System Specs and Troubleshooting

Note: If additional technical information or troubleshooting assistance is needed, contact
Bennett Marine's Client Services Department at (954) 427-1400 or e-mail info@BennettTrimTabs.com.

Actuators - Upper hinge material (part #A1103) made of flexible nylon. Remainder of actuator made of high impact fiberglass filled nylon.

Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) - HPU draws a maximum 18 amps (broken-in) and operates on 12 volts DC (except 24 and 32 volt HPUs). Approximately 22 ounces of ANY TYPE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) is required to fill the reservoir to proper level for single actuator installations. With the trim tabs fully retracted, proper fluid level is about 2" from the bottom of the reservoir.

The HPU forces both trim tabs full-up to full-down in 9-10 seconds, individually in 4-5 seconds. (Trim tab travel on dual actuator systems takes twice as long.)

Helm Control - Controls on 12 volt systems use 20 amp in-line fuse. (24 and 32 volt use proportionally smaller.)

Hydraulic Tubing - Tubing has 1/4" outside diameter and 1800 lb. burst pressure.

Red wire Port solenoid valve
Green wire Starboard solenoid valve
Blue wire Motor forward (pump pressure)
Yellow wire Motor reverse (pump retract)
Black on HPU Ground
Orange on helm control Positive

Diagram Number	Description	Part Number
1	Fluid reservoir	VP1139
2	#10 x 1" screw	H1180
3	Filler Stack	--------
4	Filler Plug	VP1140
5	Mounting bracket for HPU	H1179
6	Lexan cover	VP1138
7	Type 25 thread cutting screw	VP1154
8	Motor strap	VP1142
9	Solenoid valve	VP1135-R VP1135-G
10	Faceplate for HPU	VP1144
11	1/8" pipe to 1/4" tube connector	VP1146
12	Hex retainer	VP1141
13	Nut with ferrule	T1127
14	Hydraulic tubing (20' unless otherwise specified)	H1171
15	Tube bending clip	H1173
16	Female elbow	H1172
17	Pipe nipple (3" unless otherwise specified)	H1171
18	Upper hinge	A1103
19	#14 x 1-1/2" screw	H1174
20	Cylinder body	A1105
21	Piston with o-ring	A1109
22	Lower hinge pin	A1115
23	Lower hinge	A1113

25	Backing plate	varies with size
27	Hinge plate	varies with size
28	#10 x 1-1/4" screw	EH1071
29	Trim tab only	varies with size
30	1/4-20 x 3/4" machine screw	H1175
31	Wire harness (22' unless otherwise specified)	WH1000
32	Quick-disconnect plug	VP1143
33	Nylon hanger	H1177
34	Single lever control	VC1000
35	20 amp fuse (12 volt system)	H1176
36	Fuse holder	H1178
37	Racing type control	RT1000
38	Rocker switch control	RS1000

Bennett Trim Tabs are build to rigid quality standards. However, the marine environment is harsh. So, in the unlikely event a malfunction occurs, here is some helpful information.

1. If trim tabs do nothing...no movement...no sound from HPU -
- Inspect for blown 20 amp in-line fuse in helm control's orange wire.
- Inspect for disconnected or corroded connections on HPU ground wire, orange positive wire from helm control, and quick disconnect plug.

2. If HPU runs but trim tabs do not move -
- Inspect for disconnected or corroded red and green valve wire connections at helm control and quick-disconnect plug.
- The following test can be used to help isolate the malfunction.

Remove wires from helm control and touch together as follows:
Operation	Reaction
Orange (+), blue, red	Port trim tab down
Orange (+), blue, green	Starboard trim tab down
Orange (+), blue, red, green	Both trim tabs down
Orange (+), yellow, red	Port trim tab up
Orange (+), yellow, green	Starboard trim tab up
Orange (+), yellow, red, green	Both trim tabs up

- If the tabs function properly in each of the above combinations, check the helm control. If during this test the trim tabs continue to malfunction, inspect the HPU.

3. If one trim tab operates and the other does not -
- Inspect for disconnected or corroded red or green valve wire connections at helm control and quick disconnect plug. (Red wire operates port trim tab; green wire operates starboard trim tab.)
- Reverse the hydraulic tubing at front of HPU to determine if malfunction is in HPU or actuator / hydraulic connections. If ,after reversing lines, the symptom shifts to other trim tab, a malfunction may exist in HPU. If the symptom remains on the same side, a malfunction may exist with the actuator / hydraulic connections.

4. If trim tabs go down but will not retract -
- Inspect for low voltage of the battery. Check battery voltage while HPU (or another accessory) is running. If voltage is less than 10 volts, valves will not open.
- Inspect for disconnected or corroded connections on helm control and at quick disconnect plug.

For additional assistance contact Bennett Marine's Client Services Department at (954) 427-1400 or e-mail info@BennettTrimTabs.com.

- Periodically, check fluid level in HPU. With trim tabs fully retracted, fluid level should be about 2" from bottom of reservoir (approximately 22 ounces). To refill, remove the lexan cover and filler plug located on the front left hand corner of the reservoir. FILL WITH ANY TYPE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) ONLY. Brands or types of ATF can be mixed. Running the HPU with excess or lack of fluid will not cause damage.

- Periodically, check for clean electrical connections on the back of the control, HPU ground wire and quick disconnect plug.

- Cold temperatures do not affect the trim tab system. No winterization is necessary.

- SALTWATER ONLY - To deter electrolysis, a zinc anode should be attached to the top of each trim tab. The zinc must make direct contact with the stainless steel. In the case of trim tabs installed on the boat as original equipment by the builder, a bonding system may be utilized for your particular model.

- We suggest using anti-fouling paint to help protect the trim tabs from marine growth. The secret to getting anti-fouling paint to adhere to your trim tabs is proper priming, and the best people to tell you what to do are the experts at the company that makes your anti-fouling paint. We strongly suggest that you contact the paint manufacturer and tell them you are painting "304 stainless steel" trim tabs, then follow their recommendations to the letter! Remember don't paint under the zincs.

- Unpainted trim tabs may acquire an orange discoloration. THIS OXIDATION OF SURFACE CARBON MOLECULES IS NORMAL. Orange coating can be cleaned off, but will eventually return. Note: this discoloration should not be confused with the pitting and corrosion of electrolysis.

Bennett Marine
550 Jim Moran Boulevard
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442 USA

Phone: 954-427-1400
Fax: 954-480-2897