Problem with Bennett trim tabs-gctid397192

[Guest]

My tabs are not working. I can hear the pump run when the switches are pressed, but no movement from the tabs. I assume they have not worked since i bought the boat. Where do I start?

[Guest]

I would check the fluid to see if there is any in the tank. if not fill and then look for leaks

[Guest]

Do you realize that the port side switch controls teh starboard trim tab?

And vice-versa, of course

They're wired 'backwards',,,,,,,just in case you did not realize.

good luck!

Sarah

[2850Bounty]

LazyCrusr wrote:
Do you realize that the port side switch controls teh starboard trim tab?

And vice-versa, of course

They're wired 'backwards',,,,,,, just in case you did not realize.

You and Carlos..... sheesh! :kidding

RMSLLC, when we tab down (on either Port or Stdb side), the pump and one solenoid valve are energized simultaneously.

If you hear the pump operating, yet see no hydraulic action, and if the fluid is up to snuff, it's likely a solenoid valve issue.

Either with the valve itself, or in the electrical system.

This is the case in either Tab UP... or Tab DOWN..... and/or both simultaneously.

The one thing that we can't do, is one Tab UP, and one Tab DOWN at the same time.

Take a test light and check for power at the solenoid that controls the actuator that you are testing.

You should have both motor and solenoid power simultaneously.

NOTE: if you do have power at the solenoid, yet no valve operation, it shows that the magnet portion itself may not be working.

In which case you probably need a new valve.

.

[Guest]

Hi

There are some good videos on the tube for troubleshootiing Bennett trim tabs.

[Tabman]

RMSLLC wrote:
My tabs are not working. I can hear the pump run when the switches are pressed, but no movement from the tabs. I assume they have not worked since i bought the boat. Where do I start?

Can you tell me how old you think they are?

Here is a link to a video that covers how the system works and troubleshooting http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/videoplayer.php?vID=10

And this video covers "Noise From The Pump But Tabs Don't Move" https://"http://www.bennetttrimtabs....yer.php?vID=22

Below you will find troubleshooting you can print and take to the boat.

One thing that can keep the Trim Tabs from going down if there is fluid in the pump and you can hear the pump run is low voltage due to corrosion on the connections (the valves take more power than the motor). So checking and cleaning both ends of the ground wire is a good idea.

Let me how old it is and what you find and I will be delighted to help you get them functioning properly.

Tom McGow

Bennett Marine

Fluid: Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) any type. Hydraulic Power Unit is self bleeding, running the Trim Tabs up and down 3-4 times will purge air from the system.

Fuse: 12 volt system use 20 amp in-line fuse on positive. (24v & 32v use proportionately smaller)

Red= Port Valve

Green= Starboard Valve

Blue=Motor Forward (pump pressure)

Yellow= Motor Reverse (pump retract)

Black on HPU=Ground

Orange on Helm=Control Positive

Troubleshooting

1.If one side is not operating reverse hydraulic lines on the front of the Hydraulic Power Unit to determine if the malfunction is in HPU or actuator / hydraulic lines. If after reversing the lines symptom shifts to the other side the malfunction may exist in HPU. If the symptom remains on the same side, malfunction may exist with the actuator / hydraulic lines

2. Is the unit receiving a solid 12 volts? Low voltage will some times cause the solenoids to not open preventing the tabs from moving even though the pump motor is running.

3. Conduct the following test:

Remove the wires from the helm control and touch together as follows:

Operation=Reaction

Orange (+), blue, red= Port trim tab down

Orange (+), blue, green=Starboard trim tab down

Orange (+), blue, red, green= Both trim tabs down

Orange (+), yellow, red= Port trim tab up

Orange (+), yellow, green=Starboard trim tab up

Orange (+), yellow, red, green= Both trim tabs up

If the trim tabs function correctly for each wire grouping then the switch is at fault. Also note that any loose or missing screws on the back of the switch (whether a wire is connected there or not) can cause the pump to malfunction.

This test may also be done right at the pump by substituting a "hot lead" for orange. There is usually a connector to the wire harness within a foot or so of the pump. You want to check this connection for corrosion. You may wish to cut the connector off on the pump side and try the test on bare wires.

4. If you suspect corrosion on the wire connector near the pump, cut it out, test as above and reconnect using butt splices.

5. If you conclude the problem is in the pump, contact me. Bennett Trim Tab Systems carry a five year warranty.

6. Check to see if there is a relay in line on the wiring harness near the hydraulic power unit. If there is it is an Interrupter Relay (IR1000). It prevents the system fuse from blowing if you try to actuate one trim tab up and the other down at the same time. After you test as outlined above, try removing the relay from the wiring harness and retest the unit.(Note: the interrupter relay is no longer used in current Bennett Trim Tab systems and has been replaced with a Switches that "lock out" preventing a blown fuse).

[Guest]

You and Carlos..... sheesh!

This weekend a new boater asked me if it was normal to have the tabs wired backwards on his boat. He'd wasted a half hour trying to figure out why they were broken and then realized the problem.

And yes, I both explained why they wire them backwards, and how to fix it if he chose to.

[2850Bounty]

SwampNut wrote:
This weekend a new boater asked me if it was normal to have the tabs wired backwards on his boat.

Carlos, this new boater is very observant, and I'm sure glad that he caught this!

If his TT's are wired backwards, he should look at the Bennett and/or Insta-Trim operating instructions, and he'll learn that this is NOT normal at all.

From Bennett's web site:



[COLOR]"#0000FF" wrote:
Don't Worry About Which Trim Tab is Moving

Bennett Trim Tabs operate the reverse of what you might think.

The port trim tab lowers the starboard bow.

Conversely, the starboard trim tab lowers the port bow.

The control is wired so that all you have to do is press the control in the direction you want the bow to move.

The proper use of Bennett Trim Tabs becomes second nature after a short time. [/COLOR]

.

[Guest]

It sounds like the design of the Bennett tabs doesn't change much. This from their document:

MAINTENANCE

Periodically, check fluid level in HPU. With trim tabs completely retracted, fluid

level should be about 2" from bottom of reservoir (approximately 22 ounces). To

refill, remove lexan cover and filler plug located at the front left hand corner of the

reservoir. FILL WITH ANY TYPE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) ONLY. Brands

or types of ATF can be mixed. Running HPU with an excess or lack of fluid will not

cause damage to the trim tab system.

ÔÇó Periodically, check for clean electrical connections on back of control, HPU ground

wire, and quick-disconnect plug.

------------------

TROUBLESHOOTING

2. If HPU motor runs but trim tabs do not move:

ÔÇó Inspect for disconnected or corroded red and green wire connections at

helm control and quick-disconnect plug.

ÔÇó The following test can be used to help isolate a malfunction.

Remove wires from helm control and touch together as follows:

Operation R eaction

O range ( + ), blue, red Port trim tab down

O range ( + ), blue, green Starboard trim tab down

O range ( + ), blue, red, green Both trim tabs down

O range ( + ), yellow, red Port trim tab up

O range ( + ), yellow, green Starboard trim tab up

O range ( + ), yellow, red, green Both trim tabs up

If trim tabs function in each of the above combinations, check helm control. If

during this test trim tabs continue to malfunction, inspect HPU.

[Guest]

It sounds like the design of the Bennett tabs doesn't change much.

Nope. So far my experience with parts interchangeability is 100%, which is awesome.

[Guest]

I had the same problem, but one tab only. It was the selonoid. Easy to change.