Knowing when the trim tabs are fully retracted on R29 S/CB ?

[baz]

Subject: Knowing when the trim tabs are fully retracted on R29 S/CB

On my previous R-25 Classic I could always know when my trim tabs were fully retracted by the change of the sound the pump made as the trim tabs retracted to their fully up position. On my R29 CB even when the boat's engine is not running and in the quietness of my slip I find it very hard noticing the sound change at the point the trim tabs are fully retracted. Of course, when under way there's no chance of hearing the pump noise at all.

So how is it possible to know when to remove my fingers off the trim tab's rocker switch ? For the time being when solo I have to over compensate by holding the buttons down for what I think is the right amount of time and then scoot to the stern and make a visual check. If I have 1st Mate with me I can ask them to give me a signal when they hear the pump noise change in its sound level.

On the R27/OB that has electric operated trim tabs a nice feature is that when engine is stopped the tabs auto retract all the way.

Sure would be nice if on the R29 S/CB there was a better way to know when the tabs are fully retracted.

Even when on the water after having adjusted the port and starboard tabs to trim the boat one really has no idea where each trim tab is positioned at. So to resolve this one has to fully retract the tabs as best you can when under way and start over again with the trimming activity.

I'm not saying this is a serious issue, but would like to come up with a solution or technique that would alert me to the trim tabs being fully retracted without having to make a visual check.

 

[Rocky]

Barry,
I have the same issue. It can be frustrating. The only input I have for you is this. Kenny told me, during orientation, that it takes "....about 15 seconds for the tabs to move the entire travel of the hydraulics." I have used that tidbit to help me estimate my "button time" but I am not sure it really helps much. I have also never watched (or listened or timed) the tabs while having someone else presses the switch.

I have thought about a retrofit to install a Tab Position Sensor. In the little research I have done, it does not look like a good time to install, and frankly it probably isn't worth the effort for me.

It isn't much, but it is all the help I have on this.

Rocky

 

[bob daily]

Berry
Bennett NMEA 2000 trim tab indicator kit about $150-$200
Something to look at!

 

[ixlr8]

Berry
Bennett NMEA 2000 trim tab indicator kit about $150-$200
Something to look at!

Hmmm. The Bennett site says this is not compatible with Garmin units??!! A review says on an older Garmin, a 10xx series, the Garmin sees the unit but will not display the tab position. Maybe the info on Bennett's site is old and it would work on the newer Garmins. A call to Bennett would be in order to check this out before ordering. At a price of $105, it would be nice if it did work.

 

[tugnnaweigh]

I timed my trim tabs on my R29, about 8 seconds from full up to full down and the same from full down to full up. I would imagine they go down a bit slower and up a bit faster underway. One thing I've never gotten used to is the time from trim tab input to boat showing the effect, always seems to lake longer than it should .

 

[BB marine]

The indicator kit works well. I have never interfaced them to a Garmin plotter. This is not saying that it can't be done. I installed the (Bennett Electronic Indication Control Display) This is a trim tab activator switch with indicator lights showing the position of the tabs. The price of the parts is minimal around $250.00 +/- depending on where it is purchased. The install can get a bit pricy if your not a DIY. It requires removal of the trim cylinder from the transom ,removal of the top cover of the cylinder and installation of a cover with sensor installed. Then pulling the wires to the helms. There is some labor cost involved in this install. It is a nice feature.

 

[bob daily]

Have any of you checked out the
Garmin GBT-10 Bennett trim tab adapter ?

 

[NautiTug]

I was just going to ask that Bob!

 

[bob daily]

Or you could go with a wireless auto backup / monitor system and mount the camera to the underside of the swim platform! I've got one in the horse trailer so the wife can check on her babys.
Dont know the angle of view so you might need one for each side, but at about $100 and not needing to run wires from stern to helm, and I have too much stuff on my German as it is!
Just a thought Bob

 

[baz]

I timed my trim tabs on my R29, about 8 seconds from full up to full down and the same from full down to full up. I would imagine they go down a bit slower and up a bit faster underway. One thing I've never gotten used to is the time from trim tab input to boat showing the effect, always seems to lake longer than it should .

I like this low-tech solution. Thank you. 🙂 I will time my tabs going up and down their full extent.

Yes, I agree that the response to the boat's attitude is kind of sluggish in responding to the trim tab positions. Yesterday, in very very calm waters and running at speed, getting the bow/nose down using the tabs was close to agonizingly slow - but was achieved to my satisfaction. The forces at play as the trim tabs are deployed is a bit tricky to determine. There's a lot of weight from aft cabin to transom and the 12º pitch of the prop shaft along with knowing where the CG is and the hull forces complicates the resultant force calculations. As boat speed is increased some of the forces increase with speed*speed (speed squared).

Given that my R29 CB is approximately 4000 lbs heavier than my previous R27/OB it does not surprise me that the thrusters and trim tabs on the R29 are more sluggish in their operations vs. the R27/OB.

 

[Scottfree]

I count to 10 while holding the switch... and I spent the$250 dollars on beer.