Ballistix
Well-Known Member
Mente Marines ACS+ Review
A friend of mine first mentioned this device to me and then a small article was presented in one of the Motor Boat Monthly magazines. If you don’t know what it is I’ll explain. Often, in my small but very much loved Doral 230CC, I would find myself planning at an off centre position. That is to say listing port or starboard side because of either wind, people placement or a combination of the two. In addition to this I would constantly have to tweak the power trim to ensure that the boat was planning at its most effective to ensure a smooth ride and the best possible fuel consumption.
The ACS system automates this process by using a number of gyros coupled with an intelligent software system that controls both the trim tabs and the power trim automatically to ensure the smoothest ride at any given speed.
I had another reason to try something like the ACS system. My wife is 7 months pregnant and although our boating is coming to end this season we wanted to make sure we made the most of the boat through to October, with the baby due in December.
I first researched the ACS+ and whilst there was some discussion over its use on various forums, including the MBM forums, no one had written a definitive review. All comments were positive and this was enough for me to take the plunge. Everything is the more complex for my installation, the Doral 230CC doesn’t have trim tabs, so I would need to fit these before the ACS+ could be used to full effect!
After sourcing the UK distributor for the unit (Keypart Ltd) I gave them a quick call and was put in touch with Kevin. We discussed the implementation and Kevin was both helpful and informative. We decided on the best tabs for the boat from Insta-Trim and ordered all the kit. Within 2-3 days the kit had arrived. I have to say my impression of the process so far was exceeding expectations, fantastic pre sales support and service so far!
On inspective the parts everything seemed in order. I had everything I needed, clips, wires, fuses and all of the major components were all included. The trim tabs looked good and this was my first focus area for the installation.
Trim Tabs Installation
I needed to find a spot on the transom that was as close to the port and starboard sides of the boat for the trim tabs to be most effective. Luckily I could “just” find somewhere that was clear of the bathing platform steps on the port side, all was good, lined up the tabs both sides and drilled several self tapping holes for them to be fixed to the transom. Larger holes were needed for the hydraulic pipes and I wanted to keep those above the waterline. I won’t focus too much on this part of the installation because I wanted to focus on the ACS+. Other than to say they are of very good quality and the installation was a breeze!
ACS+ Installation
With the trim tabs installed the next and most exciting part was the ACS+ system itself. The unit is small, by memory, probably 4x4 inches square and around 1.5 inches deep. It comes with a connection bank that is used to feed various wires to the trim tab control motor and the power trim. A small but very well constructed control panel also comes with the package and this needs to be placed around the control console on the boat. You can also purchase a fly-bridge panel if you require one.
Control Box and Panel
The first step was to sort out the wiring. I needed to feed in the 4 wires from the Insta-Trim system to the ACS controller and take wiring to both the power trim and the panel further forward to the helm. This was relatively easy for my boat because I could get to all the existing wiring channels and use them to thread the new wires.
My first mistake was to connect two wires from the controller to the power trim junction box at the power trim end of the circuit. The ACS+ system can detect a current change in between the power trim buttons and the power trim motor, I had connected my ACS system to the thicker motor wires on the power trim and this didn’t work. A quick email to both Keypart and Mente Marine resulted in my first contact with one of the designers of the system Peter Ostberg. Peter (within 24hrs) replied and suggested that I connect the wires from the ACS control box that are used to control the power trim to the smaller wires coming from my trim switch in the throttle handle at the helm. On doing this the ACS system detected the power trim and all was good.
At the other end of the installation it was time to find a place for the control panel. This was easier said than done, being a complete gadget geek I had already drilled various dials and switches in all over the place (done with the most impeccable taste of course!) and I had to find space for yet another fly-by-wire device! Eventually, moving the radio mic to the starboard wall I had my space (who needs a radio anyway... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif ).
Perfect! It was done. I simply had to wire up the panel and take a feed to the ignition positive somewhere behind the dash and we could start calibration. This is where I made my second mistake.
The control panel needs to be connected to the ignition so that it can detecte when it is turned off and then automatically raise the tabs. This was particularly important for me because my boat is on a dry stack and there is a chance if the tabs are left down that the fork-lift that is used to remove my boat would foul against them and cause significant damage. Another quick email and a suitably speedy reply rectified that issue and all was set for calibration (connecting it to the positive circuit of a dial did the trick).
Calibration
With all things double checked it was time to fire up the system. The ACS should detect the devices attached and start to test the thresholds of movement. Flicking on the ignition it would test the trim tabs and the power trim and you can watch the LED lights going up and down on the control panel as it went through the sequence. Fantastic! I couldn’t wait to get the boat in the water!
Sadly, weather and other events meant I would have to wait a week to get the boat into the water but I knew it was going to be worth it!
In the water Calibration
Well this is how the theory goes. You need to calibrate both the trim tabs and the power trim. The system predominantly uses the trim tabs and then the power trim in a secondary capacity. First off, we need to tell the ACS system what our preferred planning position is. Get out to the Solent and tell it! So off we went. I actually used the Southampton water to do this, much easier and no speed limit. I got to around 28-30 knots (my preferred fast cruising speed) and manually set the trim tabs and power trim to where I wanted it...it felt smooth and I decided that was it...So...over to the control panel.
I could see on the panel that the LEDS were asymmetrical but that was clearly needed to maintain my current posture. All you need to do now is hit the left and right buttons on the control panel for 4 seconds and it remembers the position. Simple as that.
OK, that was easy, next bit was to set the power trim. I found this to be more interesting. Basically it appears to register where the power trim is when you first calibrate the trim tabs. If you then change the power trim to “tweak” it the system will remember that position from then on. The system also does this with the trim tabs. If you find you want to adjust the planning position in any way a quick prod on one of the 4 position buttons will register a .3 degree shift in the system and from that point on it will remember the setting.
Summary and conclusion
After several outings now I can honestly say that this has revolutionised our boating. It’s smoother more effective and I’m sure it’s having a positive effect on the fuel consumption of the boat (I’m watching this and will report back over time). For instance. I can now plane at 13 knots?! My boat could never do that before and it just feels so smooth. I’ve also found a neat trick. When leaving Hamble Point I set the system to manual, this effectively means I have control of the trim tabs and I put both down fully shoving the bow into the water....then when I want to get on the plane...I throttle forward and at the same time hit the auto button on the ACS...it’s brilliant...maximum speed to plane. I can’t express enough how superb this is.
When you are on the plane a glance at the control panel will show you the LEDS moving up and down (if they need to) as the system constantly adjust the tabs to maintain your preferred posture. It really is amazing and it has changed my boating forever!
One of the cools things you can do is change the speed that it makes changes at. There are 3 settings 1 to 3. Setting 1 is for larger boats over 35 feet, this is the slowest position and this makes sense for bigger boats. 3 is the fastest and I set my ACS system to this. It makes changes faster and for a boat my size it is perfect.
As you can tell, I can speak highly enough of this system. It really has revolutionised my boating and made it the most comfortable for my wife given her state and the size of my boat. The service and support from both Keypart and Mente Marine is second to none. I come from a customer service background myself so feel qualified to pass praise.
If anyone is tempted to get this system then please do not hesitate in considering Mente Marine and if in the UK Keypart. Both have provided me with superb support for a superb system. Go on...revolutionise your boating. I promise you it will be one of the biggest positive installations you can make.
I have in no way any affiliation with either company by the way!
Regards.
TT
A friend of mine first mentioned this device to me and then a small article was presented in one of the Motor Boat Monthly magazines. If you don’t know what it is I’ll explain. Often, in my small but very much loved Doral 230CC, I would find myself planning at an off centre position. That is to say listing port or starboard side because of either wind, people placement or a combination of the two. In addition to this I would constantly have to tweak the power trim to ensure that the boat was planning at its most effective to ensure a smooth ride and the best possible fuel consumption.
The ACS system automates this process by using a number of gyros coupled with an intelligent software system that controls both the trim tabs and the power trim automatically to ensure the smoothest ride at any given speed.
I had another reason to try something like the ACS system. My wife is 7 months pregnant and although our boating is coming to end this season we wanted to make sure we made the most of the boat through to October, with the baby due in December.
I first researched the ACS+ and whilst there was some discussion over its use on various forums, including the MBM forums, no one had written a definitive review. All comments were positive and this was enough for me to take the plunge. Everything is the more complex for my installation, the Doral 230CC doesn’t have trim tabs, so I would need to fit these before the ACS+ could be used to full effect!
After sourcing the UK distributor for the unit (Keypart Ltd) I gave them a quick call and was put in touch with Kevin. We discussed the implementation and Kevin was both helpful and informative. We decided on the best tabs for the boat from Insta-Trim and ordered all the kit. Within 2-3 days the kit had arrived. I have to say my impression of the process so far was exceeding expectations, fantastic pre sales support and service so far!
On inspective the parts everything seemed in order. I had everything I needed, clips, wires, fuses and all of the major components were all included. The trim tabs looked good and this was my first focus area for the installation.
Trim Tabs Installation
I needed to find a spot on the transom that was as close to the port and starboard sides of the boat for the trim tabs to be most effective. Luckily I could “just” find somewhere that was clear of the bathing platform steps on the port side, all was good, lined up the tabs both sides and drilled several self tapping holes for them to be fixed to the transom. Larger holes were needed for the hydraulic pipes and I wanted to keep those above the waterline. I won’t focus too much on this part of the installation because I wanted to focus on the ACS+. Other than to say they are of very good quality and the installation was a breeze!
ACS+ Installation
With the trim tabs installed the next and most exciting part was the ACS+ system itself. The unit is small, by memory, probably 4x4 inches square and around 1.5 inches deep. It comes with a connection bank that is used to feed various wires to the trim tab control motor and the power trim. A small but very well constructed control panel also comes with the package and this needs to be placed around the control console on the boat. You can also purchase a fly-bridge panel if you require one.
Control Box and Panel
The first step was to sort out the wiring. I needed to feed in the 4 wires from the Insta-Trim system to the ACS controller and take wiring to both the power trim and the panel further forward to the helm. This was relatively easy for my boat because I could get to all the existing wiring channels and use them to thread the new wires.
My first mistake was to connect two wires from the controller to the power trim junction box at the power trim end of the circuit. The ACS+ system can detect a current change in between the power trim buttons and the power trim motor, I had connected my ACS system to the thicker motor wires on the power trim and this didn’t work. A quick email to both Keypart and Mente Marine resulted in my first contact with one of the designers of the system Peter Ostberg. Peter (within 24hrs) replied and suggested that I connect the wires from the ACS control box that are used to control the power trim to the smaller wires coming from my trim switch in the throttle handle at the helm. On doing this the ACS system detected the power trim and all was good.
At the other end of the installation it was time to find a place for the control panel. This was easier said than done, being a complete gadget geek I had already drilled various dials and switches in all over the place (done with the most impeccable taste of course!) and I had to find space for yet another fly-by-wire device! Eventually, moving the radio mic to the starboard wall I had my space (who needs a radio anyway... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif ).
Perfect! It was done. I simply had to wire up the panel and take a feed to the ignition positive somewhere behind the dash and we could start calibration. This is where I made my second mistake.
The control panel needs to be connected to the ignition so that it can detecte when it is turned off and then automatically raise the tabs. This was particularly important for me because my boat is on a dry stack and there is a chance if the tabs are left down that the fork-lift that is used to remove my boat would foul against them and cause significant damage. Another quick email and a suitably speedy reply rectified that issue and all was set for calibration (connecting it to the positive circuit of a dial did the trick).
Calibration
With all things double checked it was time to fire up the system. The ACS should detect the devices attached and start to test the thresholds of movement. Flicking on the ignition it would test the trim tabs and the power trim and you can watch the LED lights going up and down on the control panel as it went through the sequence. Fantastic! I couldn’t wait to get the boat in the water!
Sadly, weather and other events meant I would have to wait a week to get the boat into the water but I knew it was going to be worth it!
In the water Calibration
Well this is how the theory goes. You need to calibrate both the trim tabs and the power trim. The system predominantly uses the trim tabs and then the power trim in a secondary capacity. First off, we need to tell the ACS system what our preferred planning position is. Get out to the Solent and tell it! So off we went. I actually used the Southampton water to do this, much easier and no speed limit. I got to around 28-30 knots (my preferred fast cruising speed) and manually set the trim tabs and power trim to where I wanted it...it felt smooth and I decided that was it...So...over to the control panel.
I could see on the panel that the LEDS were asymmetrical but that was clearly needed to maintain my current posture. All you need to do now is hit the left and right buttons on the control panel for 4 seconds and it remembers the position. Simple as that.
OK, that was easy, next bit was to set the power trim. I found this to be more interesting. Basically it appears to register where the power trim is when you first calibrate the trim tabs. If you then change the power trim to “tweak” it the system will remember that position from then on. The system also does this with the trim tabs. If you find you want to adjust the planning position in any way a quick prod on one of the 4 position buttons will register a .3 degree shift in the system and from that point on it will remember the setting.
Summary and conclusion
After several outings now I can honestly say that this has revolutionised our boating. It’s smoother more effective and I’m sure it’s having a positive effect on the fuel consumption of the boat (I’m watching this and will report back over time). For instance. I can now plane at 13 knots?! My boat could never do that before and it just feels so smooth. I’ve also found a neat trick. When leaving Hamble Point I set the system to manual, this effectively means I have control of the trim tabs and I put both down fully shoving the bow into the water....then when I want to get on the plane...I throttle forward and at the same time hit the auto button on the ACS...it’s brilliant...maximum speed to plane. I can’t express enough how superb this is.
When you are on the plane a glance at the control panel will show you the LEDS moving up and down (if they need to) as the system constantly adjust the tabs to maintain your preferred posture. It really is amazing and it has changed my boating forever!
One of the cools things you can do is change the speed that it makes changes at. There are 3 settings 1 to 3. Setting 1 is for larger boats over 35 feet, this is the slowest position and this makes sense for bigger boats. 3 is the fastest and I set my ACS system to this. It makes changes faster and for a boat my size it is perfect.
As you can tell, I can speak highly enough of this system. It really has revolutionised my boating and made it the most comfortable for my wife given her state and the size of my boat. The service and support from both Keypart and Mente Marine is second to none. I come from a customer service background myself so feel qualified to pass praise.
If anyone is tempted to get this system then please do not hesitate in considering Mente Marine and if in the UK Keypart. Both have provided me with superb support for a superb system. Go on...revolutionise your boating. I promise you it will be one of the biggest positive installations you can make.
I have in no way any affiliation with either company by the way!
Regards.
TT
