully extended.

Remember, because of changing conditions (speed, weight distribution, water conditions, etc.), to achieve the proper trim of the boat, tab position will likely vary each time the boat is run. Port and Starboard trim tabs do not necessarily need to be in equal positions.

Diagnostic Information
The Trimdicator CPU is an onboard computer. In the event of a system malfunction, its software exhibits diagnostic information on the helm displays. The following are explanations of these troubleshooting modes:

- When both LCD displays flash, 0-20, 0-20..., alternately, the Trimdicators need calibrating. To calibrate, run the trim tabs full-down (approximately 10 seconds for single actuators systems, 20 seconds for dual actuator systems, do not use the Trimdicator displays to determine tab position during calibration), and bring full-up, wait 60 seconds. The Trimdicator CPU now knows the total stroke of the trim tab actuating cylinders and is calibrated.

- If at any time you wish to recalibrate the Trimdicator, simply turn on the power to the Trimdicator, retract the trim tabs completely, press the calibration button on the CPU, and repeat calibration procedure described above.

- When LED displays show 30-34, 30-34..., alternately, the signal coming from the actuator sensor is interrupted. This is caused by a broken wire, bad connection, or a faulty pigtail wire(s) from the actuators(s) It
can also be caused by a damaged actuator sensor.

- When LED displays show 30-35, 30-35..., alternately, the sensor wires are shorted together. Check for obvious connection problems along the shielded cable and at the CPU. The twisted pair of wires inside the shielded cable (red or green) should produce a reading between the same color wires in the 220-260 Ohm range. If it does not read in this range, The actuator sensor coil may be damaged.

- Displays read "00" and will not move or recalibrate. CPU is not receiving proper voltage. Check 12 volt source. (24 and 32 volt boats require Bennett PC12 Power Converter for CPU.)

Hunkydory · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 10:53 am Post subject:

Tom

The actuator being sent is for the M 120 Sport.

The gauge in my boat is mounted fairly low making the exact tab position hard to see, so haven't noticed any codes flashing. I mainly use the bar part for adjustment & that is what has been going all red at times.

Presently am waiting on the actuator to arrive so I can install it. So guess trouble shooting is out till then. Maybe problem will go away with new actuator if it doesn't will troubleshoot as you suggest & ask for help if needed.

Sincere Thanks,

Jay

Tabman · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 11:10 am Post subject:

Jay,

Yes, let's get the actuator changed first. Also once that is done you can check the codes for me.

Can you tell me how old you think the indicator system is?

Tom
Bennett Marine

Hunkydory · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 11:40 am Post subject:

Tom

The indicator system is eight years old.

Jay

Tabman · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jay,

The current systems use the same sensors as what you have now, so if we can't get the old system working changing over to a new one would be quite easy.

Tom
Bennett Marine