Zeus Pod/ Trim Tab

Richey rich

Active Member
Sep 23, 2012
393
Lake St Clair
Boat Info
2010 Sea Ray 450 SunDancer
Engines
Twin 480 Cummins w/Zeus pods
Just wondering if somebody can help me out. I was out at the boat last week and started to remove my old zincs. Time to put new ones on and they were giving me a little bit of trouble because I could not break the nuts free. Anyways after working on it for just a minute my wife called me and needed me to help her with something so had to put the project off till this week. Yesterday I had the local dealer come out and service my pods. Drained and refilled all fluids in pods. I go out there today to replace the Zincs and one of my trim tabs is lowered. Didn’t think that this was supposed to be possible without the engine running. Any chance it is from them servicing the pods? Obviously at 17°F I won’t be going in the water anytime soon but I am hoping that once I start it up everything will reset?
 
It should reset when you start the motor
 
Nothing particular comes to mind but I have seen that on mine
Just checking, it's lowered, but not to the point of interfering with the props, correct?
 
Nothing particular comes to mind but I have seen that on mine
Just checking, it's lowered, but not to the point of interfering with the props, correct?
Correct. It is lowered but has not fell so far it would interfere with prop.
 
No pools of fluid anywhere?
The fluid levels read correct?
I would think you're fine.
 
8A2DE52D-6CB3-4EEF-A289-81E4B18DC94C.jpeg
B930A972-A0BB-4E8C-A581-C8C64A056998.jpeg
No pools of fluid anywhere?
The fluid levels read correct?
I would think you're fine.
Had a chance to stop by the boat on my way home from work today and snapped a picture of it.
 
E1EDDEC0-1115-4E55-8F01-897EE989F8DF.jpeg
EB448196-E9A1-47DB-BE2A-FA89E760D5AB.jpeg
I don't think you have an issue

sure hope not. Been working all winter long to get it ready. Don’t want any issues now. Worked on the teak steps in cockpit and going down to the cabin today. They were pretty beat up and dried out. Some teak oil really brought them to life.
B294A552-4FE9-4FC2-8FCE-828D35ADA583.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Look Great, Make sure they aren't too slippery now.
 
I'm not sure on your boat, Richey, but on some boats the tabs can be operated simply by having the enigne power turned "on", but not started. Maybe they had power on and bumped the tab button?
 
I'm not sure on your boat, Richey, but on some boats the tabs can be operated simply by having the enigne power turned "on", but not started. Maybe they had power on and bumped the tab button?

Yeah, with these pods they operate a little bit different. They only work when the boat is running. Simply powering on does not allow them to adjust. Something I’m not used to yet.
 
Was at the boat today, both of mine are like your starboard tab. I'm not concerned.
 
Was down at the boat today and saw this
PXL_20210221_172525956.jpg
ill have to look in the manual.i never noticed it before...
 
from the manual:
PROCEDURE FOR A STUCK TRIM TAB CONTROL VALVE

1. Determine the drive that is not responding to trim control.
2. Shut down the engine and turn the key switch off. Wait at least 30 seconds, if
possible.
3. Restart the engine. Confirm the trim tab fault has cleared.
4. If the trim tab fault did not clear, repeat the start/stop routine up to three times.
5. If the trim tab fault does not clear using the above procedure, then shift the transmission
into neutral, shut down the engine, turn the key switch off, and alternately push the
trim‑up and trim‑down manual‑override buttons to release the spool. Refer to the decal
on the manifold bracket or on the port‑side of the drive cover, if equipped, for additional
information.

It looks like you can push those buttons to manually operate the tabs without the engines running. Maybe a call to mercury to confirm....
 
from the manual:
PROCEDURE FOR A STUCK TRIM TAB CONTROL VALVE

1. Determine the drive that is not responding to trim control.
2. Shut down the engine and turn the key switch off. Wait at least 30 seconds, if
possible.
3. Restart the engine. Confirm the trim tab fault has cleared.
4. If the trim tab fault did not clear, repeat the start/stop routine up to three times.
5. If the trim tab fault does not clear using the above procedure, then shift the transmission
into neutral, shut down the engine, turn the key switch off, and alternately push the
trim‑up and trim‑down manual‑override buttons to release the spool. Refer to the decal
on the manifold bracket or on the port‑side of the drive cover, if equipped, for additional
information.

It looks like you can push those buttons to manually operate the tabs without the engines running. Maybe a call to mercury to confirm....

Yes, I will call them first. It seems to me that this is in the event of failure while in the water. Pushing the button seems to release the spool so that if it’s stuck you can then restart the motors and they should reset. I don’t think you will be able to push the button and change anything while out of the water. But it’s worth a call to ask I suppose. thanks
 

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