Re: Bennett auto tab control
Good afternoon fellow boaters!!<br /><br />The Auto Tab Control system is very much like your car's Cruise Control, but it runs your trim tabs! Basically, every vessel has an optimum running attitude that it was designed to run at when trimmed out, which provides the overall best ride, comfort, &/or performance for the given hull design. This running attitude can and will be different for every vessel, so we designed the ATC so you would be able to "set" the Zero Point (YOUR optimum running attitude) in the memory of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)! After you set the Zero Point & turn the system on, it will take over and run the trim tabs for you keeping the vessel at the running attitude you have set in memory as you cruise. This setting can be changed as often as you want to fit the sea/boating conditions that you happen to be running in, so youre not stuck with it forever. Of course, Boatist makes a good point about running in a following sea with your bow down, since we all know this could make for a very hairy situation at times. The ATC system wasnt designed to be in operation during these times, since you should be in full control of your vessel when running in following &/or stormy conditions. Now, as far as the ATC overworking the trim tab system, you dont have to worry about this ever happening! Our trim tab systems carry a 5-year warranty, to include the controls down to the trim tabs themselves, and it is nothing for the systems to still be in operation 10, 15, 20 years (trouble shot a 20 year old system just yesterday on the phone)! Most clients will tell you after they have had ATC installed that they will NEVER run a vessel without it again (same thing they say about trim tabs too!). ATC can be installed at anytime with the vessel in or out of the water, since all of the connections are done inside of the vessel with most of them under the helm. The installation is easy to complete, since there are four (4) main components to the system. The ATC Helm Keypad (allows you to turn ON/OFF, set Zero Point, & provides feedback on what system is doing), CPU (brains of the outfit, holds Zero Point memory & runs program), ATC Module (interface between CPU & Hydraulic Power Unit, provides power to operate HPU as CPU directs), & the Attitude Sensor (eyes of the outfit, how it sees the world). The ATC Helm Keypad installs at your helm (DOESNT replace manual trim tab controls) and in your line of sight, so you can easily see that it is on and what it is doing as it works. The CPU & ATC Module plug into each other and normally will be installed within 6 of the ATC Helm Keypad (comes standard with 6 cable) and 4 of your manual trim tab controls (supplied four color wiring harness to connect ATC Module to trim tab controls is 4 long). The Attitude Sensor can be installed just about anywhere on the vessel so long as the area is fairly flat, isnt attached directly to metal (if so needs ½ wood between) and is within 20 of the CPU (standard 20 cable). The other issue about the Attitude Sensor is she has a small arrow on top and in one corner, which must be pointing towards the bow and must be on or parallel to the keel when installed. After you install the components, you provide switched power to the CPU (tie into your gauges or an open accessory switch), provide power to the ATC Module (pull it off the manual trim tab control if you like!), plug the ATC Helm Keypad into the ATC Module, plug the Attitude Sensor into the CPU and take the vessel out to set your Zero Point! Simple stuff for any doityourselfers! In fact, you should cruise over to our website (
www.bennetttrimtabs.com) and check out the information on the ATC that we have posted (
http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/autotab.htm). <br /><br />If you have anymore questions, please feel free to contact me anytime!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />MJ Thomas<br />Bennett Marine, Inc.<br />Client Services
