Trim tab operation

[baz]

For proper trim tab operation is it required the engine be running ?

I wanted to start off from my slip today with the trim tabs in the fully up position. I operated them after turning on the 12v breaker and they seemed to operate and then mysteriously stopped operating. I messed about some and decided they were not operating at all. I then thought that they must require the engine to be running to maybe get some hydraulic pressure to the trim tab cylinders. Well, running the engine certainly allowed me to operate the trim tabs. 🙂

Will the trim tabs operate at all without the engine running ?

 

[j&lgray]

The effect of the trim tabs can only be felt with the boat moving. The tabs, themselves actually do not move that much on their transom mounted hinge and hearing or the feeling that movement while the boat is stationary will be quite limited.

On the Laurie Ann, the affects of the trim tabs are most evident when the tug is moving more than 8 miles per hour and we typically only use them when we are running at full speed or 3200 RPM's. Then we use them for both bow to stern movement and side to side trim.

 

[doke01]

The trim tabs should operate when the boat is not running. You should hear the whine of the pump and the whine should change (go higher) when the trim tab is in the full up or down position. Check your fuses. You may have blown one.

 

[baz]

The trim tabs should operate when the boat is not running. You should hear the whine of the pump and the whine should change (go higher) when the trim tab is in the full up or down position. Check your fuses. You may have blown one.

I'm assuming the fuse(s) are not blown as both trim tabs operated flawlessly with the engine running. I was able to position both tabs in their fully up position (pistons fully retracted).

Yes, without engine running I did hear the pump whine and the noticeable change in the whine noise when the tabs reached their up or down limit.

I raised the question here because without the engine running I found both tabs would move initially but after awhile making sure all was well and wanting both tabs fully up I found that the starboard side tab would not move up or down whereas the port one did. Very weird.... what is this a symptom of I wonder?

No matter, I will check fuses when aboard next. 🙂 Thanks.

 

[Ram]

For some time it seemed that my tirm tabs would go down, but the starboard tab would "slip" up some after operating at speed for a few minutes. I'd keep having to re-adjust the starboard tab.

I finally contacted Bennett, and their outstanding service guy (Thomas) sent me some parts to replace in the pump solenoids. When I opened it up I discovered that one of the sensors had been installed upside down! Turning it over fixed the problem completely.

As has been said, the tabs should operate regardless of whether the engine is running or not.

 

[baz]

For some time it seemed that my tirm tabs would go down, but the starboard tab would "slip" up some after operating at speed for a few minutes. I'd keep having to re-adjust the starboard tab.

I finally contacted Bennett, and their outstanding service guy (Thomas) sent me some parts to replace in the pump solenoids. When I opened it up I discovered that one of the sensors had been installed upside down! Turning it over fixed the problem completely.

As has been said, the tabs should operate regardless of whether the engine is running or not.

Thanks... 🙂 I will definitely thoroughly check the trim tab operation without engine running and if I find any anomaly I will be contacting Ranger (Andrew or Jeff) for advice and/or corrective action under the new boat warranty.

 

[Snug Tug]

Another experience with trim tab problems:

My trim tabs became intermittent starting last year and got really bad this year (the third year we've had the Ranger 25). After checking all the external wiring and even running leads directly from the battery to rule out any problems external to the unit, I called Bennett trim tabs directly and they had me send them the hydraulic power unit which they replaced under warrantee. They work great now. Fortunately, the warrantee on the Bennett trim tabs is 5 years. My symptoms were different than those described above. My unit would just stop working all together. It acted like there was an intermittent ground to the motor or bad brushes on the motor. Sometimes they would work fine, and then they would just stop dead and remain in whatever position they were stuck in. I could hear the solenoids clicking, but the motor would not run in either direction. Hopefully the new power pack will last longer than the first one!

 

[baz]

Spoke with Andrew this evening.

1. The trim tabs can be operated independently of engine. They just need battery power.

2. The trim tab buttons are kinda non intuitive. The two switches to right of helm seat are designed to operate as follows.

The left switch (one closest to the helm seat) operates the starboard trim tab and the other switch operates the port trim tab. When you think about this it's correct as the left switch will raise or lower the port side of the boat for trimming the boat's lateral position. Of course the tabs will also trim the boat's longitudinal position with bow down/up etc.