Tabs slow in working - The Hull Truth

Captn Hank · 04-03-2006, 07:27 AM

Tabman.... My 42' Post will be hauled out for bottom work next month. Wanted to know what maintenance should be performed on the trim tabs. They are now working real slow. Will only extend about 2". The rams are 2 years old, new pump was just installed last month.

I have the old joy stick type of controller. I just installed the new Raymarine E120 system on the boat. Can I interface the trim tab operation to the E120? How is the operation of the trim tabs displayed? Meaning, on a percentage scale, or a linear scale.

Heading to Bahamas in June, want to have everything working up to par.

Thanks inadvance...

Capt. Hank

Tabman · 04-03-2006, 03:12 PM

Capt. Hank,

Let's check the black ground wire at the back of the pump. Make sure it is clean both at the pump and where it connects to the boat's neg. 12 v system. Also check the orange power lead up at the joystick as well. Ifthey are a bit corroded they could be limiting voltage to the pump.

You will need to check with Raymarine to see if they have incorporated a Trim Tab display in the NMEA 2000 interface system of that unit. The electronic guys are the ones who can tell you if their system is set up for Trim tab display.

Let me know after you check the connections how the pump works,

Tom

Captn Hank · 04-06-2006, 10:55 PM

Tom..... Cleaned the connections.... working better. I have a mini, "goat rodeo", going on with the connections. Seems as though the previous owner, changed out part of the trim tab controls, and left the boxes under the consol on the bridge. There is another control box in the engine room, near the pump, that is wired now to the joy stick. Back to the consol, the newer switch, is disconnected. Wires are spiced from the joy stick to the harness, leading to engine room. I don't like the setup, but it's a back-burner issue right now. Thanks again....

Capt. Hank

Tabman · 04-06-2006, 11:21 PM

Great! Hapy I could be of some help.

Tom