Auto trim tabs

[Nick_H]

I've noticed the Windy needs lots of tab adjustment to keep it running level, I guess due to the very deep V hull, so I quite like the idea of fitting the bennett auto tab control. Anyone used them and have any feedback, in particular what happens when the boat banks into a turn, does the tab control try to level the boat during the turn? I assume not, but can't find any reference to that issue on the bennett web site.

 

[gjgm]

hah.. funnily enough, I ve thought about that too, but then I thought maybe I m not a serious enough boater. Be thinking of autopilot next. In fairness, its more in the Solent where all those damn sailing boats get in the way, and the change of direction means the trim is out again. But other than that, ie more constant distant cruising, its not an issue.
Seems very cheap, especially from USA side. Did talk to Bennett USA last year about it to check quite what parts, and they were very helpful.Didnt find many thoughts about it on the net, other than a few USA chaps, but I wasnt sure they didnt also want autostart and autosteer (and autofish)
But this is excellent news Nick. I dont need to test the copper or the trim system !!!

 

[neale]

I've noticed the Windy needs lots of tab adjustment to keep it running level, I guess due to the very deep V hull, so I quite like the idea of fitting the bennett auto tab control. Anyone used them and have any feedback, in particular what happens when the boat banks into a turn, does the tab control try to level the boat during the turn? I assume not, but can't find any reference to that issue on the bennett web site.

Not sure about the Bennett version but the version that works with the QL tabs that I have uses GPS to determine if the boat is turning. If it is it won't try and level the boat until the turn is completed.

 

[David2452]

Had the Bennetts on our last boat, they worked well and I never noticed the boat being any flatter in turns, but that doesn't mean they weren't trying to level it. I found it quite a distraction having to constantly adjust as we had to on our boat and fitting them certainly reduced the need to do that.

 

[poltergeist]

Trying doing a search on Mente Marine - fitted their auto trim tab control system to my Eltrims (it caters for other systems) at the beginning of the year, and it did wonders for my Sealine S28, which sometimes seemed to flop one way, then lollop the other while on the plane. It is a superb system that is very well made and is fully automatic in use. It detects through a wireless engine rev sensor, when you are up on the plane, and once the memory is set for your own personal boat attitude, it will endeavour to do it's very best to keep it there. Through some kind of fuzzy logic, the control system even detects when you are making a turn, and it won't attempt to rectify the trim until it knows the turn is completed.

It also is supposed to save you money, as it optimizes the time taken to get over the hump - I know my boat also planed at speeds lower than it did when the system was entirely user controlled.

Price for the kit was around 500 quid for the control box and control panel. If you are interested, ask for Kevin at Keypart - he is the guru & they are the stockists.

 

[spannerman]

Just fitted the Mente system to my boat as its a deep V and quite sensitive to wind and folks moving around, I have the ACS + system which also can control the power trim so it maintains optimum running angle, I have always been a die hard 'lets do it manually and be in full control' but having tested a few different boats that we sell with the Mente system I am a convert, you just drive and completely forget about trimming the boat as its always right, the beauty is you can switch back to manual with one button press and trim it yourself, but you won't as it gives you one less thing to think about and fiddle with.

 

[rosssavage]

I have the Bennett system on my Princess 385, and it works very well. It is a reasonably low tech system, it uses a capacitive type attitude sensor with no moving parts to fail, but it does not have a GPS input to determine if you are turning or not.

Having said that, in use it makes small gradual adjustments, so unless you are driving round in an endless circle, it generally doesn't have time to alter the trim during a turn. Further, if the boat remains heeled beyond a certain angle (I can't remember what that angle is!) or for a prolonged period, it disconnects and flashes lights at you.

Again, one simple button press to disengage, and you can override simply by pressing the normal trim switches if for some reason you need to.

It is a great system - once you have the boat trimmed you press the 'Set' button and this trim is maintained, and memorised after power off. To set a new angle, trim the boat with the manual controls and press 'Set' again.

The only thing I would like it to have is more than one memory - say one head sea and one following sea, as I trim the boat very differently for each, but this is only a small issue. In general it makes life much easier... open the throttles, hit 'Auto' and the boat looks after itself, trimming for roll and pitch.

 

[Nick_H]

Thanks to all for the info, i'm now convinced on the benefit, so just need to decide which system. Mente system is £500, but Bennett's own system is half that and seems to work in the same way. I'm not too fussed about it adjusting the outdrives, as I don't really have any issue with fore/aft trim or porpoising, I just want it to keep the boat level, so anyone used the Bennett system?

 

[Nick_H]

Thanks Rossavage, that sounds like what i'm after, so i'll go for the Bennett sytem and if it affects the turns then i'll just switch it off at play time.

Gavin, I agree it's not a huge problem, but it feels nicer when the boat is trimmed properly, so for £250 it's worth it IMO. I'll report back on how effective it is, or come over and try it when you're in the area.

 

[BartW]

interesting post Nick,

have exactly the same situation on my Karnic.
for that price, and with the input from this threat,
will put the bennett ATC also.
will keep you informed about our experiences,
(probably not before the next season )

 

[alt]

Wonder would there be much work in installing these to work with the Eltrim system installed on Sealines?

 

[poltergeist]

Wonder would there be much work in installing these to work with the Eltrim system installed on Sealines?

On the Mente system, you simply do away with the original fascia mount Eltrim control box, and wire the Mente Controller in it's place. The controller will live under the fascia, and you have a lead coming from it, with a new surface mount trim tab display with all the buttons on it. This is smaller than the Eltrim unit that sat on the dash, so I used the old unit as a template, and made a mounting plate up out of an old piece of dark tinted hatch cover, and mounted the Mente control panel on that.

See photo - Mente unit is visable between the steering wheel.

 

[alt]

Thank's a lot for that, but surely there's more to it than that?

How does it know revs of engine (to know you're on the plane) and if your boat is at an angle etc.?

 

[Nick_H]

I don't think it needs to know the revs, it just knows the attitude of the boat. If you're trying to get on the plane, then the unit would register that the bow was too high, and would apply tabs, which helps you to plane, so that's fine.

 

[poltergeist]

TBH, I know little more than I have explained above - other than it is easy to connect up, and works to the point of forgetting it's operating ( you just take it for granted after a while!)

Therefore, you may be better looking here - http://www.mente-marine.com/

 

[gjgm]

Nick, from what I recall, the Bennett trim indicators have been modified, and we have the olde school version. I think you need to make sure you get the right link between the magic box and indicators. Bennett did tell me which one, but perhaps give them a call just to check, as I think otherwise you get the new kit.
Actually, I did get as far as ordering it, but got so frustrated with the USA credit card system that I gave up trying to pay.

 

[spannerman]

The Mente system is as easy to mount as Poltergeist says, I fitted mine this week to an existing Bennet system, the control panel exactly covered the hole from the old switch, I ran the new control cable back to the engine room and mounted the control box literally next to the trim pump thus keeping the wires carrying the current to the pump as short as possible.
It does monitor the engine revs and I can only guess it does it by perhaps detecting the alternator speed via the electronic noise it makes like you here on a radio that isn't screened properly, as this is the only system common to diesel and petrol motors.
It detects the running angle for setup and when you are turning by means of yaw, pitch and roll sensors (read more at www.mente-marine.com) .Uk distributor is Keyparts Ltd
Because it knows the revs it can drive the flaps down to keep you on the plane at slower speeds, and also to get you plane quicker, retracting them automatically as the revs build.
Its really quite clever and can connect to everything out there including Volvos Ql interceptor tabs.