Bennett Hydraulic Trim Tabs - Adding Display

[Paul65k]

Hey,

Has anyone added indicators to their Bennett Hydraulic trim tabs?? I know pretty much all the new boats have these already installed but on an older boat this looks like a pretty easy way to update the switch and add an indicator so you're not always running them all the way up to know where you are starting........these also apparently "Park" the tabs in the full up position when you turn the engine off.

So has anyone done this and if so was it a PIA or pretty straightforward??

http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/product/electronic-indicator-control-kit/

Thanks!

 

[BDMar]

We've done it a few times. Not hard, just time consuming.

 

[Paul65k]

We've done it a few times. Not hard, just time consuming.

Thanks....what do you think??......3 beer job. 4, 5??

How may hours would you bid it if someone showed up looking to have it done??

 

[BDMar]

Thanks....what do you think??......3 beer job. 4, 5??

How may hours would you bid it if someone showed up looking to have it done??

Here at the shop I would bid it 3-4 hours to be safe not knowing how much upholstery, battery boxes, trim pumps, etc had to be moved to change the cylinder tops, run the wires, and install the indicator/switch panel. At home 1/2 day.... With Dave helping, an easy 12 pack.

 

[Sonic45SS]

A friend is installing these on his boat. Found the kit at Hodges Marine with cylinder tops and switch with indicators for $245.00 shipped. Bennett# EIC 5000

Had the Trimdicator series on a 32 Pachanga I had. They worked great. Bennett is a good company and stands behind their product. Had to replace the control boxes on the pachanga, and the sent them free, when I know the warranty was over.

 

[Sbarry]

I posted this question a few months back and kind of got mixed comments. Only difference was I wanted to know more specifically about the Livorsi digital indicators since the Bennett indicator looks, eh, cheesy??

Ended up scratching the idea and running by feel only. Probably the only option I kick myself for not having installed during the build.

If you decide to install yourself, post a thread. Maybe I'll get a hair up to do it as well. [emoji1360]

 

[2FORCEFULL]

if you're gonna spend money.... why not just go mechanical ...no wires and you know where they are at

 

[Runs2rch]

if you're gonna spend money.... why not just go mechanical ...no wires and you know where they are at

No fancy lights then!!! Mechanical indicators are just like you said. Reliable. Most of the dash displays for them are kind of ugly.

 

[BDMar]

if you're gonna spend money.... why not just go mechanical ...no wires and you know where they are at

They don't make them for Bennett's

 

[2FORCEFULL]

They don't make them for Bennett's

I think racey does... he makes door handles out of shot guns...D:thumbsup

 

[boatnam2]

I got the older benett indicators, 3 things about them, first they are behind the steering wheel so they are hard to see, second when i lean my head over and take my eye off the road so to speak to see them i can't see the lit up part in the sun, third this is were i take a quick look at the digital display but i can't see that without glasses, so i just put them down and call it a day.

 

[farmo83]

I'm curious to see how this goes as well. Why Schiada left these off of boats is beyond me. I've always thought I don't have room on the dash for them. If it's not a big job though I'll get creative and get them in somewhere.

 

[28Eliminator]

I got the older benett indicators, 3 things about them, first they are behind the steering wheel so they are hard to see, second when i lean my head over and take my eye off the road so to speak to see them i can't see the lit up part in the sun, third this is were i take a quick look at the digital display but i can't see that without glasses, so i just put them down and call it a day.

I agree on the behind the steering wheel problem.... Plus they're big and ugly[emoji107][emoji53]



This indicator dealio looks cool[emoji106], but each of mine have dual Rams.. I guess just change the top on one / each side..

 

[Paul65k]

I agree on the behind the steering wheel problem.... Plus they're big and ugly[emoji107][emoji53]

View attachment 506476

This indicator dealio looks cool[emoji106], but each of mine have dual Rams.. I guess just change the top on one / each side..

Yeah.....that system is for single or dual ram systems (mine dual ram too) and you only replace one on each side. It does require running new wires to the switch/indicator. I'm thinking it won't be too big a deal as I plan to take the seats out and get them redone right away anyhow.

 

[Ultra247]

Paul,

I literally gave a set of the new 9000 series replacement switches with the LED indicators to the guy who bought my Eliminator about a month ago. I bought them because they come as replacement switches with LED indicators built into the switch plate on each side. There were not additional indicators to mount. I was planning to use them to convert from switches only to switches with LED's.

Sorry I missed you!! Good luck with the conversion and I do think that it is worth putting them on.

Rick

 

[Paul65k]

Paul,

I literally gave a set of the new 9000 series replacement switches with the LED indicators to the guy who bought my Eliminator about a month ago. I bought them because they come as replacement switches with LED indicators built into the switch plate on each side. There were not additional indicators to mount. I was planning to use them to convert from switches only to switches with LED's.

Sorry I missed you!! Good luck with the conversion and I do think that it is worth putting them on.

Rick

Well they say timing is everything Rick......thanks for the thoughts.....pretty sure I'm gonna do this[emoji106][emoji106]