Auto trim tabs

[spannerman]

Just read with interest the article on Mente Marines autotrim system. I fitted their system to my boat 5 yrs ago and have been very pleased with it, I removed the old Bennett tab rocker switch panel and fitted the smart Mente switch panel, it then just required mounting the control module in the engine room and connecting to the original trim pump. My system is the ACS+ which means it will also control the drive trim so that was connected also.
It does what it says in the box and it detects with no physical connection to the engine the rpm so it gives full down at idle and after it climbs on the plane it retracts the trim tabs and starts to trim out the drive, you can adjust gains and has 3 different response modes depending on hull type and speed. When I take off the power it lowers the tabs and trims the drive in keeping the boat on the plane as long as possible, then at switch off does its auto retract.
My boat although fairly wide has a narrow footprint when on the plane and is quite sensitive to the passengers moving around or side wind, so this has proved a boon as although I normally dislike electronic interference this saves a lot of trim adjusting when under way, and as stated it knows when you are turning so doesn't fight back, it just keeps the boat nice and level when running straight ahead. And you can retune the running angles underway depending on sea state, not cheap but well worth the money.

 

[wipe_out]

I have been thinking of adding tabs to my Merry Fisher and also thinking about the Mente ACS but there seem to be very few actual reports on it so glad you posted.. The ACS is a bit pricy so may be a while before I do it and it will be with Lenco tabs because I can't access the back of the transom for hydraulic lines but it's compatible with electric tabs so no problems there..

 

[lynall]

Bennet auto trim tabs on mine.

 

[julians]

Lynall - did you retrofit the bennett auto trim tab system to an existing manual trim tab setup? If so what did you need to buy to do it? Its not entirely clear from the bennett website,but it looks like its just the AC3000 control system , which is only around £200 . Which looks remarkably decent value.

How well does it work? I could be tempted myself.

 

[rubberduck]

We had it on our previous boat which was a little underpowered, it got it on the plane quicker & kept her level, very good system IMO.
Apparently can't have it on new boat due to Volvo engine / system not being compatible ? besides she is far from underpowered. Was so good on previous one I would have again even though not really needed.

 

[oGaryo]

I fitted the ACS system to our boat last year and complained that at idle, only one of the tabs go all the way down thinking this was some weird glitch in the system, your post is a bit of a light bulb moment as I suspect it isn't weird at all and I have an issue with the RPM of the port engine not being detected.. time for a play with the electronics when next down the boat

Other than that, very pleased with the system

This is mine fitted to my impeccable standards

until a certain someone on the forum ruined it my forcing a sub standard backing plate upon me