Trim Tabs breaker

P

PhilR

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 3, 2011
Messages
416
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Vessel Name
TUGALONG
My trim tabs breaker is tripping when I turn it on. Anyone have this problem? Any thoughts on the cause?
 
Well, my first thought is the obvious, a short somewhere. I would first switch out the trim tab wires with another breaker in the panel and see if that trips. If it does then you know your breaker is good. Then I would disconnect the unit from the power, turn on the breaker and see if it blows. If it does not then you know there are no issues from the panel back to the unit. After that you may want to call Bennett. They are excellent with customer service and perhaps they may know where to have you look after that.

Let us know how you make out.

Mike Rizzo
 
Phil,
Does the breaker trip before you use the trim tab switches? If so check the wire from the breaker to the trim tab switch for a short to ground. If you do not operate the trim tab switches then the power should not go further than the switches.

If it trips when you attempt to operate the trim tabs then it could be a short in the wire harness that connects the switch to the pump unit, a problem in the pump unit itself, or possibly a defective breaker.
You can try the tabs individually in different directions, this will send power down different wires in the harness to help isolate a short or problem in the pump unit. There are wires from the switch to the pump unit for pump up, pump down, port valve, and starboard valve.

The Bennett web site has troubleshooting information, installation manuals, wire color code charts, etc. I also discovered that they have a 5 year warranty.

Howard
 
Thanks for the input, Mike and Howard. The breaker trips before I operate the switches....must be a short. I'm still trying to figure out how I ended up with the port tab all the way down and the starboard tab all the way up. I'll be back at the boat in a few days and have at it.

Phil
 
Update: the breaker only trips when I operate the starboard side tab...no problem with the port tab. The Bennet tech thought it might be a bad switch....I bypassed the switch...the switch is not the problem. Tomorrow I call Bennet for further instructions.
 
Problem solved. Talked to Bennett, they sent me a green wire solenoid, I installed, works like a charm. I would have been happier if the wires/ connection were located in front of the unit rather than buried in the back....I guess everything can't be just right. I'm back in business, and there is one more job added to my "can do" list.
Phil
 
Glad to hear all is well. Bennett is very good at troubleshooting and getting you parts. By the way, the unit will slip up off a bracket and make getting to the wires and filling fluid much easier.
 
Thanks Mike. That's good to know.
Phil
 
Well...that fix was short lived. The tabs now fluctuate between nothing works...works inadequately...one works, the other doesn't. Added some fluid, things worked...until the fluid leaked out...now back to one works kinda, The other doesn't. So far, Bennett is ruining my summer. Guess I'll call the on site mechanic and beg him to fix it before winter.

Phil
 
Phil:

Were you able to locate where the leak is coming from? It would seem if there was a leak, that once the fluid drained down to a certain level the system would loose its ability to pressurize. I may be off base but thought I'd throw it out there.
 
I got tired of dealing with the tab problems...called Bennett....they are sending me a new pump unit. I hope that does the job.
 
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