2006 260 Sundancer trim tab mfr. question

[dsteele1]

Bennett Auto Trim Tab Controls I have a 2006 260 Sundancer I just bought. The service manager at MarineMax said that the trim tabs are made by Lenco? Is this true? I would have to have the Lenco's removed and have Bennett's installed to make the Bennett Auto Trim work on this boat if that's the case.

Anyone know if they are Lenco's or Bennett's?:huh:

Thanks!

 

[Newbie]

My 06 260 had Bennets. Take a look in the bilge at the pump to be sure, it will have a label for which brand it is. SB

 

[Henry Boyd]

Don,

I would imagine they are Bennett - my 02 280 has Bennett, and a friend's 07 340 has Bennett.

There is a complication in that Sea Ray used what are called EIMs (Electronic Interface Modules) for the wiring of a number of components. The EIM is basically a smart group relay that reduces the amount of wiring run through the boat. The switchpads are only connected to the EIM with 4 wires and don't really switch anything. The switchpads send a message to the EIM that switches the actual circuit.

That being said, the standard Bennett auto trim kit requires some modification. I have had a couple of conversations with their customer service people (first rate they actually return phone calls) about installing the ATC in our 280. I think they pretty much have a modification worked out. I should know by the middle of next week.

Henry

 

[Dave S]

My 2006 260DA has Bennetts and your does too.

Dave

 

[dsteele1]

Thanks guys! Henry, I'd like to hear what Bennett tells you about the AC3000 modifications to fit the new 260 smart relay situation. I'm an ex electronics tech (not for boats) and know a little bit about what you are talking about. Some kind of RF relay or is it digital? Let me know what you find out!

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Nehalennia]

Mine are Bennetts

 

[Henry Boyd]

Don,

On the EIM's I only understand what they do, not how they do it. I'm an ME so it's just a 'black box' to me, after all it is electrickery.

Basically what they have told me is that to maintain the use of the existing switchpad trim switch functionality, I'll have to run either one, or two, wiring harnesses from the stern to the helm depending on whether the AT Controller box is mounted in the engine compartment, or at the helm. This will also make the installation easier for me as all that will be needed is to plug and play, as opposed to attaching individual wires.

It becomes a process of unplugging the existing trim pump from the SR harness, and plugging SR harness to the input side of the new harness/components and then plugging the pump onto the output side of the new harness/components.


I'll keep everyone updated as it progresses.

Henry

 

[dsteele1]

Great information! :smt038 Take pictures if you can and post them! :grin:

If I understand you right, if you mount the AC3000 controller box in the engine compartment it saves you running the second wiring harness. True?

Has Bennett told you if it makes any difference if the controller is mounted in the engine compartment or the helm area? Does it have to located near the central axis of the boat near the center of the boat - it would seem to me that it would make a difference?! :huh: It must use mercury or something similar to sense what atitude you are at to make adjustments. Have they mentioned anything about this?

Thanks again for the great information!

Don

 

[At Ease]

Bennett's here as well!

 

[Henry Boyd]

Great information! :smt038 Take pictures if you can and post them! :grin:

If I understand you right, if you mount the AC3000 controller box in the engine compartment it saves you running the second wiring harness. True?

Has Bennett told you if it makes any difference if the controller is mounted in the engine compartment or the helm area? Does it have to located near the central axis of the boat near the center of the boat - it would seem to me that it would make a difference?! :huh: It must use mercury or something similar to sense what atitude you are at to make adjustments. Have they mentioned anything about this?

Thanks again for the great information!

Don

Don,

On the one, or two harnesses, I am not sure as we were doing an 'either or' conversation. The outcome is to be based on pictures and measurements I made over the weekend.

The controller has to be placed parallel to the longitudinal centerline, not necessarily on it.

In terms of placing the controller in the engine compartment the issue for Bennett is not location, but humidty. For myself, I think there are better possible spots in the engine room than under the helm. In the ER it will be much easier to insure that the controller is accurately lined up with the centerline of the boat.

As to the how it functions, I'll ask the question.

Henry

 

[Henry Boyd]

Re: 2006 260 Sundancer trim tab mfr. question update

Update on the Bennett AC3000 modification plan

The plan now is to mount the relay module and the ATC controller in the engine area near the aft EIM and replace the 6' harness that connects the keypad and ATC controller with a 30' one.

It now sounds like a complete plug and play solution. Bennett CS is checking the timeline on getting the new harness made. They want to do this as they are concerned that a spliced and lengthen original harness may not work properly.

A quick check of suppliers shows BOE having the best price on the AC3000, so as soon as I hear on the harness I'll be pulling parts together.

Henry

 

[dsteele1]

Had to do a Google on BOE - BOE Marine. Great price and no shipping charges! Discount Marine Supply had the second best price.

I downloaded the manual for the AC3000 from Bennett last night. I also checked the Sea ray site for specs on your boat and mine. You have the EIM module - my 2006 260 does not. This makes it a lot easier for me to hook the AC3000 up.

I also looked into the Bennett Trim Tab Position Indicator packages they sell. Very cool as you have no idea where the trim tabs are positioned without some kind of LED indicator. But installation requires removing from the water and pulling and reworking the actual hydraulic actuators. I don't have a Hydrolift so no go. :smt009

Let me know how they work as I will be proceeding further based on what you find.

Thanks for the update!:smt038

 

[dsteele1]

Re: 2006 260 Sundancer trim tab mfr. question update

Hi Henry!

How goes the Bennett Auto Trim Tab setup? I broke down and bought the AC3000 unit to put in ny 2006 260 Sundancer.

The installation looks pretty straight forward but I'm having a little problem with knowing where to tie the relay unit into a hot 12VDC line and ground in the bilge Trim Pump area and the second problem of where to find an ignition key ON hot line 12VDC and ground in the helm area near the trim tab rocker switches.

Has anyone installed this unit in a Sea Ray 260 or similar? :smt100

Thanks!

 

[land_shark3]

I am thinking about putting either the AC3000 or the AC3EIC as well as an EIC5000 in my 245. I'd like to know more about the extended harness as well as how well the EIC will work with the standard 3000.