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Author Topic:   REPAIR: Trim Master Trim Tabs

ingjoep posted 08-05-2007 01:32 PM ET (US)
I have Trim Master brand trim tabs. The motor runs but the trim tabs don't move. I can move then up and down by pushing on them. [Seeks] advice as to what [the cause of this malfunction] might be.
Thanks Joe
jimh posted 08-05-2007 04:06 PM ET (US)
I am not familiar with the Trim Master brand of trim tabs, but they appear to be a hydraulic system. If they are not moving, check the hydraulic fluid level and the hydraulic pump. Trim Master products have a lifetime guarantee, so contact the manufacturer for help.
I do note that their website is no longer on-line. I hope that this does not indicate they have gone out of business.
lakeman posted 08-06-2007 06:59 AM ET (US)
I bet [a representative of another manufacturer who participates in online discussion forums including this one] will tell you what you need to know or do not want to know.
Tabman posted 08-06-2007 10:13 AM ET (US)
Trimmaster has gone out of business. But I think I can help you troubleshoot. The systems are quite similar in function and the basic troubleshooting we use for a Bennett system can be applied to Trimmaster. The wiring colors are different. Below you will find the Bennett – Trimmaster wiring color codes.
Below that you will find Bennett Troubleshooting. If you change the color code in the Bennett troubleshooting you should be able to locate the fault in the system.
If the pump unit is faulty you may be able to find a replacement from a dealer who may have some leftovers. If you cannot locate a Trimmaster pump, a Bennett pump may be substituted using the same wire color conversion. You will also need a new bracket for the Bennett pump; we have a small conversion kit with that bracket and a few other parts to make the installation a bit easier. It can be sent out at no charge if you need it.
I hope this helps,
Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
Trim Master Bennett
Positive Orange Orange
Motor Forward Red Blue
Motor Reverse Yellow Yellow
Solenoid Port Green Red
Solenoid Starboard White Green

Ground Black Black
Bennett Troubleshooting:
Fluid: Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) any type. Hydraulic Power Unit is self bleeding, running the Trim Tabs up and down 3-4 times will purge air from the system.
Fuse: 12 volt system use 20 amp in-line fuse on positive. (24v & 32v use proportionately smaller)
Red= Port Valve
Green= Starboard Valve
Blue=Motor Forward (pump pressure)
Yellow= Motor Reverse (pump retract)
Black on HPU=Ground
Orange on Helm=Control Positive
Troubleshooting
1.If one side is not operating reverse hydraulic lines on the front of the Hydraulic Power Unit to determine if the malfunction is in HPU or actuator / hydraulic lines. If after reversing the lines symptom shifts to the other side the malfunction may exist in HPU. If the symptom remains on the same side, malfunction may exist with the actuator / hydraulic lines
2. Is the unit receiving a solid 12 volts? Low voltage will some times cause the solenoids to not open preventing the tabs from moving even though the pump motor is running.
3. Conduct the following test:
Remove the wires from the 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 trim tabs function correctly for each wire grouping then the switch is at fault. Also note that any loose or missing screws on the back of the switch (whether a wire is connected there or not) can cause the pump to malfunction.
This test may also be done right at the pump by substituting a "hot lead" for orange. There is usually a connector to the wire harness within a foot or so of the pump. You want to check this connection for corrosion. You may wish to cut the connector off on the pump side and try the test on bare wires.
4. If you suspect corrosion on the wire connector near the pump, cut it out, test as above and reconnect using butt splices.
where2 posted 08-11-2007 12:00 AM ET (US)
I have to commend and applaud Tom for his knowledge and willingness to share the trouble shooting information for his out of business competitor's system.
I also applaud him for his willingness to freely offer up the bracket kit, conversion parts and wiring information.
It was folks with Tom's mentality that made America great in an earlier time. A wilingness to help a fellow out with customer service rather than simply push a shiny new box across the parts counter for top dollar and tell the customer "this will cure all your problems, what you have now cannot be fixed".
The troubleshooting insight that shows up on Continuouswave is one of the reasons I frequent this website. Its always amazing what others will share.
mrfisherman42 posted 07-03-2008 02:02 PM ET (US)
Hi, I am having the exact same problem with my trim master tabs. I hear the motor running but they are not moving. This is my first boat with tabs and I know nothing about them. I read that the fluid might be low. Where do you check the fluid level? I see the screw between the 2 hydrolic lines but that is all I can see. Thanks for any help in advance.
Gopher posted 11-23-2010 12:29 PM ET (US)
I posted a copy of the TrimMaster parts diagram at <http://public.fotki.com/Alaskan18/trimtab/trimmaster-parts.html>
Note that Part 27 is the fluid reservoir dipstick for checking level, not the pressure relief plug mentioned in the previous post.

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Author	Topic: REPAIR: Trim Master Trim Tabs
ingjoep	posted 08-05-2007 01:32 PM ET (US) I have Trim Master brand trim tabs. The motor runs but the trim tabs don't move. I can move then up and down by pushing on them. [Seeks] advice as to what [the cause of this malfunction] might be. Thanks Joe
jimh	posted 08-05-2007 04:06 PM ET (US) I am not familiar with the Trim Master brand of trim tabs, but they appear to be a hydraulic system. If they are not moving, check the hydraulic fluid level and the hydraulic pump. Trim Master products have a lifetime guarantee, so contact the manufacturer for help. I do note that their website is no longer on-line. I hope that this does not indicate they have gone out of business.
lakeman	posted 08-06-2007 06:59 AM ET (US) I bet [a representative of another manufacturer who participates in online discussion forums including this one] will tell you what you need to know or do not want to know.
Tabman	posted 08-06-2007 10:13 AM ET (US) Trimmaster has gone out of business. But I think I can help you troubleshoot. The systems are quite similar in function and the basic troubleshooting we use for a Bennett system can be applied to Trimmaster. The wiring colors are different. Below you will find the Bennett – Trimmaster wiring color codes. Below that you will find Bennett Troubleshooting. If you change the color code in the Bennett troubleshooting you should be able to locate the fault in the system. If the pump unit is faulty you may be able to find a replacement from a dealer who may have some leftovers. If you cannot locate a Trimmaster pump, a Bennett pump may be substituted using the same wire color conversion. You will also need a new bracket for the Bennett pump; we have a small conversion kit with that bracket and a few other parts to make the installation a bit easier. It can be sent out at no charge if you need it. I hope this helps, Tom McGow Bennett Marine Trim Master Bennett Positive Orange Orange Motor Forward Red Blue Motor Reverse Yellow Yellow Solenoid Port Green Red Solenoid Starboard White Green Ground Black Black Bennett Troubleshooting: Fluid: Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) any type. Hydraulic Power Unit is self bleeding, running the Trim Tabs up and down 3-4 times will purge air from the system. Fuse: 12 volt system use 20 amp in-line fuse on positive. (24v & 32v use proportionately smaller) Red= Port Valve Green= Starboard Valve Blue=Motor Forward (pump pressure) Yellow= Motor Reverse (pump retract) Black on HPU=Ground Orange on Helm=Control Positive Troubleshooting 1.If one side is not operating reverse hydraulic lines on the front of the Hydraulic Power Unit to determine if the malfunction is in HPU or actuator / hydraulic lines. If after reversing the lines symptom shifts to the other side the malfunction may exist in HPU. If the symptom remains on the same side, malfunction may exist with the actuator / hydraulic lines 2. Is the unit receiving a solid 12 volts? Low voltage will some times cause the solenoids to not open preventing the tabs from moving even though the pump motor is running. 3. Conduct the following test: Remove the wires from the 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 trim tabs function correctly for each wire grouping then the switch is at fault. Also note that any loose or missing screws on the back of the switch (whether a wire is connected there or not) can cause the pump to malfunction. This test may also be done right at the pump by substituting a "hot lead" for orange. There is usually a connector to the wire harness within a foot or so of the pump. You want to check this connection for corrosion. You may wish to cut the connector off on the pump side and try the test on bare wires. 4. If you suspect corrosion on the wire connector near the pump, cut it out, test as above and reconnect using butt splices.
where2	posted 08-11-2007 12:00 AM ET (US) I have to commend and applaud Tom for his knowledge and willingness to share the trouble shooting information for his out of business competitor's system. I also applaud him for his willingness to freely offer up the bracket kit, conversion parts and wiring information. It was folks with Tom's mentality that made America great in an earlier time. A wilingness to help a fellow out with customer service rather than simply push a shiny new box across the parts counter for top dollar and tell the customer "this will cure all your problems, what you have now cannot be fixed". The troubleshooting insight that shows up on Continuouswave is one of the reasons I frequent this website. Its always amazing what others will share.
mrfisherman42	posted 07-03-2008 02:02 PM ET (US) Hi, I am having the exact same problem with my trim master tabs. I hear the motor running but they are not moving. This is my first boat with tabs and I know nothing about them. I read that the fluid might be low. Where do you check the fluid level? I see the screw between the 2 hydrolic lines but that is all I can see. Thanks for any help in advance.
Gopher	posted 11-23-2010 12:29 PM ET (US) I posted a copy of the TrimMaster parts diagram at <http://public.fotki.com/Alaskan18/trimtab/trimmaster-parts.html> Note that Part 27 is the fluid reservoir dipstick for checking level, not the pressure relief plug mentioned in the previous post.