Bennett M120 issue

[225Explor]

well, thanks to the threads and all my questions asked and answered I have finally finished my M120 install with the ATC mod on my 225 Explorer.  Finished everything 100% including resealing my dash panel.  Went to go test everything only to find them not working properly.  rechecked all the posts here, reviewed  the installation manual again.  still could not find out why my tabs were not working properly.  Finally called Bennett tech support only to find out that after I completed the whole install I needed 2 additional pigtails to reverse the power to the relay box to use the ATC mod.......well needless to say I was pretty pissed.  So you mean to tell me that everyone who buys a M120 kit and a Auto tab control switch will come across this problem ??  Have all the non professional Bennett Tab installers here come across this issue ??

[Capt. Bob]

I have the ATC on my "standard" tabs.
Mine is the "old" system but was basically "plug and play".
 
Just a little background with the newer system might help with some direction.

Thanks.

[Tabman]

Sorry for the delay in responding, I have been a little under the weather.

Can you tell me what two pigtails you needed (did we send them to you?)?

Do you have the regular rocker switch or the one with the built in indicators?

I have not heard of this being an issue and would like to get to the bottom of what happened.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

[jdupree]

Sorry for the delay in responding, I have been a little under the weather.

Can you tell me what two pigtails you needed (did we send them to you?)?

Do you have the regular rocker switch or the one with the built in indicators?

I have not heard of this being an issue and would like to get to the bottom of what happened.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

Great to see that you are doing better Tom   Sorry to OP, not trying to derail your thread.

[Tabman]

I think I know the answer to what happened.

The relay module is designed to be mounted back by the pump. The instructions call for it to be mounted that way.  Here is a schematic of the system:



If the owner desired to mount the relay (#7) forward close to the control box (#3), then they would need pigtails to plug it in the correct way.

Did we send you the pigtails, no charge?

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

[flounderpounder225]

Great to have you back Tom!!   Hope your feeling better every day.

[Capt. Bob]

Hey Tom,
Welcome back in your Tabman persona. Trust all is moving forward as planned. Good luck.

After seeing your post and talking with the tech department, I'd guess you've called it. Possibly the relay was plugged into the module which would be the wrong polarity (due to plug configuration) and result in a negative function.

I would think that if you just replugged the existing connections according to the schematic, you don't need the extra pigtails and that would probably answer the original question posted; "does this happen to everyone"?

I'm guessin' not.

[Tabman]

Hey Tom,
Welcome back in your Tabman persona. Trust all is moving forward as planned. Good luck.

After seeing your post and talking with the tech department, I'd guess you've called it. Possibly the relay was plugged into the module which would be the wrong polarity (due to plug configuration) and result in a negative function.

I would think that if you just replugged the existing connections according to the schematic, you don't need the extra pigtails and that would probably answer the original question posted; "does this happen to everyone"?

I'm guessin' not.

 
Thanks for the kind words! Things are progressing better than could have been hoped for!

If at all possible we would like the relay mounted near the pump in order to get the best voltage to the pump motor and solenoids.  On a boat like the 225 the wire runs are short enough to mount the module forward, and we are happy to supply the pigtails.

On anything larger we really want to see the module close to the pump.

We don't have a lot of cases where we need to use the pigtails.

Tom
Bennett Marine

[Capt. Bob]

We don't have a lot of cases where we need to use the pigtails

Forum's pleasure Tom, great to hear. Nothing better than cheating the hangman.


Back on point.
Are the pigtails supplied with connectors on each end or is "cut and splice" required.

Thanks.

[Tabman]

We don't have a lot of cases where we need to use the pigtails

Forum's pleasure Tom, great to hear. Nothing better than cheating the hangman.


Back on point.
Are the pigtails supplied with connectors on each end or is "cut and splice" required.

Thanks.

Cut and splice, connectors on one end, and butt connectors per-connected on the other.

Tom

[225Explor]

Hello Tom, Thanks for the reply and glad you are feeling well. I have standard rockers provided with the M120's plus the ATC.  I am honest here, during the install specifically on the 225 Explorer it just made no sense(to me) to wire the relay in the back of the boat. No pun intended sir but indeed a strange design(again, to me).  Since you were ill I talked to another Tom in tech support and he pretty agreed to what I was saying and automatically offered the 2 additional pigtails not provided in the kit free of charge.  Just a bit frustrated that I had to take the dash apart again after a complete install as my thoughts are these pigtails prolly should have been in the kit as an option.  Anyways, I stand by Bennett 100% in their product and my M120's and ATC are kickin a$$ on the water.

[Tabman]

Hello Tom, Thanks for the reply and glad you are feeling well. I have standard rockers provided with the M120's plus the ATC.  I am honest here, during the install specifically on the 225 Explorer it just made no sense(to me) to wire the relay in the back of the boat. No pun intended sir but indeed a strange design(again, to me).  Since you were ill I talked to another Tom in tech support and he pretty agreed to what I was saying and automatically offered the 2 additional pigtails not provided in the kit free of charge.  Just a bit frustrated that I had to take the dash apart again after a complete install as my thoughts are these pigtails prolly should have been in the kit as an option.  Anyways, I stand by Bennett 100% in their product and my M120's and ATC are kickin a$$ on the water.

I can see your point! I am forwarding a copy of your post to the team to see what they think.  I am sure you spoke with Thomas, he's a good man and knows his stuff!

I am delighted to hear that the ATC and M120s are kicking butt on the water  :P

Let me know if I may ever be of any help!

Tom
Bennett Marine

[dburr]

You just CAN NOT BEAT customer support like that!!!!!!