Trim tab auto controller

Thanks for the comments. But I think the tie downs were sagged down because I loosen them up when the boat's home. When tighten, they should hover a bit above the struts. If not, I'll move them for sure. :)

Back to the tabs, Tom, when you said my tabs are pretty good. Do you mean I can use the ATC without having to change the new tabs?

I only took the boat out once for about 30 mins or so. So I didn't know how they react. :) I'm taking it out again this Saturday. What characteristics I should look for? ATC still recommended though, right? :) I'd just like to seat and steer the wheel, not having to worry about keep hitting the trim buttons every time.

Thanks
 
Nhi,

If you are new to using Trim Tabs take a look at this page http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/39630-Trim-Tabs-101-How-To-Get-The-Best-Results

It will walk you though how to get the best results with them. If you feel that you are able to get the boat running at its best attitude for the speed and sea conditions you are operating in under normal cruising conditions, then that is a good indicator that the ATC will work well.

Plus it is a very good idea to be comfortable using the Trim Tabs manually!

Tom
Bennett Marine
 
Hai Nhi, Put some hrs on your boat before worrying about the tabs. Your boat is not one that rolls around, it's very stable for it's size and requires little in trim tab adjustments. You should get your drive trim system repaired though...you'll use that daily for best results.
 
I responded to this thread about six weeks ago when I had only had my boat out a few times with the ATC in it. Now that I have made ten or so trips with the boat I wanted to update this thread. The ATC is a fantastic upgrade and I use it a lot. I never adjust the trim tabs while underway anymore. The 250DA is a fairly narrow beam which reacts to people movement on the boat and the ATC does all of the work now. I took me a little while to remember to turn it off when I come off of plane or make a significant course correction. This is one of the better upgrades that I've made to this boat.
 
No matter the size of the tabs, ATC makes it easier. It can't fix an under tabbed boat, but it will make the most of what you have without you having to fiddle with the tabs yourself. I have it on my 330 and its great. One less thing to think about while navigating etc. it's a really easy install on a Bennett system too. I wish I had it on my last boat, which was a deep v 25ft cruiser and was a bit sensitive to wind and weight and tabs were a pain to be constantly adjusting.
 
Phlorida said:
I responded to this thread about six weeks ago when I had only had my boat out a few times with the ATC in it. Now that I have made ten or so trips with the boat I wanted to update this thread. The ATC is a fantastic upgrade and I use it a lot. I never adjust the trim tabs while underway anymore. The 250DA is a fairly narrow beam which reacts to people movement on the boat and the ATC does all of the work now. I took me a little while to remember to turn it off when I come off of plane or make a significant course correction. This is one of the better upgrades that I've made to this boat.
Click to expand...

Are you using the stock tabs?

LK
 
I installed the bennett atc on my 280 and at first it worked well, after a short while the module gets confused and keeps the port trim arrow light on . I have to shut the system off and then restart again. Works great for planning. Maybe I picked the wrong place to install the controler? I ran it into the cabin and placed it flat under the amp.used a 4 strand cabled and extended the main control cable so it could reach.
 
sweet revenge said:
I installed the bennett atc on my 280 and at first it worked well, after a short while the module gets confused and keeps the port trim arrow light on . I have to shut the system off and then restart again. Works great for planning. Maybe I picked the wrong place to install the controler? I ran it into the cabin and placed it flat under the amp.used a 4 strand cabled and extended the main control cable so it could reach.
Click to expand...

Call or email Bennett to discuss this as that shouldn't do that. As long as the control unit is level and pointed forward you should be good to go.
 
sweet revenge said:
I installed the bennett atc on my 280 and at first it worked well, after a short while the module gets confused and keeps the port trim arrow light on . I have to shut the system off and then restart again. Works great for planning. Maybe I picked the wrong place to install the controler? I ran it into the cabin and placed it flat under the amp.used a 4 strand cabled and extended the main control cable so it could reach.
Click to expand...

Is it the up or down arrow? This is from the manual, "When one or both of the ATC Keypad’s trim tab direction arrows remains in the on mode, the ATC has determined one or more of the trim tabs has reached a limit. Unit resumes operation once the boat’s attitude changes."

If the boat is still running well the arrow solidly illuminated it really doesn't matter, it just means that a Trim Tab is all the way up or down and the system will not try to move it in that direction anymore until the boat's attitude changes "the other way".
 
I do not have this unit but I have studied and looked into it. Biggest thing that jumps out is that you extended the harness from the controller to the brain. The instruction state that this must be within 6ft. or less. Now it doesn't state NOT to extend the harness but it does say it must be within 6ft. Maybe attaching it to the amp cause some electrical interference?

I'm sure Tabman will see this and chime in.
 
sdarc said:
I do not have this unit but I have studied and looked into it. Biggest thing that jumps out is that you extended the harness from the controller to the brain. The instruction state that this must be within 6ft. or less. Now it doesn't state NOT to extend the harness but it does say it must be within 6ft. Maybe attaching it to the amp cause some electrical interference?

I'm sure Tabman will see this and chime in.
Click to expand...

I believe he extended the 4 color harness between the relay module and the control unit, and that is not an issue. The control unit is pretty immune to interference from other electronics and the AMP should not interfere with the accelerometer in it that determines attitude. But to be sure, simply switch off the AMP.

As I mentioned in my last post I think one Tab is "timing out" at the end of its travel.

Tom
Bennett Marine
 
I recently moved it into the cabin by the amp.. Before it was installed in the engine compartment on top off the fresh water tank. The movement back there was very little and the unit didn't feel much movement. That why I moved it into the cabin. The unit said to install within 6ft, but on the 280 dash there is no flat spot to lay it in. Bennett sells an extension , so I figured so long as it communicates it should be ok.
 
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