Bennett Automatic Trim Tabs

[Vince_nj1]

I have been looking on ebay and they seem to be asking around $250.00 for the ac3000 controller.. I have asked a few questions about what the kit contains.... with varying answers. Just wondering if anyone has purchased these through ebay and if this price is fair, will contain everything i need? It's a shame Bennett doesn't sell online..... There's a market for you Tabman?

This is what was in my box. I included a pool ball to give you a sense of size. The key pad is smaller than what I was expecting.

 

[annie]

Thanks Vince, My kit is still winging its way to N.Z. Can't believe how small it is..... should have no trouble mounting that.
Thanks for taking the time to photograph.... much appreciated.

 

[Rohan]

Just wanted to know how easily the AC3000 will install on my 260 Dancer? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fwebster]

I am curious about the safety of the Auto tab system on smaller twin engine boats.

I was running a boat this week, not a Sea Ray, but similar to the 320DA with twin 6.2's. As we entered the channel on plane, one engine started misfiring and eventually went o about 4 cylinders. The auto tab controller proceeded to try to level out the boat and it was scramble city to maintain control as the engine ran on 8 then 4, then 8, then 6, then 8, then 4 cylinders etc. Had there bee normal summer traffic, I'm not sure what would have happened as we tried to get control of the beast. I ended up coming back to the marina off plane at about 1000 rpm. Just curious if any of you have had a similar experience.

 

[Banagy]

My kids purchased me the complete set of Bennett trim trbs for Christmas with the auto switch. Need to install them tis spring. Really need to grit my teeth to drill holes thru the transon.

 

[Rohan]

I have taken the plunge and bought the ac3000 controller online for about $225AUD (US$245). Hope to see them here in a week or two. Install (I hope) looks pretty straight forward. Any recommendations as to where to install the main module which needs to be near level and near to the dash mounted controls? Any other wiring anomalies I need to be aware of? Thanks in advance...

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Rohan,

I put my module behind the helm's instrument panel. It was not a level surface, but using spongetape layers I created a relatively level surface (which is all it requires). This was in close proximity to the existing trim tab controls and 12vt power. It really is a very straight forward installation.

Regarding Frank's question as to this unit causing some control issues, I have never had an issue and this is my third boat with the auto tab system. It works relatively slowly to adjust your boat's attitude, usually moving both trim tabs simultaniously (one up, one down) for 2-3 seconds then pauses for a about 2-3 seconds before making more adjustments. It's very much like a car's cruise control. When you get into a busy or abnormal situation just shut it off either on the unit's keypad or just by making any manual adjustments to the tabs. When conditions clear, just hit the on button and your back in business.

The manouver most likely to create any control issues would be a long high speed turn. The boat natually leans into the turn, but the auto tab system with immediately begin to adjust the tabs to cause the boat to be level. This really creates an weird sensation of sliding sideways and should you straighten your course quickly the boat will lean hard over in the opposite direction. It will take 10-15 uncomfortable seconds for the system to get the tabs corrected.