dereknkathy

so that's why my hatch ram and trim tab pump are both gone. i've been wrong on here before, prolly will again. my bad...

Lenny

Don't want to hijack somebody elses thread but I'vw got a problem with my Bennetts too. I have an '85 Aquasport CCP purchased new that I realized right away was going to need trim tabs. That tells you how long they've been on the boat. This year I started having problems with them not working. My fishing buddy has put on a few pounds. I found that one of the relays wasn'y closing so I just replaced the HPU with a new one. Also one of the actuators. Here's the problem. With all this new nothing is moving. The new HPU runs. I've pulled the old four button switch and nothing looks corroded. The two batteries are new Deka 800CCA units and are both charged. The ATC fuse looks good. Can somebody tell me where to look for a solution?

Tabman

Lenny,

Here is a link to a video that covers the system overview and basic troubleshooting http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/videoplayer.php?vID=10

Here is a link that covers the pump running but the Tabs don't move http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/videoplayer.php?vID=22


Make sure that both ends of the ground wire at the pump are good and clean, since low voltage can cause the solenoid valves not to open.

Below you will find troubleshooting you can print and take to the boat. Step 3 and 6 are a good place to start.

Let me know what you find and I will be delighted to help you get them functioning properly.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

Fluid: Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) any type. Hydraulic Power Unit is self bleeding, running the Trim Tabs up and down 3-4 times will purge air from the system.

Fuse: 12 volt system use 20 amp in-line fuse on positive. (24v & 32v use proportionately smaller)

Red= Port Valve
Green= Starboard Valve
Blue=Motor Forward (pump pressure)
Yellow= Motor Reverse (pump retract)
Black on HPU=Ground
Orange on Helm=Control Positive

Troubleshooting

1.If one side is not operating reverse hydraulic lines on the front of the Hydraulic Power Unit to determine if the malfunction is in HPU or actuator / hydraulic lines. If after reversing the lines symptom shifts to the other side the malfunction may exist in HPU. If the symptom remains on the same side, malfunction may exist with the actuator / hydraulic lines

2. Is the unit receiving a solid 12 volts? Low voltage will some times cause the solenoids to not open preventing the tabs from moving even though the pump motor is running.

3. Conduct the following test:
Remove the wires from the helm control and touch together as follows:
Operation=Reaction
Orange (+), blue, red= Port trim tab down
Orange (+), blue, green=Starboard trim tab down
Orange (+), blue, red, green= Both trim tabs down
Orange (+), yellow, red= Port trim tab up
Orange (+), yellow, green=Starboard trim tab up
Orange (+), yellow, red, green= Both trim tabs up

If the trim tabs function correctly for each wire grouping then the switch is at fault. Also note that any loose or missing screws on the back of the switch (whether a wire is connected there or not) can cause the pump to malfunction.

This test may also be done right at the pump by substituting a "hot lead" for orange. There is usually a connector to the wire harness within a foot or so of the pump. You want to check this connection for corrosion. You may wish to cut the connector off on the pump side and try the test on bare wires.

4. If you suspect corrosion on the wire connector near the pump, cut it out, test as above and reconnect using butt splices.

5. If you conclude the problem is in the pump, contact me. Bennett Trim Tab Systems carry a five year warranty.

6. Check to see if there is a relay in line on the wiring harness near the hydraulic power unit. If there is it is an Interrupter Relay (IR1000). It prevents the system fuse from blowing if you try to actuate one trim tab up and the other down at the same time. After you test as outlined above, try removing the relay from the wiring harness and retest the unit.(Note: the interrupter relay is no longer used in current Bennett Trim Tab systems and has been replaced with a Switches that "lock out" preventing a blown fuse).

Lenny

I've done all this. I removed one of the batteries from the port side of the boat and using clip leads went from the battery directly to the connector on the HPU, bypassing the switch and harness from the console. Went through the combinations for port and starboard, up or down and still nothing. This is a new pump and one new actuator. The new actuator is on the starboard side, same side as the HPU so it's the shortest hydraulic line. Seems to me that at least that one should move. The HPU is to the full line with ATF.

Tabman

Lenny,

Just to be sure have you done step 3 right at the pump, making sure there is no relay there?

Tom
Bennett Marine

Lenny

Yes...as I said above I disconnected the pump right at the HPU connector and did the testing straight off the battery. To my knowledge there is no relay in the system. It's old chrome switch with four buttons, about 10' of Bennett cable and the HPU but I bypassed all the old components. Battery voltage on my meter was 12.7V. It's not probable that both hydraulic lines or actuators could be clogged with something. The new HPU is from Ocean Electronics in North Carolina.

Lenny

One other thing. I disconnected the trim tabs from the actuators to make sure they still had movement. I moved them up and down by hand so they're not binding.

Tabman

Ok most of the old four button switches had the relay. If you are sure there is not a relay and you did step 3 right at the pump then send me your name, address and phone number in a private message and I will arrange to send you anew pump.

Tom
Bennett Marine

Lenny

Unless the relay is an integral part of the switch or internal in the HPU there's no relay. I've sent the PM.

f_inscreenname

Tell me they ain't great!
Name one other company that would do that? One?
Tom you are the man!