Nhi,

The Auto Tab Control is a great add on, it takes over operating the Trim Tabs to keep the boat running at its best attitude. There are several members here that have it installed and I hope they will chime in.

I think that the ability to adjust the outdrives in combination with the Trim Tabs will always give the best efficiency, and that the Trim Tabs do not replace the power trim.

The Auto Tab Control is a "stand alone" system and cannot be interfaced with Smartcraft.

Let's see what the others have to say!

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

I added the Automatic Tab Controller this winter on my 250DA. I've only been out in the boat a couple of times with it but I like it a lot so far. The tab controller is great when people move around the boat.

When I first bought my boat the trim gauge senders were not working properly I was able to trim the drive mostly by looking at the speedometer. The trim sender kit is less than $100 and I remember paying for about two hours of labor. I use the drive trim in combination with my tabs almost constantly.

 

First - remember Sea Ray has a tendency to put on too small trim tabs - so ATC might work - or it might not. It does not work on my friends 240 where I installed them due to "lack of size". So size does matter.... So consult your trim tab size with Bennett recommendations before you start.

IF your tabs are within Bennett recommendations - then go ahead - works great - especially if your boat is slightly "unstable" to begin with.

But get your normal drive trim indicators fixed - they are important as well.

 

Great! Copy that!


I can get the trim gauge sender kits for about $80 ea from amazon. But I read here somewhere from someone saying a rebuild kit is also available. Not that I wanna cut cost in material, but I was thinking if I can rebuild, then it'd be easier for DIY.

Thoughts, advices? I don't know where the rebuild kits sold yet though.

I'll measure & post my tab size later so Bennett can comment on that as well.

 

Still have yet measured mines yet. But for a 280, what the minimum tab size for the ATC to work well? What's optimum?

Also, I saw Bennett also has the Electronic indicator too. Isn't that included in the ATC? Is it needed if it's not included? Confused still!

Thanks

 

Here is a link to the sizing chart at the Bennett website: http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/trimtabkits.php?cID=1

The Electronic Indicator Control is not included with the ATC nor is it required for the ATC. The EIC includes the ATC functionality if you go that way.

 

I would love that on my rig but I am scared as the tabs seem small to me.

LK

 

I just measured my tabs. They're 14x14. Are they big enough for ATC?

 

Well if you wash your boat in boiling water and it shrinks - they might be...

22'-27' (6.7-8.3 m)

Twin I/O or Twin Outboard

18" x 12" (46 x 30 cm)

Your boat is 31'1 so really should have been

28'-34' (8.5-10.4 m)	Limited Transom Space or Extra Lift	36" x 12" (91 x 30 cm)
28'-34' (8.5-10.4 m)	Twin I/O or Twin Outboard	24" x 12" (61 x 30 cm)

so surface area compare:

14x14 = 196 sq inch

24x12 = 288 sq inch

Bennett says "1 inch of span pr. foot of boat" as rule of thumb with 9 inch span. So ideal would be maybe 31x9 - which is 279 sq inch - so therefore the 24x12 is close with its 288 sq inch - but maybe little less effective since span matters more than chord.

 

Ohh - and they MIGHT work fine for ATC since your beam is 9'5 so not as unstable as the 240 with 8'6. But if you install - be prepared to "replace" your tabs with larger ones. I think Tom/Tabman can guide you to a part number just for the new tabs. I think pumps etc can be reused.

 

Tom is taking a vacation. . Jk

 

I'm here!

The best way to tell if your Trim Tabs are big enough for the Auto Tab Control to work effectively is if you feel that you get acceptable results when you use them manually. If you feel that you get a good level of control using them while at your usual range of cruising speeds then the ATC will be able to as well.

But many SeaRays do benefit from fitting larger Trim Tabs (if there is room) particularly at the lower range of their cruising speeds.

Large Trim Tabs will actually cause less drag since they will not need to be deflected as much to make the same amount of lift as a smaller ones.

If you think you may benefit from larger Trim Tabs, see if you can post a photo of your Transom and Tabs and I will be delighted to take a look.

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

Hi Tom,

I will disagree with you there. I can trim the 240 Sundancer - but ATC cant. It keeps hunting and throwing the boat to far to compensate - then throws the other way. But a 240 is a very lively boat.

 

Hey Kaz,

Over the years I have found some boats that react like that, If I recall Luhrs made a few boats that did that with the ATC. I can only give basic info, so hearing from an owner like you is always good!

I can't remember if we spoke about it before, and if it was the older version or the current version of the ATC.. We have found that letting the bow run a bit higher when using the ATC can be helpful in these situations.

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

Well I'm not the owner - just the poor sod who recommended the owner to get ATC It is a very high centre of gravity boat the SR240 Sundancer.

 

Thanks Tom.

I'll take a picture of it tomorrow. I haven't been out and experienced enough to tell if the tabs are helping.

Can anyone else who has similar boat as mine comment on this? Would a ATC be helpful for my boat without changing the tabs (sized given, which is 14x14).

I remember it's pretty tight back there because of the twin outboard setups.

 

Here are the pictures of my boat's tab.

 

Dont have any comment about your tab size, but I would think you want the tie-down strap inside the trim ram & up against the hull so its not putting pressure on the tab system.

 

At 12" x 14" (This is a custom Trim Tab made for SeaRay) it is pretty good, we used to make lots of 10" x 12" Trim Tabs for SeaRay and this is an improvement over that size. It does not look like there will be room for larger ones.

How do you feel the boat reacts when you use them?

I agree with GrandMaster's comment about the tie downs!

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

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.

 

Are you using the stock tabs?

LK

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Cool... your answer beat mine. Not to mention better informed than mine.

 

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.