How to convert to Bennett

[orthoguy]

The boat I just purchased has Televator trim tabs and one actuator is leaking. Initially I thought the tabs were Bennett and I purchased a new Bennett actuator only to find out that although they are similar in appearence it was the wrong actuator.

Upon researching the Televator trim tabs, actuators or any parts for that matter are obsolete. So the question is, what exactly do I have to purchase to convert my current tabs to Bennett? Initally I didn't want to fill in old screw holes in my hull and start from scratch but it looks like I have to. Keeping the old plates intact, I guess I am going to have to retrofit the Bennett actuators to the Televator plates and then purchase separately a new pump, switch & actuators....is that about it?

Sounds costly but what else can one do :huh:

 

[Tabman]

Orthoguy,

I think you have been in contact with M.J. Thomas at our factory and he has given you some options regarding replacing just the actuators.

There is a complete Bennett System without the Trim Planes, part number V351HUC1E if you want to go that route. But check your e-mail, M.J. has sent you some more information.

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

[orthoguy]

Tom,

I had contacted M.J. and was confused about the actuator replacement, then I found parts for the Televator. I was going to buy the Televator parts but after thinking about it I decided to go back to my original plan of converting to Bennett since I already purchased the Bennett actuators and if a problem arises again I will have peace of mind knowing that Bennett parts are readily available!

It seemed like a lot of work converting the actuators to my current system so I figured as long as I had to do some retro fitting I might as well upgrade the entire system but using my current plates only. I like the fact that with the Bennett it has a reverse pump and doesn't rely on water pressure to raise the tabs which would be handy if the boat was out of the water and I forgot to raise them beforehand...with the current system, even though they raise somewhat out of the water they don't fully retract.

I will just buy the remaining parts I need and figure it out from the instructions and hope I can fit the actuators the the current plates, I know the mounting holes are off, I should just have to drill a new hole or two.


Thanks