Automatic Tab Zeroing

[Knot Waiting]

While installing some new stereo wires I came across a little electrical box for my Bennett trim tabs. The ground was un-plugged (whether by accident or intention I don't know) so it hadn't been functioning. Apparently it's a module that sets the trim tabs back to a neutral position every time you turn the key off. I hooked it back up and the system works as intended.

My question is, does anybody use this feature? It seems like alot of extra work for the hydraulic pump but if someone out there swears by it I'd like to leave it hooked up and run with the feature. Thanks.

 

[Tabman]

Re: Automatic Tab Zeroing

The Automatic Trim Tab Retractor is a handy item to have if you dry store or trailer your boat, it keeps the Trim Tabs from being damaged by the fork lift or trailer bunks. It's also kind of nice to know the Trim Tabs are fully retracted when you start up the boat.

It really is not a lot more work for the pump and will not shorten its lifespan! The duty cycle of the pump and motor far exceed the amount of use they actually get. If the pump is kept dry and the electrical connections are cleaned and protected by a corrosion inhibitor it's not unusual for them to last 20 to 25 years (I've seen even older ones still working!).


If you like it, I would recommend leaving it hooked up.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Automatic Tab Zeroing

The Automatic Trim Tab Retractor is a handy item to have if you dry store or trailer your boat, it keeps the Trim Tabs from being damaged by the fork lift or trailer bunks. It's also kind of nice to know the Trim Tabs are fully retracted when you start up the boat.

It really is not a lot more work for the pump and will not shorten its lifespan! The duty cycle of the pump and motor far exceed the amount of use they actually get. If the pump is kept dry and the electrical connections are cleaned and protected by a corrosion inhibitor it's not unusual for them to last 20 to 25 years (I've seen even older ones still working!).


If you like it, I would recommend leaving it hooked up.

I was hoping you'd be online to answer this, lol. My boat is a trailer queen so she's hauled at the end of every trip. Could see the potential benefit of the feature. If it's not burdening the pump too much I'll just leave it hooked up. Thanks!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Automatic Tab Zeroing

A trim tab pump is far more likely to die from INACTIVITY than it is from over use! (actually this applies to almost every item on a boat)

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Automatic Tab Zeroing

That thought had also crossed my mind. Giving the pump (seals, etc) a little exercise might keep it alive longer.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Automatic Tab Zeroing

It isn't any more work for the pump than if you 'membered to run them up yourself each time

 

[ssobol]

Re: Automatic Tab Zeroing

While installing some new stereo wires I came across a little electrical box for my Bennett trim tabs. The ground was un-plugged (whether by accident or intention I don't know) so it hadn't been functioning. Apparently it's a module that sets the trim tabs back to a neutral position every time you turn the key off. I hooked it back up and the system works as intended.

My question is, does anybody use this feature? It seems like alot of extra work for the hydraulic pump but if someone out there swears by it I'd like to leave it hooked up and run with the feature. Thanks.

Actually, I was trying to figure out how to stop my trim tabs from retracting every time the key is shut off (the available wiring diagrams aren't clear on how this part works). This summer when tubing it is going to be a pain to have to reset them whenever I stop the engine to pick up the tuber when they fall off (I always turn off the motor when someone is in the water near the back of the boat). I also find it annoying at other times.

So you're saying that the tabs all worked fine except for the auto stow feature with this ground wire off?

I'll have to look for it and maybe I'll put a switch on the ground wire so I can turn this feature on and off.

Thanks.

 

[Tabman]

Re: Automatic Tab Zeroing

ssobol,

If they are Bennett the 22 gauge orange wire is the trigger wire (not the ground). It "tells" the Trim Tabs to retract when it senses the lose of 12 volts positive. So that is the one you would want to disconnect or run to a switch.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Automatic Tab Zeroing

In my case one of those wires (can't remember what color now) was T-tapped into the cigarette lighter wire. The outlet hadn't worked since I bought the boat so I looked and found a wire (the one that was tapped into) was just unplugged from the outlet. Plugged it back in and the retractor started working. Tabs had worked as normal up until this point.

 

[ssobol]

Re: Automatic Tab Zeroing

ssobol,

If they are Bennett the 22 gauge orange wire is the trigger wire (not the ground). It "tells" the Trim Tabs to retract when it senses the lose of 12 volts positive. So that is the one you would want to disconnect or run to a switch.

They are Bennett tabs. Thanks for the information.