2001 rinker 310 trim tabs

summerx

All,

I found that my tabs stopped working on me this weekend.  they previously were fine.  I am not even sure if they are electric or hydraulic, but believe hydraulic.  when I hit the tab rockers, I hear noise, but have no movement from the tabs.  I was thinking that they could be low on hydraulic fluid.  Any idea where that tank would be?  I opened the hatch when we go in yesterday, but the engines were too hot to crawl around looking for it.  any suggestions?
thanks,
Craig

summerx

hmmm.  that makes me wonder where my problem would lie?  Any thoughts.  I must have power to the tab actuator, bc I can hear it trying to move, but nothing happens.  I guess I can google common problems with the electric tabs.
Any other suggestions would be great.
thanks
Craig

summerx

I honestly don't know.  I just haven't had/taken the time to really explore the details of the boat. it sounds more like a motor trying to work, but there is no movement from the tabs.  I am only able to hear it with the engines off, while I was trying them on the lift.

Black_Diamond

If you have Lenco (electric) tabs, there is nothing to 'click' as RY stated.  How are you sure the tabs are not moving?  I had an actuator go bad, the housing cracked..resulted in corrosion on my drives from the DC power in the water  

summerx

when I was out boating, while pulling the kids kneeboarding, I wasn't able to get the bow as low as I previously could.  After we were done, I tried burying one tab a time, and there was no lateral movement.  Once back on my lift, I held them both in the full down position for 15+ seconds and they were where they started...

Black_Diamond

Back to square one. lol If someone added hyd tabs, then low oil or a leak would be the suspect item. The clicking sounds like a solonoid for a motor or valves then.

summerx

thanks BD,  that was my assumption for having hydraulic.  it sounds like a motor is trying to move something, but there isn't any motion....going to have to crawl around this weekend prior to going out, while the motors are cool..

JC290

On my 2003 290 they are electric over hydraulic.

summerx

Any idea where the hydraulic reservoir is located? I'm assuming along the transom somewhere near the tabs?

JC290

Your are correct on my old 242 it was starboard side

summerx

Thanks jc. Gives me a place to start this weekend.

frodo13056

My 1999 272 had the Bennett hydraulic tabs and the reservoir was located on the transom in the engine compartment pretty much dead center of the boat. The reservoir was red in color. On my 2003 270, it had the Lenco electric tabs with the auto retract feature when the engine is turned off - the tabs automatically retract to the full up position. Took me awhile to figure out why I kept hearing the electric motors for the tabs every time I shutdown the engine. Also, be aware that the Port control switch actually controls the Starbord tab and the Starboard switch controls the Port tab.

raybo3

Time for me to chime in here...... I HATE lenco trim tabs. Putting an electric motor under salt water is not a good idea in my opinion. I have had nothing but problems with them and I am going to convert to Bennett tabs this fall after the boat is out of the water for the winter. I pretty much feel that lenco is garbage.........