Lenco Autoglide (Autopilot for trim tabs).

[Submariner]

All I really wanted was trim tab indicators until I ran across Lenco's Autoglide.

The boat now analyzes the pitch and roll in real-time and adjusts the trim tabs accordingly to level the boat out making for a more comfortable ride. Should guests get up and move around while on plane, the boat will figure it out and adjusts the trim tabs automagically. When I accelerate to get up on plane, the trim tabs are automatically deployed to push the bow down and assist with/lesson the time it takes to plane as well as to correct the natural port list. Supposedly it'll help with fuel efficiency, but I need more run-time to confirm that marketure talking point.

The Autoglide replaces the trim tab switch on the helm, it adds a controller (I put it under the helm seat). The controller connects to the port and starboard trim tabs, 12v power, the helm switch and the Nema2000 network for engine and GPS data, and the ignition wire (to know if the engine is on or off). There are accelerometers and gyroscopes within the Autoglide controller. The controller must be mounted vertical, cables facing the stern for it to operate correctly. The Lenco optional L shaped mounting bracket wasn't optional because of this installation requirement.

We took the boat out for a quick run to calibrate the Lenco Autoglide (it has to know what balanced port/starboard is, as well as cruising pitch angle). Cruised around Hat Island playing with it. So far I'm pretty happy with it. The boat does seem to pop up on plane quicker and it's nice to not have to adjust the trim tabs at all, especially when folks move about the cabin while underway. (It does have manual override as well). Watching it work, it does things such as simultaneously tapping the starboard side tab up while tapping the port side tab down in short bursts to adjust the level of the boat. Lenco says its evaluating pitch and roll 25 times a second. Because it's tied into GPS and engine data it knows when the boat is turning and will not try to level the boat in a turn.

Now I just need to fill up the gas tank and take a longer trip to see if helps with fuel efficiency.

I still need to adjust the engine trim on the outboard. The Autoglide just balances the boat roll and pitch based on changing conditions in real-time using the port and starboard trim tabs so I don't have to touch the tabs at all while driving.

Installation was fairly easy and straight forward. The L shaped mounting bracket is required. Also, I ran out of room on the Nema2000 bus so I ended up replacing 3 T's with a single 4 drop T that takes up less horizontal space. This required removing the chart plotter from the helm to gain access to the Nema2k bus. The only cable I actually had to crimp was the purple ignition wire. 16Awg snap-in connector. Zip tie's were also needed.

Here's a pic of what it looks like.
http://www.tugnuts.com/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=78901

The controller installed under the seat.
http://www.tugnuts.com/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=78911

The rest of the install pic's I posted can be found in this photo album.
http://www.tugnuts.com/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=78898

 

[Brian 27 OB]

I had the same installed on my 27. Much better than fooling with the tabs. These boats are so sensitive to wind and people moving about, it’s nice not to deal with it. The trim indicators on the chartplotter are only on a couple random engine pages. Wish I could see them in my cruising setting, have you figured that out? I had Bennett’s system in the past on a couple boats and it was very similar.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

What was the total cost for the upgrade?


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[Submariner]

The trim indicators on the chartplotter are only on a couple random engine pages. Wish I could see them in my cruising setting, have you figured that out?

I set up this dashboard which I use a lot when just driving. I just added the trim tab position and pitch angle to it.

http://www.tugnuts.com/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=78931

 

[Submariner]

What was the total cost for the upgrade?

It was just shy of 1 boat unit. ($1000). I did the install work myself, took about 3-4 hours.

 

[ID1890]

How is the autoglide so far? Is it a worthwhile upgrade? I'm considering installing on our R25 OB, which we take delivery of in a few weeks. Are you going to do a Youtube on the install on your channel?

 

[Submariner]

How is the autoglide so far? Is it a worthwhile upgrade? I'm considering installing on our R25 OB, which we take delivery of in a few weeks. Are you going to do a Youtube on the install on your channel?

The short answer to whether it's worth it.. YES!

We took the boat from Everett to Edmonds to Kingston and back to Everett 2 weeks ago. Smooth as glass getting there, and 2-3 foot seas coming back. That gave us some good run-time in adverse conditions as the Autoglide also knows what bad seas are and adjust accordingly. Got some pretty cool footage off the 360 camera on the bow. We also ran up to Hunter Bay, East side of Lopez island for a night on the hook. (about 100nm round trip).

This past weekend though was the best test. We went from Everett to Prevost Harbor, Stuart Island (146nm round trip).
We are working on a video for our YouTube channel about the auto glide. I filmed some stuff this afternoon on our way back. Hopefully our new mic's worked. I don't think it's going to save me on gas, but kinda, It may... For cruising up on plane and even slowboating, it operates the tabs so I don't have to. It does a waaaayyy better job than I ever could. Where I do think the gas savings is, is getting up on plane. I've got a video from last year where I recorded our speed/time to plane. We did another one today with the Autoglide. I haven't had a chance to review the footage yet and look at the timestamps to put a number on it. But I can tell you after driving 15+ hours now with Autoglide, the boat pops up on plane much faster. Noticeably faster. It also puts me up on plane without twisting the boat all the way over to port. I just adjust the engine trim to 3 or 4 dashes and hit the throttle to 4500RPM and voila... I'm skimming across the water at 25kts.

The boat ride is a lot more comfortable, the boat stays level a lot more. (it still rocks and rolls, after all, it is a boat). But people can move about the cabin, it figures it out and adjusts automatically. Getting up on plane quicker was key to me, as I was contemplating exploring like a 5 blade stainless prop to lower my top end and pick up hole-shot but I really didn't want to re-prop. Autoglide surprised me in that it solved that for me.

I don't touch the trim tabs at all. I just drive.

 

[ID1890]

Sounds good. Did you use the Lenco Kit Without GPS Antenna or Network - For Single Actuator Trim Tab Systems
Part # 15504-101?

 

[Submariner]

Sounds good. Did you use the Lenco Kit Without GPS Antenna or Network - For Single Actuator Trim Tab Systems
Part # 15504-101?

Lenco kit without GPS and without Network for a single actuator is the kit I used. You have the correct part number.
In addition, you'll need this L bracket: Lenco Auto Glide Control Box Mounting Bracket - SS - 70568-001
You will also need another NEMA 2000 T to tap into your network. I had to buy a 4 drop T to replace 3 single drop T's as I ran out of horizontal space to add just another T to the network.

 

[ID1890]

Thanks.

 

[Rocky Lou]

Looks like a very interesting product. I would consider had I not gotten a Lenco switch, with Trim Tab LED indicators, since my switch died after less than a year of usage. I would caution, at least those with a boat similar to my CW C302 that the install was very difficult. I watched it be done by the co-owner of my service dealer who normally does electronics installs in less than half the time of a qualified technician. He is a contortionist who had to insert his had in many places that mine would never fit and said it was very challenging, even for him. He did it in an hour, but, said most boats would be done in 15 minutes. He had to access the AC panel and switches behind the helm (In head). It's great having the LED indicators since I had no idea about tab positions with the old switch.

 

[awa]

Great job!

We are having the Bennett equivalent of your Lenco system installed within the next 3 weeks and would like to ask the size of your trim tabs. Our 2020 C-28 came with 12” x 12” plates which, frankly, are woefully inadequate. Bennett advises 12” x 24” minimum, or if transom space will not allow, a 12” x 18” with drop fins. Did you upgrade tab size and if not what size are currently on your RT that is giving you such great performance.

Thanks,

 

[Submariner]

Did you upgrade tab size and if not what size are currently on your RT that is giving you such great performance.

The tabs are factory. I've not modified them in any way. They seem to work fine given their size.

 

[Submariner]

Spent some time this afternoon on a roller coaster going through Admiralty Inlet down around Possession Bar. The auto glide was a big improvement over this crummy sea state Helped me plane as slow as 15kts to scoot through some of it. 7-9kts through other parts of it. It also kept the bow level and down so I could see.

 

[ID1890]

After reading Submariner's posts and asking him a few questions, I purchased and installed the Lenco Autoglide on our 2021 R25 OB. Took the boat out today and calibrated, and wow - what a difference! As advertised, the boat gets up on plane quicker, the ride is smoother, and observed fuel consumption dropped at normal cruising speed. Install is fairly straight forward/plug and play (with some helpful advice from Submariner). One difference between the R27 and R25 installs, is that on the R25, you have to take out the refrigerator to get access to the Lenco keypad and wiring. A very worthwhile upgrade in my opinion.

 

[Submariner]

That's fantastic!! Glad to hear you got it all installed. I don't even pay attention to the trim tabs anymore. I just drive the boat. The R25 having the same layout as the R23, I bet install on an R23 would be nearly the same as what you experienced.

 

[tedli357]

Hi Submariner,

I have been thinking about doing the Lenco autoglide upgrade after reading and watching the video. I have a 2020 R27 OB with the new helm seat style like yours. However, like PLBart had mentioned in his thread "Diesel Heater R-27 OB", there is no cutout under the seat. I have removed the microwave and there seems to be enough room for me to squeeze in to position the autoglide module in a similar position. Would I be able to access all the wiring connection necessary for completion from below the throttle control station (dark brown) ?

Regards,

Ted

 

[Submariner]

Without having the seat cutout on the top, the only way to access would be thru the microwave that I’m aware of. A head lamp and another person to tug on cables under the throttle would be helpful. They were not zip tied or anything. They are lying loosely in the outboard forward, away from the diesel heater. Gently tug on them to identify them and dig em out. It’s somewhat of a knot, but loosely tied. Gently tugging on them they were easy to get at.

The good news is, all the cables you need to access in that cramp space are quick disconnects. If you reach under the throttle control, unscrew the big plastic nut that holds the Lenco manual switch, you’ll be able to have someone gently tug on those cables. That’s power, port and stbd trim tab connectors you’re looking for. They are all quick disconnects.

Nema2k will be a new cable you’ll have to run, but that’s easy. You’d just push it up from below the microwave access and pull it out from under the throttle then chase it forward to behind the helm. It’s also a quick disconnect. I removed the 4 switch panel (horn, windlass, wipers). 4 screws and a quick disconnect. Then pull the Garmin out, 4 screws so you can modify the Nema 2k bus, unless you have enough horizontal space to just add another n2k T for Lenco to plug into.

The one cable you need to crimp, the ignition wire, that’s done from above. The original Lenco switch has a cable that goes to the ignition. Tug on the Lenco switch ignition wire under the throttle and pull them up. There’s enough slack so you can disconnect, crimp on the connector and push it back down, all from above the helm, from under the throttles . You would need to push up from below the new ignition wire from the Lenco controller.

I have a pic of the ignition wire in my photo album.
http://www.tugnuts.com/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=79468


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[Submariner]

Here's the video of the auto glide in action. Installation overview as well as sea trials of it.

INSTALLING THE LENCO AUTOGLIDE SYSTEM/on our Ranger Tug R27OB "Channel Surfing"
https://youtu.be/X31kHGXaLzQ

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Feedback…….with those that have installed the Lenco Auto Glide trim tab controls on there R23/25 or R27 I’d like to ask about your on the water experiences/satisfaction or disappointments with this product. I’m gauging whether this would be beneficial to have on our ordered R25OB.

Jim F