Mente Marine Auto Trim Tabs

[juggernaut1]

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

Love this system and never had a problem with it - quality product. Simple to instal and use.

The Bennett system was still undergoing testing when I bought the MM setup, and as you point out, more hassle to instal.

 

[bobeast]

Dang it! Another boat buck bites the dust.

 

[carlos aravena]

Yeah, mente works perfectly and install was easy

 

[Sam Worsham]

Just placed an order for the ACS RP. I have been wanting to upgrade the tab switch for indicators. This seems like a great option as it is plug and play with an auto trim mode built in. Now I just have to wait for delivery from Finland.
I have the same boat as you, Juggernaut1. Looking forward to the upgrade. I'll report back after install for a review of the ACS in a lake setting.

 

[ocgrant]

Tom,

Dying to hear about this installed on the 48!!! Let me know I am interested. Just realized this was an old thread... Did you ever install this and what model did you use??

 

[TNT8808]

Tom,

Dying to hear about this installed on the 48!!! Let me know I am interested. Just realized this was an old thread... Did you ever install this and what model did you use??

Installed it on my 410DA, and loved it the one season I had it. Sold the boat in late October that year, and picked up my 48DA a couple weeks later. I've added 3" drop fins, and lengthened the tabs by 3" as well on my 48.

-Tom

 

[Tblokhus]

I just ordered the MM I am in Europe so expect it will be here in a few days. I have also been in contact with MM, great service.
I took apart the old system yesterday just to check the wire colour match the instructions even on a 2005 275DA.

 

[bobeast]

I just installed mine this past weekend. Installation was dead simple. Can't wait to get out on the water to test it out.

 

[FlyfishMI]

I just installed mine this past weekend. Installation was dead simple. Can't wait to get out on the water to test it out.

I’m considering installing this on our 2007 320DA. Which Mente unit did you choose? I’m considering the ACS RP but not sure if this is the correct application for my boat.

 

[Tblokhus]

I’m considering installing this on our 2007 320DA. Which Mente unit did you choose? I’m considering the ACS RP but not sure if this is the correct application for my boat.

That should be the right one. You can always reach out to MM great service.

 

[Tblokhus]

I just ordered the MM I am in Europe so expect it will be here in a few days. I have also been in contact with MM, great service.
I took apart the old system yesterday just to check the wire colour match the instructions even on a 2005 275DA.

Installed mine last weekend, easy installation, my wires was a bit short so needed to extend them.

 

[bfernald0]

Installed mine last weekend, easy installation, my wires was a bit short so needed to extend them.

I installed this on my 340 Sundancer. I used the Bennett autotab on my last boat. I've used the Mente Marine for one season. It's far superior to the Bennett product both in terms of ease of installation, ease of use and performance. My one complaint is if you start out in rough conditions I find it sometimes has trouble staying staying in auto mode. Otherwise, between this, the the autopilot, and the mercury DTS cruise control, the boat basically drives itself.

 

[bobeast]

That should be the right one. You can always reach out to MM great service.

Yeah. The RP is one I got. We need roll AND pitch control on our size boats. R only controls Roll, which doesn't help control bow rise.

 

[Sam Worsham]

Got the ACR installed on my 38 DA. Super easy. All of the wires plugged in without any issue. I did wire in an inline 15a fuse on the red power wire. The power wire was a 10 or 12 ga wire and would be a little difficult to get into the socket. Wiring in a 15a fuse on a 14 ga wire worked perfectly. I added a ground wire and ran it to the ground bus right behind the dash.
I did take the boat out after running the calibration at the dock. Once the preferred running attitude was found, I saved the setting to Auto. The lake was not very busy, but when I did cross over another boat wake, the auto would flash for a few seconds and then return to normal operation. I did encounter some side wind gusts and watched the control pad. I could see the tab that adjusted would have a flashing light as it moved. The boat would immediately level off and ran great.
Overall, I am happy with the ACR and would recommend it.

 

[juggernaut1]

Great to hear the installs have gone well.

I've not had the flashing in auto mode unless I'm manually overriding the saved auto setting. Perhaps it depends on the location and number of satellites in your area?

 

[Sam Worsham]

Great to hear the installs have gone well.

I've not had the flashing in auto mode unless I'm manually overriding the saved auto setting. Perhaps it depends on the location and number of satellites in your area?

I think that when the Auto flashes, it just goes into a pause mode for adjustments. That way, if the boat encounters a wake and it temporarily unbalanced, it stops the tabs from over adjusting to correct every change. Once the boat settles, the light goes back to steady and continues to fine tune the ride.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

I installed this on my 340 Sundancer. I used the Bennett autotab on my last boat. I've used the Mente Marine for one season. It's far superior to the Bennett product both in terms of ease of installation, ease of use and performance. My one complaint is if you start out in rough conditions I find it sometimes has trouble staying staying in auto mode. Otherwise, between this, the the autopilot, and the mercury DTS cruise control, the boat basically drives itself.

I've had the Bennett autotab system for years and use it often, but I'm curious about your comment. In what way do you find the MenteMarine system superior specifically with regards to "ease of use" and "performance"?

 

[juggernaut1]

I think that when the Auto flashes, it just goes into a pause mode for adjustments. That way, if the boat encounters a wake and it temporarily unbalanced, it stops the tabs from over adjusting to correct every change. Once the boat settles, the light goes back to steady and continues to fine tune the ride.

Yep, sounds logical

 

[bfernald0]

I've had the Bennett autotab system for years and use it often, but I'm curious about your comment. In what way do you find the MenteMarine system superior specifically with regards to "ease of use" and "performance"?

I had the first iteration of the autotab system, that did not have the gps and did not sense the tab position. It was more difficult to install, although not ridiculous. The thing I didn't like about it is that it didn't sense the tab level. Thus, it would adjust up or down tab, left or right, based solely on boat attitude. Once it ran out of tab on either side (attitude wouldn't adjust) it would start blinking on the right tab, I believe. You'd then have to reset it. Seemed to happen a lot. The Mente is easier to install, has gps built in, and somehow senses the tab position based I guess on the electrical resistance? I don't know. In any event, I had my doubts when I purchased it, but it really performs quite well, especially when you consider it's one piece, and is basically plug and play.

 

[Blown284]

Anyone here with a 46+ foot boat have this setup and if so, how is it working out for you? I've looked into the Bennett but this also looks like a viable option. Thoughts?