Bennet Trim Tab Controller with position indicator

[colbysmith]

I have Bennet hydraulic trim tabs with the Bennet control switch that includes position indicator lights. Switch will allow positioning tabs down (bow down) but appears dead in raising tabs (bow up). Auto retract works fine when turning key off. Fuse and electrical connections checked at switch and appear to look fine at pump. Any suggestions?

 

[jkidd]

Have you tried unplugging and plugging in the multi pin connector cable a few times. maybe a little oxidation there.

 

[colbysmith]

Have you tried unplugging and plugging in the multi pin connector cable a few times. maybe a little oxidation there.

That was my thought too. I did at the switch and will try that at the pump today.

 

[colbysmith]

Spoke with Bennet tech support today. He suggested I look at the Relay. I did unplug the main harness there and reconnected it a few times. Also topped off the hydraulic fluid. I wasn't able to do much other trouble shooting, but I suspect it's going to be in the relay after speaking with Bennet.

 

[jkidd]

Lets us know what you find out.

 

[colbysmith]

Lets us know what you find out.

Finding the relay was/is a PITA! No one seems to stock them. The proper relay is Bennett AIC101. Apparently it also has a Yamaha part number: 6BT-50024-27-00. Finally found a used one on ebay listed for $89, and the seller agreed to take $75. Supposedly it was working when removed. I installed that today. It fixed the manual retraction problem, but now the auto-retract don't work. (The original one stopped working on manual retract, but manual extension and auto retract worked!) I called Bennett today and the rep said sounds like another bad relay! I did find a new relay today for $152 at Boats.net and ordered it. Fortunately, the ebay guy has said he would take his relay back and refund my money. (Very honorable of him, as the item was sold as is, no returns.) With recent issues, one of my boating buddies said I should rename C-Traveler, C-Drama or C-Trauma or something like that.... It's a boat. Unfortunately, they cost money.

Speaking of which, lets see if I can find my Hobie Kayak thread to update... Colby

 

[kcassal]

Last fall when selling my C-Dory 22 I had this same exact problem and after much testing determined that the relay was at fault. I could not locate a relay and wound up changing out the entire system. I installed new Bennett actuators so that they would work with a new control unit that did NOT have position indicators. It was a PITA but I wanted to sell the boat with working tabs. Probably not the solution that you wanted to hear.

 

[colbysmith]

Last fall when selling my C-Dory 22 I had this same exact problem and after much testing determined that the relay was at fault. I could not locate a relay and wound up changing out the entire system. I installed new Bennett actuators so that they would work with a new control unit that did NOT have position indicators. It was a PITA but I wanted to sell the boat with working tabs. Probably not the solution that you wanted to hear.

You're right, not what I wanted to hear. Just got notification back from Boats.net that the part is on back order. When I spoke with them, they had no idea when the part would be available. Maybe a month or two. Yeah, that ain't going to cut it so I told him to cancel my order and refund my payment. Everywhere I've found on line show the part is out of stock or special order. So far I've struck out finding anything in stock. Still going to make some calls to see how long a "special order" can take. You'd think Bennett would have these relays available with all their trim tabs out there. I wonder just what is in side that magical little box? My brother is pretty smart at electronics, and I'd be tempted to send my bad relay to him and see if he can get into the box and rebuild it. Then I could reseal it with fiberglass or something. I can think of several other options, like replacing the trim tabs with something more available, but don't care to spend a lot more to do so.

 

[colbysmith]

New update. Spoke with Bennett tech again, and have decided to upgrade my system to the Bennett OBI 9000H. I'll have to also add their wiring harness WH100022 as my current harness won't work. I found the 9000H at Anchor Express for $315 and the harness at Amazon for $39. The new system replaces my current bad relay box and helm control & position indicator with just a helm control & position indicator. Requires a little more current at the helm control than the old system, but still under 20amps. Hope this works! Colby

 

[colbysmith]

More frustration. So Anchor Express is saying that part is on back order, not expected till towards the end of April...... :amgry :evil: Canceled that order. But did find it at Hodges Marine, for even a few $$ cheaper. And the website showed 30 in stock! We'll see....

 

[thataway]

My thought is that someone with a little knowledge of the circuit could use one of many 12V automobile relays. I have a couple VW headlight 20 amp relays left over from some project I did in the past (an alarm system for boats). Those probably could be made to work.

But you will be happy with the upgrade. (when it gets there!)

 

[colbysmith]

I received the OBI 9000H system from Hodges Marine, and installed it the other day. Works great! Had to replace the wiring harness as well, as the harness that came with the EIC5000 system used 24 ga wires. Since the new controller is all integral to the new position switch and indicator, it requires heavier gauge wire to carry up to 20amps back to the tab hydraulic motor. The new system even has two new buttons for all up and all down, which is nice to extend or retract both tabs at once. Now that everything is back together and working great, I started looking some more into my old system. I purchased the EIC 5000 in November 2020. I found Bennett has a 3 year warranty on this system, but the tech I spoke with never mentioned this to me. Even when I pressed him on sources for the relay module. I emailed Bennett requesting a refund for the list price of just the relay module, and they opened a ticket to repair or replace it. Long story short, I sent it back to them today, again telling them only a refund would resolve to my satisfaction. So we'll see where this all goes next. Colby

 

[colbysmith]

Well, getting near the end of this story. Anybody want to buy a new Bennett Trim Tab relay module. I'm giving up trying to get them to send me a refund and will instead just list this on ebay once I get it. (BTW, I'm not convinced it was broken sensor plugs, unless they are speaking of internal wires. The outside where the cable plugged in was just fine!)


Good morning Mr. Smith,

Our FINAL ANALYSIS team completed their testing of the EIC101 (6BT-5002427-00) that was returned, which they did find the broken SENSOR PLUGS that prevented the cable from staying properly connected to the unit as designed. We have processed a WARRANTY REPLACEMENT ORDER for one (1) EIC101 (6BT-5002427-00) shipping back to you shortly (could take up to ten to 15 working days), so please keep your eyes open for it to arrive to you via UPS GROUND.

Regards,
M.J. Thomas
Client Services

Bennett Marine
A Division of Yamaha Marine Systems, Inc

550 Jim Moran Blvd
Deerfield Beach, FL
(866) 894-1626, press #3 for BENNETT MARINE PRODUCTS

 

[colbysmith]

Received a brand new part in new packaging. Listing it on ebay today. Colby

eBay link

 

[starcrafttom]

You really wonder why they dont keep this simple cheap part in stock.???

New update. Spoke with Bennett tech again, and have decided to upgrade my system to the Bennett OBI 9000H.

 

[colbysmith]

You really wonder why they dont keep this simple cheap part in stock.???

New update. Spoke with Bennett tech again, and have decided to upgrade my system to the Bennett OBI 9000H.

Apparently they (Yamaha) do have it in stock, but only for all the warranty replacements! :? It's unavailable or on back order with everyone else! :thdown