Trim tabs ??

[bondobill]

Geez it been a long summer. First I have to replace my transom, then my fishfinder takes a dump, now a trim tab quits working.
Anyway have bennets on the boat, been on it for better than 20 years. Port side tab stopped working. Messed around with it last night got it to working on the down side but wouldn't come back up. Made the mistake of backing out the screw at the top of actuater and had my face in the way. Yea it was under pressure. How do I determine whether the actuater is bad or if it's the pump. Fluid was low in the resevoir,  I did add some and it didn't help. Now it doesn't work at all

Help
Bill

[saltfly]

Does your pump wiring have a fuse in it? If so check it first.  Then ask tabman. You could also jump across your switch, to make sure its not that. Those are the first plases to look because they will go up first.

[bondobill]

Thanks saltfly
Pump does work, the starboard tab works fine. When I hit the switch to adjust port tab I can hear the pump working but the tab doesn't move. I have the old joy stick style control, that appears to be working fine also. Had lines disconnected while I was doing the transom, maybe got some air in the lines then. The tabs worked fine the first 3 times out after transom was done so there shouldn't be any air in the lines.

[seabob4]

Bill,
Bennett's are a self bleeding system, run them up and down a few times, any air will be purged.

Bennett has a TS guide, try this...http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/pdf/trob ... ooting.pdf

[bondobill]

Thanks Bob
Went to that site, read thru it. Thinking maybe now it is in the switch, maybe corroded wire connection. Pump just doesn't sound right when you try the port side. Try to look at it tonight. Want to go fishing tomorrow, if I can't figure it out I'll just back out that screw again { be a little more carefull this time] set the tab and worry about it next week.

Thanks
Bill

[Tabman]

Bill,

It very well could be the switch ir a connection, the valve for the port side is not getting power when you go to raise it.

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

Here is a link to a video covering one side operating and the other not http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/videoplayer.php?vID=15

Below is troubleshooting, take a look at step 2 and step 6 and let me know what you finf.

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. If it works the IR1000 will need to be replaced. Note: The IR1000 relay is no longer used in current Bennett Trim Tab systems and has been replaced with Lock Out Rocker Switches.