Powering trim tabs while at their limit of travel ?

[baz]

There are times when I want to reset my trim tabs to be fully extended and sometimes to be fully retracted. To do this I either press the two trim tab buttons simultaneously to fully extend or fully retract the tabs. As I don't know the exact position of the trim tabs I keep pressing the two buttons a sufficient amount of time to satisfy myself they are positioned where I want.

My question is... does it harm the actuator in any way to hold the buttons down for longer than is necessary ? That is, will the hydraulic pump or the lines or the actuator be compromised by excessive use when the actuator is fully extended or retracted ?

When I'm docked with engine not running I can always detect the pump's noise level (it kind of changes to a whine) to know when the actuator is fully extended or retracted. When on the water with engine running I cannot use this as an indicator of trim tab limit positioning.

Thanks... 🙂

 

[PhilR]

I do the same thing.....and now the trim tabs breaker keeps turning off....don't yet know why.

 

[knotflying]

I do the same thing. I believe that Bennett sells an add on that will retract the tabs automatically when you shut down. And then there is always the added feature of a tab indicator.

 

[mspaugy]

I have a tab indicator on a small boat, dont know who makes it or anything but it works great.

 

[baz]

I do the same thing.....and now the trim tabs breaker keeps turning off....don't yet know why.

I hope my posting did not prompt you to keep pressing the buttons that caused your breaker to trip.... it was not my intention to have others do the same as a test. However, Mike has posted he does the same thing and did not indicate any issue with his trim tab breaker tripping.

 

[Todd]

I am not sure that all Rangers use the same trim tabs. Mine is a R29 with hydraulic tabs. Running a hydraulic pump against a fully retracted or extended cylinder will not hurt it as the oil passes through the bypass relief valve in the pump when the pressure exceeds a set limit.

When I had my boat on the trailer I timed the full extension and retraction of both tabs, about 15 seconds. I just hold the switch for about 20 seconds and maybe a bit longer to retract them fully.

Bennett makes several controls for their hydraulic trim systems, available in West Marine catalog. Some have indicators, some do an automatic retract and one will automatically keep your boat in trim based on pitch, not sure I like that as with all the variables I don't think I want to have to fight with the trim computer every time I want something different. Anyway an upgrade is on my wish list and will investigate all the options when the time is right and make my choice based on cost, ease of installation, and what ever else I can think of at the time.