Volvo Blade Trim Tabs

[Hurricane]

A friend of mine has a Windy 25 and is trying to install QL blade style trim tabs - he is also having problems posting on these forums - I'll see if I can sort him out and get him to join in these discussions later. However in the meantime he has this problem which he sent me on the email.


[ QUOTE ]
Mike - thanks for the enclosed. I tried to post this message on the MBM forum earlier but it not seem to accept my posting ?

Have recently been seeking to install Volvo QL trim tabs on a windy25. Obtained the volvo system because they looked simple and easy to install. BUT first of all there was an electrical problem which meant one of the blades went up (but not down - to get it down you had to switch the connection around!) Dealer sent out a new middle station which has now been installed: BUT there are continuous intermittant faults:

port blade jams / does not respond - instead blade jammed error code occurs

Port blade does not retract when you switch off the engine

I am keen to be out on the water NOT trying to get this system to work. Hence have concluded this system is not fit for the purpose and should be removed from the boat? Whereupon you have to ask the question - is it really necessary to have any trim tabs on a 25 ft (40 knot) planning boat- afterall you can still use the engine trim? Feedback on the importance of trim tabs would be appreciated?


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Has anyone got any ideas - I believe that the dealer that supplied him has already offered a full refund but what would you do?

 

[segaerta]

I understood from the dealer / mechanic that maintained my boat that he's not really keen on these blade trim tabs. Appearently not easy to install and quite some problems. Not sure if it's a one off or others have same feedback ?

 

[wakeup]

Has he got the EVC system?

I have just had these installed and they require an additionanl relay off the ingition system on the EVC beacuse the ingnition switch circuit can't deliver the required amps to the control head so relay used off the 6amp ingition circuit to switch 8amps to the control head from the main cicuit. There are PDFs on the volvo site that describe this. Sounds like it could very well be the problem especially as the unit doesn't retract when ingition is switched off. Also ask him if he followed the calibration procedure on dry land first otherwise sensors will be out of sync. He could try the calbration procedure again anyway by going through a full reset. BUt defintely check the power delviery/ignition off detection circuit as there is known problem with EVC and same might apply to EDC.

 

[wakeup]

Other thing to check is that the mounting area is completely flush, if it is more than 2mm adrift then the blade unit will flex and potentially jam. The port blade jamming and displaying an error jam code could indicate that is hasn't been installed flush. I had to had shims made to make the transom square enough before the blades could be mounted. These have had great reviewd in the US on boats much larger boats than 25ft so they should be fit for purpose.

 

[Hurricane]

Thanks for your comments.
The boat is out of the water at the moment so it the tabs are accesable.
I went over to see him about three weeks ago and he had not actually fitted them to the boat - just trying to get them to work before cutting any holes etc.
It was after this that the supplier replaced the middle station.

Now a question.
The supply wire to the control head (according to the instructions) should be connected to the engine key switch (I think he has a single EDC setup - and not EVC). We didnt connect the red wire from the head to the key switch - instead found a separate switched supply off the same batteries. I assume that this red wire just provides a means of control switching the tabs and that the main supply is the feed to the middle station. From memory, the tabs will retract when the supply to the control head is removed.
Have I got it wrong?l

 

[wakeup]

No you've got it right, the supply from the key switch is simply to detect when the ingnition has been turned off so it can then retract the blades, so it sounds as though your installation should have worked. Just been out on mine, it works really well indeed on a 28 ft 3.5 tonnes

 

[Hurricane]

In your view, should he persist and get it working or quit now whilst he can still return them?
Thanks.

 

[wakeup]

Well I can only compare it to a bennet tab system that I have piloted and I beleive this to be better. It remains to be seen if it more reliable but it appears to perform better that traditional tab system. However the best system for your pal is one that works and at the moment he obviously loosing faith in the blad system.... all I can say is one that works is great , accurate and quick.

 

[Hurricane]

Thanks very much - might be worth persevering.
We'd appreciate opinions from any others????