Stuck Trim Tab

[Hooper]

Guys-

Any advise on freeing a trim tab that seems to have become stuck and will not retract?

My starboard tab is fully down and I cannot get it to come up although it sounds like the motor is trying to pull it up for me. So, I am forced to run with both tabs down making for a slow and somewhat worse ride than when it is properly trimmed out.

I do appreciate any info you can throw at me. I was told that growth can accumulate if a tab isn't stored in the up position and it can create problems like this, but as of now, I cannot figure why it isn't coming back for me.

Thanks! Hooper

[Ed]

Hooper-

Are they Lenco's or Bennett's?

If they are Lenco's...I just went through this. One motor worked but didnt retract tab fully and the other motor didnt work at all. Basically, I wound up replacing both actuators (the arms with the motors inside) at a cost of about $150 each ...ouch. LENCO used to sell just a replacement motor but for whatever reasons (greed and also boneheads who reinstalled motors incorrectly) they only sell replacement actuators now.

The good news is..if you have a receipt and they are less than 3 years old, and you are original owner, they will replace free of charge no questions asked.

Good luck.

-Ed-

[Dave Hirshberg]

Hooper,
If they are Bennetts or Hydraulic tabs crack loose the nutfrom the pump that corresponds to the hose on the faulty tab. It should squirt out the fluid in the hose and come up. They have a spring inside the actuator that should return it to the up position. If it comes up then the motor is either not working, the wire for that function(either at the pump or at the control) is not connected right, or the valve for that function in the pump is blocked in some way.

[Hooper]

I will look into both of your replies. Thank you. I went to the Bennett website and found additional troubleshooting info so I will probably be able to fix 'um somehow, that and lots of cash I am sure!

-Hooper

[Tabman]

Hooper,

I am sorry to hear you are having a problem with your Trim Tabs. Do you know how old the system is? Our systems carry a 5 year warranty but we often can fix it for little or no money well after the warranty period.

That '70s boat is correct about how to get the Tabs to come up without power.

From your description it sounds like a switch or connection problem. Take a look at step # 3 below. Pay particular attention to the green wire since it is the one that controls the starboard valve. Also look carefully at he back of the switch as a loose or missing screw could give the same symptoms.

Let me know what you find and I will get you going!

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. We also offer a trade in program for units out of warranty. Contact us for further details after you troubleshoot the system.

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. If it works the IR1000 will need to be replaced

[ August 03, 2003, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: Tabman ]