Volvo QL Trim Tab Fault - Here We Go Again

[pistonbroker]

Hello all. A long shot but here goes. This system has been well discussed and appears to have some fragility issues. I had to replace an interceptor two years back, these things happen. I'm not really in the market to replace the system just yet, but may well do so in the future. I have fault code EC 2 (SB side 3 & 4 flashing LEDs on the control panel) which suggests a comms fault.

The SB interceptor is stuck down, and the PT interceptor will not move at all and is currently stuck in. Have tried giving the SB one some "encouragement" but to no avail. If I swap the SB and PT connectors around on the control unit nothing changes other that EC 2 goes to EC 3 (same as EC 2 but PT side 3 & 4 flashing LEDs on the control panel). I have checked the cables as per the manual, but short of doing any continuity checks at this stage.

So to the question: Has anyone had a control unit fault (the box that accepts all the plugs from the interceptors and the control panel itself? Does the description above sound similar to what you may have experienced and that replacing the control unit resolved the problem? Just want to try and narrow down as best as I can to ensure I change the correct part. The interceptor of course is boat out adding more expense...

Is there anyway to test the control unit - it appears to be a moulded unit with no access to do any basic fault finding. I can of course do point to point continuity checks on some of the harnesses which I will do next weekend.

From the manual.
- EC 2; Flashing: LED number 3 and 4 on port side are flashing. Error: Indicates that no communication is detected between the control unit and the interceptor(s) on port side. Action: Check so that the cable(s) between control unit and the interceptor(s) are connected properly. Check so that the cable(s) are not damaged.

Thanks for any help in advance!

 

[Andyroonot]

Hello all. A long shot but here goes. This system has been well discussed and appears to have some fragility issues. I had to replace an interceptor two years back, these things happen. I'm not really in the market to replace the system just yet, but may well do so in the future. I have fault code EC 2 (SB side 3 & 4 flashing LEDs on the control panel) which suggests a comms fault.

The SB interceptor is stuck down, and the PT interceptor will not move at all and is currently stuck in. Have tried giving the SB one some "encouragement" but to no avail. If I swap the SB and PT connectors around on the control unit nothing changes other that EC 2 goes to EC 3 (same as EC 2 but PT side 3 & 4 flashing LEDs on the control panel). I have checked the cables as per the manual, but short of doing any continuity checks at this stage.

So to the question: Has anyone had a control unit fault (the box that accepts all the plugs from the interceptors and the control panel itself? Does the description above sound similar to what you may have experienced and that replacing the control unit resolved the problem? Just want to try and narrow down as best as I can to ensure I change the correct part. The interceptor of course is boat out adding more expense...

Is there anyway to test the control unit - it appears to be a moulded unit with no access to do any basic fault finding. I can of course do point to point continuity checks on some of the harnesses which I will do next weekend.

From the manual.
- EC 2; Flashing: LED number 3 and 4 on port side are flashing. Error: Indicates that no communication is detected between the control unit and the interceptor(s) on port side. Action: Check so that the cable(s) between control unit and the interceptor(s) are connected properly. Check so that the cable(s) are not damaged.

Thanks for any help in advance!

I’ve had a few of those fail-not as many as tab failures, but certainly a handful or so over the years.

You’ll have the sockets for the optional 2nd tab on port & stbd, but do these extra sockets have any pins inside?

Where are you based?

 

[pistonbroker]

Hey Andyroonot, good suggestion about the 2nd tab option. For some reason I thought these may operate the additional interceptors in series rather than parallel so didn't think to give them a go. I'll check for the pins. Nice day today so may even get down there later on

I'm based at Wallasea.

 

[Rangerman]

These are great when they are working, I have two on my boat. Trouble is water gets to the tiny motor that drives them up and down and that shows as a comms error and it stops them working. You cant fix them by taking them apart so you have to buy a new one @ £250 a go! I have them but not by choice.

 

[pistonbroker]

These are great when they are working, I have two on my boat. Trouble is water gets to the tiny motor that drives them up and down and that shows as a comms error and it stops them working. You cant fix them by taking them apart so you have to buy a new one @ £250 a go! I have them but not by choice.

I agree they work well, certainly on my boat. There are advantages such as no hydraulic system, etc. But I had Bennett tabs on my old boat for many years and not one problem or leak. May have to make a hard decision at some point.

 

[Jamie Dundee]

Same as happened to mine. I dismantled the units, water in one motor and a stripped plastic cog in the other, the motors are ‘sealed’ with an inadequate smear of sealant. System now replaced by Zipwakes which are far more substantially built.

 

[NC11]

Great to find this thread. I have a 34ft Jeanneau without any trim tabs of any kind. I was going to go with the Penta interceptors as I'm beside a Penta workshop.
Is it worth it to go for Zipwake? Or whatbout some standard tabs that were usually sold with this boat?

How much could I expect a workshop to charge for an install?

 

[pistonbroker]

Same as happened to mine. I dismantled the units, water in one motor and a stripped plastic cog in the other, the motors are ‘sealed’ with an inadequate smear of sealant. System now replaced by Zipwakes which are far more substantially built.

I had an interceptor fail before and had leds 6 & 7 flash. Do you recall what fault code you had? Was it 6 & 7 or did you have 3 & 4?

 

[Jamie Dundee]

I had an interceptor fail before and had leds 6 & 7 flash. Do you recall what fault code you had? Was it 6 & 7 or did you have 3 & 4?

I couldn’t be certain but I think they were at/near the top, nearly 3 years ago. They really are shoddy when you dismantle them, no wonder they fail. I went for Zipwakes as they are a very similar fit although unfortunately the screw patterns don’t match so I had to seal the existing holes and drill new, transom like a (well sealed!) sieve

 

[Jamie Dundee]

Great to find this thread. I have a 34ft Jeanneau without any trim tabs of any kind. I was going to go with the Penta interceptors as I'm beside a Penta workshop.
Is it worth it to go for Zipwake? Or whatbout some standard tabs that were usually sold with this boat?

How much could I expect a workshop to charge for an install?

If you buy the VP (I thought they’d been discontinued?) you’ll need the workshop

 

[pistonbroker]

I couldn’t be certain but I think they were at/near the top, nearly 3 years ago. They really are shoddy when you dismantle them, no wonder they fail. I went for Zipwakes as they are a very similar fit although unfortunately the screw patterns don’t match so I had to seal the existing holes and drill new, transom like a (well sealed!) sieve

Cheers Jamie, gives me something to work with.

Those zipwakes are expensive!

 

[Jamie Dundee]

Those zipwakes are expensive!

Yeah, but heading back to harbour with a 40* list due to a stuck tab ain’t much fun either