Trim Tab Issue

[savignr]

I was lucky enough to go Cruising on a Tuesday afternoon with no one on the water but on my way back I had a trim tab issue. My boat was listing heavily to starboard at 20 knots and I was unable to trim it correctly. If I slowed to say 7 knots I could see the effects of the trim tabs as I put both side up/down. When I got back to the mooring I tried to check the travel of the tabs.. I hear the pump but was unable to test the travel of the tab. I looked at the pump reservoir and it was on the low side.
Question:
1- How likely is it that low fluid level would cause this problem?
2- To save me from crawling back in, does anyone know that type of Hydraulic fluid I should add... ???
3- Any hints on how to open and refill the unit?

2003 32 Sundancer
6.2L V-Drive

 

[tginz]

1- How likely is it that low fluid level would cause this problem?
That I'm not sure. Trim Tabs are spring loaded in the "up" position. The fluid pressure makes them go down. Put some body weight on them and they will spring up and down. One could be stuck down for some reason???? I know from experience, after changing my system over to the Bennett EIC5000 system, that low fluid will allow one tab to drop and typically not the other equally. If I remember correctly, the tab closest the pump went down - furtherest tabs did not and got stuck probably from an air block. If all else fails, call Bennett directly - I can't say enough about their customer service. These people are outstanding and will get to the bottom of your issue OR they will replace the whole system. They do guarantee for life and they mean it.

2- To save me from crawling back in, does anyone know that type of Hydraulic fluid I should add... ???
ATF fluid. I use Mobil 1 ATF Tranny fluid.

3- Any hints on how to open and refill the unit?
Remove the top cover and the filler cap is self-explanatory. The true test is getting yourself to the unit, with a phillips head, with a funnel, with the quart of ATF, with a rag, - GOTTA love boating.....

 

[savignr]

Thanks TGINZ... Great Info
Just to update...for those that are interested..

I suspect that I had snagged something on my Exhaust System on the bottom of boat. I had a diver clean the bottom of the boat and he had not seen anything that would cause that problem so it must have come loose at sum point?????
Problem Cleared

I did add fluid to the Bennett Hydraulic Power Unit and I used a "Lady Clairol Applicator Bottle" and it worked great since the fill stack was very small. Didn't spill a drop but I did drop my Glass.

Here is the link to Bennett's Power unit
http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/trouble.htm

 

[tginz]

Glad to hear your back in business......Enjoy