Eltrim Trim Tab Question

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joejo

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One of my Eltrim trim tabs has stopped working. I was wondering if it is the trim tab motor, the control unit, or some wiring issue which is causing this.
I thought that if I could run an independent 12 volt feed to the trim tab motor to see if it worked, then that would answer the question.

Five wires come out of the trim tab motor [numbered 1 through to 5], and my question is does anyone know which wires one should wire up to a 12 volt supply to test the motor? Just wondering if any other forum members have had a similar issue ?
 
As Nick said 1 & 2 are power (3,4 and 5 provide the indication to the helm panel). If you can get to the junction box in the engine bay and put a meter on 1 & 2 whilst also pressing the switches on the helm (i.e. very long arms or perhaps 2 people ;-))) you can check if the power is getting to the unit itself; the voltage gets reversed depending on up or down being called for. My initial problems before I had to replace the units due to water ingress was simply the push button switches on the controls had failed; just a small price from Farnell to replace. Hope this helps.
 
I had a trim tab problem on a previous boat (S23) and on replacing the uniit found that the connecting wires were tarnished black from the connector. When the wires were cleaned up it worked OK again. Never found out what the cause was, I hope your cure is so easy.
 
Thank you all for your comments, it is very much appreciated.
I did find one loose wire which when tidied up made no difference. I will try all the various suggestions in part or full.
 
Yep, I've had this problem, and it wasn't poor wire connections in my case but water ingress. If the little bellows over the ram aren't replaced water gets in and this is the result
TT1.jpg

tt2.jpg


They're about £200 from Trickett Marine. Hopefully in your case it's just a broken wire...
 
It turned out sadly that one of the motors was seized solid. I checked for voltage at the cable connector prior to each motor, and swapped the wiring over and the one good trim tab worked each time. Also put independent power source to each motor, again one worked the other did not.
Have just ordered new 12 volt unit from Trickett Marine who were very helpful, and a new pair of bellow’s, just my luck you cant buy bellows as a single item !
My thanks to all who responded.
 
I have an eltrim trim tab that appears to have stopped working. I am hoping that someone can help me with this. Should it operate if I connect a car battery to wires 1 and 2. Also, if it doesn't work, does anyone know how to open up the unit without damaging it to see if it is repairable.
 
AFAIK they can only be opened with a hacksaw. Putting them back together again then poses a problem... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Thanks for the info. I'm hoping I won't have to open it up as it operates when I connect wires 1 and 2 to a battery.
Does anyone know which of the other wires to connect to control direction so that I can test that the controls are working?
 
Eltrim trim tab wiring colour codes to numberered cables

Just fitted 2 x 12 volt Eltrim trim tab motors...

Cable no. 1 - White = direction + or - (opposite to wire 2)
2 - Red = direction + or - (opposite to wire 1)
3 - Yellow = position indicator
4 - Green = position indicator
5 - Brown = position indicator


Just bought 2 trim motors from Yacht Boat Parts.com cheapest I could find online and had plenty in stock at Deacons boatyard in Bursledon on the Hamble river by the big Force 4 Chandlery.

http://www.yachtboatparts.com/eltrim-trim-tab-motor-ram-actuator-12-or-24-volt-1150-p.asp
 
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