Mente Marine Auto Trim Tabs

[juggernaut1]

Just thought I would show a few pics of my install of the Mente Marine Auto Trim Tabs unit. It was hoped that I could report back on the units performance shortly after the install......however I had soon over indulged on Corona's shortly after the instal process with my dock neighbours :grin:.

So hopefully I can report back next weekend on the performance of the ACS.

For those of you who have not heard of the Mente Marine ACS - here's a link > http://www.mente-marine.com/

Without further ado:



Here's the original manual trim tab switches you would all be familiar with (minus the screws).



Back of the original switch panel (believe it or not this is actually after I had cut the trim tab wires from the switches).



This is what I am left with after the original switch module has been cut free.



Instructions showing the connections - obviously in this case we are following the Bennett wiring instructions.



I only had to file a couple of notches in the dash cut out to fit the new unit.



The new unit test fitted.



Here we have the back of the ACS unit.



Wired up according to the above instructions. Clearly much neater than the wire spaghetti on the back of the original switches.

The instructions called for a 15 amp fuse and from what I could deduce the original system runs a 20 amp re-settable breaker. As I hadn't changed the original wire gauge prior to the fuse I spliced in a 15 amp blade fuse just before the ACS unit - hence the connector you can see on the far right - all heat shrunk and glue line of course! Next to that I also had to run a negative which was pretty easy as there is a neg bus bar under the dash with a few spare places.



Fired it up.....then simultaneously pressed the tab down and tab up buttons in accordance with the instructions and the ACS runs into a calibration mode. About 30 seconds later and its all ready to rock and roll :smt001.

 

[mnm99]

Nice, I wish I had a indicator. I want to use the stock button , but can't find a indicator that with jive with it.

 

[Choctaw Bingo]

Very nice, interested on hearing how it worked out on the water.

 

[juggernaut1]

Very nice, interested on hearing how it worked out on the water.

Will let you know after this weekend.

 

[TNT8808]

If I can ask, how do you like your Mente ACS? I ordered the new Bennett Auto Trim Pro, but am sending it back as they just informed me that I have to install rods and senders also due to a engineering glitch. Any feedback you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

-Tom

 

[mnm99]

I figured it out. I installed new senders in the pistons. Now I can see my indicator on my Garmin 7610..:grin::grin:

 

[juggernaut1]

If I can ask, how do you like your Mente ACS? I ordered the new Bennett Auto Trim Pro, but am sending it back as they just informed me that I have to install rods and senders also due to a engineering glitch. Any feedback you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

-Tom

Hi Tom,

Currently on an 11 day boating trip to a local offshore island and I love the MM ACS in these conditions. I also loved the simplicity of this system to install, setup and use. There's no "black box" to install unless you are buying the dual helm setup. I also like the single button operation, ie if you want the port side down there is only a single button to press with the brains of the unit working out how each tab needs to be adjusted - no biggie but again simpler than the original two button operation. The auto function works very well and I've now tweaked it during the trip to my liking and now auto adjusts the tabs based on loads such as fuel, water, blackwater, provisions, etc. Curiously, I also tried it out in approx 2 metre following sea with some chop and the boat handled well in auto mode.

Between the auto pilot and auto trim tabs, the boat is a pleasure to operate on those longer trips in various sea conditions.

All in all the Mente Marine ACS gets my endorsement.

 

[TNT8808]

Thank your for all the info. I'm sending back the Bennett ATP, and ordering the MM ACS. I hope you have a great trip!

-Tom

 

[juggernaut1]

Thanks Tom,

Here is a review I found on Panbo.

http://www.panbo.com/archives/2016/04/journey_a_boat_with_the_right_attitude.html

 

[TNT8808]

That's awesome, and thank you again for your help!

-Tom

 

[juggernaut1]

No problems Tom.

 

[JVM225]

The Mente ACS looks interesting but I don't see any US distributors or US pricing.

 

[TNT8808]

You can just order from Mente Marine's online store http://www.mente-marine.com/store/

 

[BlueYonder]

I have had one of these for a couple of seasons. Looks like it is made by the same people with a different name on it.

http://www.lectrotab.com/products/automatic-level-control.php


It takes a little while to calibrate as it has a built in GPS that needs to lock on to the satellites. Once you have set a desired attitude, the auto mode will keep it there. It corrects for people moving about the boat and speed changes. I would not recommend the auto mode with a following sea. The bow will be held too low, and in the Cheasapeake Bay with the waves close together, this can get messy.

 

[juggernaut1]

BlueYonder, I have tested it in a following sea in auto mode with no problems. The Panbo review also mentions it retracts the tabs in auto mode in a following sea to keep the bow high.

 

[carlos aravena]

Hi, im looking into the bennet auto pro and now this sounds better, i saw that you didnt have indicators on your tabs, i dont have them either, all you need is the box? when i called bennet they said i needed more thing that just the controller, still having no issues with yours?

 

[spikedaddy99]

If I can ask, how do you like your Mente ACS? I ordered the new Bennett Auto Trim Pro, but am sending it back as they just informed me that I have to install rods and senders also due to a engineering glitch. Any feedback you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

-Tom

Now I see this. I just finished the install of the Bennet Auto control. What a nightmare getting my actuators off and adding the rods and sensors. Bennet looks significantly less expensive though. Mike

 

[carlos aravena]

how much did you pay? they told me it was going to be over $700 for me even though i had tabs already

 

[juggernaut1]

Hi, im looking into the bennet auto pro and now this sounds better, i saw that you didnt have indicators on your tabs, i dont have them either, all you need is the box? when i called bennet they said i needed more thing that just the controller, still having no issues with yours?

The Mente Marine trim tab controllers have been working perfectly since the day they were installed. Yes, all you need is the dash mounted controller and nothing else. Mount, wire in, let them auto calibrate and go boating . Can't be much easier than that .

 

[cskeller07]

How are you liking the Mente so far?

The bennett looks far more complicated and i really don't fancy drilling more holes in the hull for the trim tab position indicators, that to me is worth the extra price