Bennett Auto Trim Pro (ATP)


AllDodge

AllDodge

Well-known member
Going to try to keep this short, even though it has been going on for a long time.
Wonder if anyone has ever installed these things?

Last year (July 2017) while putting my boat on the lift I forget to raise the trim tab and cracked the upper hinge. So ordered another hinge and then found out about Bennett's ATP with the auto retrack feature. Could have just got the auto retrack for $50, but decided to get the ATP for $600, hey cool, at least I thought.

In Nov2017 installed ATP and synced the tabs to the controller and waited until 2018 season to program the rest. Have had all kinds of issues but the big issue is it does not respond as specified. To date I have installed 2 complete systems and an additional 3 other controllers. Every time they send me something new I have 30 days (which is nice) to return the old pieces or they charge my CC. I am required to pay the return shipment. Paying return would not be so bad, IF (the big if) when I was sent a new item it fixed the issue, but it has not.

Here is what I just went thru today with an all new install

Installed complete all new system, this makes number 5 on the controllers. Did use the new connection cable (between switches and controller) but did not run it as permanent. The cable is just to hard to install, so I ran it above the deck to connect for this install. Ran thru the setup, and got my flashes just like it says.

Get boat running on plane, adjust trim a tad on starboard side to flat it out. Push and hold FAV1 for more then 5 seconds, and release button. Once released the starboard tab retracts full up. OK, I'\m leaning to starboard a tad, start to turn around (to port) and after about 1/2 way the port tab comes down a bit, this looks good.

Straighten out and it goes back to all up. Slow and stop the boat (FAV1 still lit). Throttle up and both tabs start to go down (hay this is good light its should do) and come down about 1/2 before I'm on plane and speed is up. All good, for about 5 to 7 seconds, then both tabs start going back down and not stopping, they go full down and I'm nose down doing about 30 mph. I touch "ALL UP" and slow the boat because its getting squirrelly.

I'm done for today, will see about doing some more testing tomorrow.
 
A shame you're having these problems, but selfishly for me, it's making me second guess getting this retrofitted.

Drives me crazy how, when the boat is at cruise speed on plane, it will tilt when somebody moves to another side (i.e. to the bar to get a drink).

I'm always looking for the perfect balance (which also helps fuel economy significantly).

I had hoped auto trim pro would help, but maybe not?
 
The Bennett vid shows it on a CC (20 something footer). There is a difference in what I'm being told to program for "no wake" and "Angle setup for planning mode" and the vid. The vid shows the CC putting out a bit of a wake for a no wake mode, and the Angle setup shows the nose down more.

I have tried both ways and get about the same results. The phone tech has said it may be an issue with my boat, being it rides about the same on plane as it does just sitting. It has an 18 degree dead rise. Normal on plane only requires a very sight starboard tab.

The full long story is here
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/gen...5467-bennett-trim-repair-and-auto-pro-install
 
Did some more testing and there is no rhyme or reason as to why the tabs work, don't work or go full down while cruising, or at least that I can understand. Went back out to day and after getting on plane the tabs start working. Then 10 seconds later the tabs start going full down

Photo1477.jpg
 
Looked at the setup instructions. Wow lots of steps. There was one note under calibration that says it will temporarily be full down. Appears the full calibration may not be complete. Says blue light should be lit when operational. Just trying to assist. We have the older system with the level sensor and love the auto trim/ retract. It’s fabulous. Hope you get it working.
 
Appreciate all input, and would love to find out that its me doing something wrong and not the unit. The only blue lights that stay on when in auto mode is either FAV1 or FAV2. The other blue lights go ON when the system is activating on of the tabs. These lights are the little clear lens below the "DN" and above the "BOW UP" rocker switches. If I press ALL UP or ALL DOWN those light up until the tabs have reached position

Here is the quick start guide and I don't see where you've see full down?
https://bennetttrimtabs.com/installManuals/AutoTrim-Pro-Electric-Quickstart-Guide-WEB.pdf

There may be a possibility that the tech talking to me was in error, and the Bennett vid was correct. This was the point the tech said I should be in No Wake speed (idle) and the vid shows the boat plowing water maybe around 12 to 1500 rpm. Reason to mention it is because when I'm idling, for the most part its the same as At Rest. If I'm idling or at rest, why is the controller adjusting tabs?

That said, with one of the other controllers, I did set the no wake calibration at about 1200 rpm, but it still had similar issues
 
www.bennetttrimtabs.com/wp-content/.../ATP-Hydraulic-r010617-parallel-WEB.pdf



This is a really complicated setup. In looking at it I understand the steps but man is it complicated!!!!
Ignore the blue light comment, looks like I had that wrong, it's for using the auto tabs after calibration.
They're using a high idle as part of the calibration for no wake speed in these directions.
Bottom right of page 25 shows full tab deployed and bow down temporarily, but this is not the complete calibration from the looks of it. I am not familiar with this system but reading to try to help.
I did notice the orientation of the control unit is critical.

I must add when these are working they are really great, this past weekend at one point everybody looked to starboard and when I glanced at the indicators port was at 2 and stb was at 11. Never even noticed!
 
full tab deployed and bow down temporarily
I did notice the orientation of the control unit is critical.
Click to expand...

The manual is not written very clear. In my thread at iboats I went through some of the issues and Tabman (Bennett) indicated he would pass to tech support. In discussing with tech support, the planing angle is (my understanding) the max the tabs will be used when at plane angle. The tech said I should not be so bow down that it starts bow steering. This doesn't seem to work because when I set the angle this time my tabs where a bit more then 1/2 down. Was cruising about 32 mph and it flashed.

It says
The trim tabs will be deployed to varying degrees while the boat is planing to improve the boat's attitude in roll and pitch. The planing angle is not the target position that the boat will be maintained at, rather it is an identifier to tell the system that the boat is in the planing mode. If the boat's pitch angle drops below the planing angle, the system will automatically retract the tabs. If the boat's pitch angle is above the planing angle, the system will automatically control the trim tabs.
Click to expand...

This part isn't real clear, it leads me to believe the boat is up on plane cruising, and the tabs are lowered to the point there is a bow down (over trim). The bow down is the limit angle that the boat should be at.

If trim tab operation is desired through the entire operating range of the boat, put the trim tabs to a full-down position and carefully run the boat at it’s fastest safe speed to
set the planing angle.
Click to expand...

It goes on to state this, which makes things more unclear. Put full down and run at fastest safe speed, so the manual is not clear and I have brought this up to tech support and have been told not to put the bow down that far

As for the location, I was told by tech support that mounting on the stern was the best place and could be mounted in any position anywhere on the boat, so long as its ridged. Now since you read through the manual (I looked at it so many times) there is a change in the manual. The change appears to be online only. The manual that is in my latest system does not match what is online.

First pic is the last old one removed, and under it is the new manual. The next is the new manual online and also note the pic and wording. Its stating it needs to be mounted horizontal and parallel with the keel. This could be a game changer. Without you going online a reading the new one this would not have been known

Photo1485.jpgATP manual 081718.jpg
 
Looks like the manual I found is outdated. The picture of your unit doesn't have the arrow showing. Is it possible the internal gps is loosing signal due to interference onboard? I'm sure tech support asked that question. Our older unit does not have gps so there's no speed or turn sense. When starting a turn the tabs initially try to correct then let the turn proceed. This newer unit would not interfere with turning and can also be safer at speed. I understand how frustrating something like this can be, but when they're working they are GREAT. Keep plugging, Bennett's support is great! At this point I'm probably more of a hindrance rather then helping.
 
At this point I'm probably more of a hindrance rather then helping.
Click to expand...

Hey don't quit on me now, you stumbled across what may be the issue. My unit is on the transom, starboard side of the motor. There shouldn't be anything there that is producing any RF signal. So far as the arrow, that has not been on any of the controllers I've received but it's in the online manual

Was just informed by Bennett (on iboats thread) I should be using the online manual instead of the one which came with the brand new unit. Going to wait until I here more before I climb back in there and start changing things, just to make sure there isn't something else.

You think of anything else don't hesitate. Many times it takes a new set of eyes to see things there may not have been seen
 
This is getting really bad, my original manual does not match the one that came with the controller, and the one online is also another variation. This is in order according to manuals, time indicated is least time, can be more

Original manual
Sun+All up = At Rest 5 sec
Sun+FAV1 = Acceleration 10 sec
Moon+FAV1= Angle Idle no wake 5 sec
Moon+FAV2= Planning Angle 5 sec

New manual
Sun+All up = at rest 3 Sec
Sun+FAV1 = Acceleration 3 sec
Moon+All UP= At Rest 3 sec
Moon+FAV1= Angle Idle no wake 10-15 sec
Moon+FAV2= Planning Angle 5 Sec

Online manual
Moon+All UP= At Rest 3 sec
Moon+FAV1= Angle Idle no wake 10-15 sec
Moon+FAV2= Planning Angle 5 Sec
Does not use Sun buttons nor is there an acceleration mode

Which one is right??????????????????????
Didn't get a call today, maybe tomorrow or I'll call them like I always have to do
 
Can you imagine as units get old the confusion that will occur!!!!!!!!
There should be a serial number to ID the unit for correct instructions. The instruction list is great.
I’ll repeat it’s really worth it to get this working
keep us updated.
 
Evermore said:
Is there a series of buttons to save the final settings?
Click to expand...

According to what I have been reading, the buttons push to calibrate the unit during install is the only clue. Being with the Navy for so many years controlling configuration and technical manuals, what I'm seeing now is lack of quality control in the development of manuals which do not match the product. Actually think the issue is there are some which have been tasked to document the cal procedures, and the cut n paste is making things worst. No one is responsible for ensuring the manual matches the product

They will fix the issue, but right now, how long will it take and at what cost
 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YUwNdg0Syd8
found this video and it shows going through all the steps but at the end he runs the boat and trims it how it’s to be run then saves the running angle by pressing the fav button to save all the settings.
The unit is oriented through the setup. I don’t think the mounting matters anymore.
 
I don’t think the mounting matters anymore.
Click to expand...

The vid does the setup as I have been doing all along. Have also done the planning angle like the vid and also like the tech and neither have changed anything. I'm starting to thing the mounting does matter because it would be the only thing that has never changed since installing the first one. Hope to get some news soon
 
I called and talked to the tech today. After much conversation, the previous online manual that showed up was the older version of the manual. The one found when looking now is the latest and was the same one I started with. The one that came with the last unit had some issues.

In any case, he wanted me on the boat to test. Got the boat out in the water and called back. So we did the at rest cal 2 times. Next tried the acceleration, and it didn't go so well.

Held SUN+FAV1 for 5 seconds and at 4 seconds got 2 flashes. Released buttons and throttled up, was on plane in about 3 seconds, eased up on throttles a bit, staying in a straight line and it flashed twice, so thought we were good. Kept watching and it flashed twice again. Slowed to stop and ever 5 seconds got 2 flashes, would not stop.

Turned motor OFF, tuned battery switch OFF then back ON. No more flashing and tried acceleration again, and could not get the second set of flashes. Tried several times and no luck.

Tried setting FAV1 and FAV2 at different times and sometimes it would work but not always. Started to think the issue is since it does not know acceleration, it doesn't know when the boat is moving. Tech said he would call me back, well that was at 11:30 and guess maybe tomorrow.

In any case looks like my latest unit has another issue. Will say, I never saw this one before
 
Did get an email this morning, saying the engineer things the control went out again. They received my old one sometime today. Bennett want's to test the old one before doing anything next. Did find out out of all the ones I sent back there was only oneso far that did not test good on return, but they have not tested the last one yet

Sure hope I get a resolution before I have to winterize
 
Do you think it might be a good idea to have them test the new unit before they send it? That may not answer anything but you would know it worked before you install it. I would not reuse any of the connectors and wiring. Make it a new clean install.
 
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