Luigi
New Member
I have a 95 270 Sundancer, i called Bennett Marine who said that on some sea rays their Automatic Trim Control product does not work? Anyone install on a 95 270? Thanks....
Bennett Automatic Trim Tabs
- Thread starter Luigi
- Start date
Jimmy Buoy
Well-Known Member
- Dec 3, 2008
- 2,468
- Boat Info
- 2003 Cobalt 293
- Engines
- Twin Volvo-Penta 5.0 270hp & DuoProps
If you have hydraulic trim tabs, the auto trim tab system should work. Not sure if they are the electric tabs, but that's usually on relatively new boats.
I've had it on a 268 Dancer and then removed and reinstalled in a 32' Wellcraft. Worked well in both boats. Should have taken it out of the Wellcraft, but traded it in on my current boat! :smt013
I've had it on a 268 Dancer and then removed and reinstalled in a 32' Wellcraft. Worked well in both boats. Should have taken it out of the Wellcraft, but traded it in on my current boat! :smt013
Luigi
New Member
thanks, yes i have hydraulic tabs now..if anyone else can post additional info it would be greatly appreciated
Tabman
Member
Luigi,
I am curious what the person at Bennett said, I have worked for the company for over 10 years and really haven't heard that!
Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
Darylle
Member
I have a 94 230 da that I fitted ATC to and in calm conditions worked brilliantly but bring on some wind and small swell it switches itself off at the first sign of a list. I believe there is an inbuilt safety cut out which disengages the unit in a significant list. Whatever the margin is, in my opinion it is too "soft" I am very interested in hearing the reasons why the unit may not be a success on the Searays as the distributor did not provide this info!
Tabman
Member
Darylle,
How old is your ATC?
There is software in the system that will switch it off when it encounters extreme amounts of list, however it will normally function well in just about all conditions a recreational boater will encounter. I believe your unit may be not functioning correctly and I would be delighted to help you get it working properly.
I have been trying to think why a someone at Bennett would say that the ATC may not work on some SeaRay boats, and I have sent an e-mail to the factory regarding what Luigi posted.
I suspect that they may have been referring to that fact that on some SeaRays the Trim Tabs are undersized and may not have the surface area to make the corrections the ATC calls for at lower speeds. I have found that if you are able to make good corrections to the boat's attitude using the manual control, then the ATC will work well. But if the Trim Tabs are undersized the ATC may end up fully deploying one or both Tabs to their limit and will "time out" since it cannot properly correct the boat's attitude.
I hope this is of some help,
Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
How old is your ATC?
There is software in the system that will switch it off when it encounters extreme amounts of list, however it will normally function well in just about all conditions a recreational boater will encounter. I believe your unit may be not functioning correctly and I would be delighted to help you get it working properly.
I have been trying to think why a someone at Bennett would say that the ATC may not work on some SeaRay boats, and I have sent an e-mail to the factory regarding what Luigi posted.
I suspect that they may have been referring to that fact that on some SeaRays the Trim Tabs are undersized and may not have the surface area to make the corrections the ATC calls for at lower speeds. I have found that if you are able to make good corrections to the boat's attitude using the manual control, then the ATC will work well. But if the Trim Tabs are undersized the ATC may end up fully deploying one or both Tabs to their limit and will "time out" since it cannot properly correct the boat's attitude.
I hope this is of some help,
Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
Darylle
Member
Hi Tom, Thanks for your reply I am currently experiencing problems with my ATC where once activated both "up" arrows flash simultaneously and the unit switches itself off. I have refered to the manual which only gives a scenario where "all" lights flash. Given this being our third season with the ATC I am a little concerned. Please keep in mind I am in Australia and getting reliable technicians or information is very difficult at times. I am also going to enlarge the stbd. tab plate for more surface area as I do feel the original units are marginal. Any assistance would be gratefully appreciated.
Darylle
Darylle
Tabman
Member
Darylle,
OK, in order to determine which version of the ATC you have can you tell me what the control looks like?
Here is the previous version
And this is the current version
Tom
Bennett Marine
OK, in order to determine which version of the ATC you have can you tell me what the control looks like?
Here is the previous version
And this is the current version
Tom
Bennett Marine
Tabman
Member
I almost forgot,
I would really suggest that you make both Trim Tabs the same size instead of enlarging just one side.
Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
I would really suggest that you make both Trim Tabs the same size instead of enlarging just one side.
Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
Darylle
Member
Tom,
Yes I will enlarge both and are you suggesting I may be on to something? I have the invoice which is dated 12/01/10 so yes it is the current model. The supplier was Harrold marine invoice # 49388. Thanks
Yes I will enlarge both and are you suggesting I may be on to something? I have the invoice which is dated 12/01/10 so yes it is the current model. The supplier was Harrold marine invoice # 49388. Thanks
Tabman
Member
Thanks Darylle,
If both "up arrows" are flashing the ATC is indicating that it has raised both Trim Tabs to the full up position and it will time out and not make another correction until it senses more "bow up" attitude.
Have you tried resetting the "zero point"?
I may not reply until tomorrow, it's Saturday night here!
Tom
Bennett Marine
If both "up arrows" are flashing the ATC is indicating that it has raised both Trim Tabs to the full up position and it will time out and not make another correction until it senses more "bow up" attitude.
Have you tried resetting the "zero point"?
I may not reply until tomorrow, it's Saturday night here!
Tom
Bennett Marine
Darylle
Member
Yes of course I've tried resetting the zero point and no I do not expect an imediate reply. The vessel is on the trailer atm and after I've gone over the helm connections I might try adjusting the tabs manually to give it a pretend serious list and then power up the ATM and see if it works. Do you think I will get a result here?
Tabman
Member
Sorry, I had to ask about the zero point, I never know if someone has done that or not.
Unless you can move the boat to create a list you will not get a correct response. The ATC does not "know" where the Trim Tabs are, it responds to changes in the boat's attitude.
One way to simulate a list is to unscrew the control module and tilt it slightly. Before you do that set the zero point with the boat on the trailer. Then put both Trim Tabs at about mid-range. Turn on the ATC and simulate a slight list to starboard by tiling the module a little bit. The system should start lowering the starboard Trim Tab to correct, slowly at first. Then it will put it down more and and a bit faster until it is all the way down. Since the boat is not responding to the Trim Tab input once the Trim Tab is all the way down it will time out after a while and the starboard up arrow should flash. You can do the same thing for a port list. Keep in mind that if you change the fore to aft attitude of the sensor while doing the port and starboard tests it may lower or raise both Trim Tabs to try to correct for that as well. Using a small shim to tilt the module while it is on a flat surface works well.
Darylle, what do you consider a "serious list"? I think that the ATC turns off at 30 degrees (it may be less than that, I am home right now and will check the specifications Monday morning when the office is open).
Tom
Bennett Marine
Unless you can move the boat to create a list you will not get a correct response. The ATC does not "know" where the Trim Tabs are, it responds to changes in the boat's attitude.
One way to simulate a list is to unscrew the control module and tilt it slightly. Before you do that set the zero point with the boat on the trailer. Then put both Trim Tabs at about mid-range. Turn on the ATC and simulate a slight list to starboard by tiling the module a little bit. The system should start lowering the starboard Trim Tab to correct, slowly at first. Then it will put it down more and and a bit faster until it is all the way down. Since the boat is not responding to the Trim Tab input once the Trim Tab is all the way down it will time out after a while and the starboard up arrow should flash. You can do the same thing for a port list. Keep in mind that if you change the fore to aft attitude of the sensor while doing the port and starboard tests it may lower or raise both Trim Tabs to try to correct for that as well. Using a small shim to tilt the module while it is on a flat surface works well.
Darylle, what do you consider a "serious list"? I think that the ATC turns off at 30 degrees (it may be less than that, I am home right now and will check the specifications Monday morning when the office is open).
Tom
Bennett Marine
Tabman
Member
While you are checking the system can you please confirm that the ATC Module is mounted on a flat surface (it doesn't need to be perfectly flat, but within 5 degrees or so) and that it is parallel with the center-line of the boat?
I know this is a basic question but I want to make sure.
Also, you mentioned that you were going to enlarge the starboard Trim Tab, I am assuming that they are both currently the same size. Is this the case?
Thanks,
Tom
Bennett Marine
I know this is a basic question but I want to make sure.
Also, you mentioned that you were going to enlarge the starboard Trim Tab, I am assuming that they are both currently the same size. Is this the case?
Thanks,
Tom
Bennett Marine
Last edited:
Tabman
Member
One last thought before I turn in; when the boat is listing in the swells does it tend to veer off course to port and starboard? Some boats, particularly when the swell is coming from aft of the beam will tend to "bow steer" if the bow is trimmed a little to far down. Water pressure on the immersed forward sections of the hull will cause the boat to shear off to one side or the other, leaning over in the process.
One way to tell if this is the case is to manually raise the Trim Tabs and also use the power trim to raise the bow a bit. If the boat has been bow steering doing this should reduce or eliminate the effect. Bow steering may be exacerbated by any play in the steering system as well.
Ok, enough information for one night. Let me know what you find.
Tom
Bennett Marine
One way to tell if this is the case is to manually raise the Trim Tabs and also use the power trim to raise the bow a bit. If the boat has been bow steering doing this should reduce or eliminate the effect. Bow steering may be exacerbated by any play in the steering system as well.
Ok, enough information for one night. Let me know what you find.
Tom
Bennett Marine
Luigi
New Member
its Luigi again...I called and spoke to a women who checked with a technician, they referred me to sea ray, by that i mean they told me to contact sea ray to see if their product would work..to be honest as soon as i mentioned that i had a sea ray she right away gave me the impression that im going to have to do a little investigative work to see if the ATC is going to work on my 95 270
Tabman
Member
Hello Luigi,
I spoke with our Client Services department today and found out what happened. The person you spoke with was incorrect in saying that the ATC system may not work with some SeaRays.
They may have been thinking about a relay type switch system that has been used on some models (your boat would not have it). They did not know that even if the boat has this particular type of switching system the ATC may still be easily installed by making the electrical connections between the relay box and the Bennett Hydraulic Power Unit (pump).
SeaRay would not be able to help if you called them, as they are not very familiar with the connections for the ATC.
We apologize for any confusion this may have caused you and have made all of our Client Services team aware of this.
I have heard from many SeaRay owners who have installed the ATC with great results and I would be delighted to assist you with any questions you may have.
Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
I spoke with our Client Services department today and found out what happened. The person you spoke with was incorrect in saying that the ATC system may not work with some SeaRays.
They may have been thinking about a relay type switch system that has been used on some models (your boat would not have it). They did not know that even if the boat has this particular type of switching system the ATC may still be easily installed by making the electrical connections between the relay box and the Bennett Hydraulic Power Unit (pump).
SeaRay would not be able to help if you called them, as they are not very familiar with the connections for the ATC.
We apologize for any confusion this may have caused you and have made all of our Client Services team aware of this.
I have heard from many SeaRay owners who have installed the ATC with great results and I would be delighted to assist you with any questions you may have.
Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
Darylle
Member
Tom,Darylle,
OK, in order to determine which version of the ATC you have can you tell me what the control looks like?
Here is the previous version
And this is the current version
Tom
Bennett Marine
OK I,ve checked all connections and yes I am happy the control module is mounted flat and oriented correctly as per the instructions. The existing t/tabs are identical sizes and have now been enlaged a little to confirm any improvement. I am also aware of "bow steer" particularly with boats of narrow beam and a relatively deep vee and yes I have tried leg adjustments. The steering "play" I can now discount as I checked a brand new vessel which has identical travel as ours. The ATC symtoms are as follows; on power up the unit raise both tabs simultanously ( up arrows flashing) and continues to do so for about a minute and then shuts down. Even when I lower both tabs manually on power up the ATC raises them. We are planing a trip this weekend and ideally I would like to have any operation issues resolved prior to our trip. Thanks
annie
New Member
- Feb 11, 2010
- 338
- Boat Info
- 1997 Genesis 320 Euro, 8120 Navman GPS,
- Engines
- twin 150hp Volvos on DP legs
Hi Tom and Darylle,
Great forum guys. I too have a 230DA and it drives me nuts trying to keep things on the straight and narrow. I have to run my boat at maximum trim over 3500rpm to keep it steerable!...Please keep us informed if this system helps as there is little or no info in New Zealand. Good customer service is hard to find these days, well done Tom.
Great forum guys. I too have a 230DA and it drives me nuts trying to keep things on the straight and narrow. I have to run my boat at maximum trim over 3500rpm to keep it steerable!...Please keep us informed if this system helps as there is little or no info in New Zealand. Good customer service is hard to find these days, well done Tom.
