Hey guys I have a trim tab that is stuck in the down position. It makes a noise like when it used to go up and down, the other one works just fine. Is there a possibility it has come off a track or something or is it always that the actuator has went out. How hard is it to replace?
Gambler Intimidator
Nevermind. It looks like there's no way to replace internal
Parts. Replacing the actuator doesn't look to b too hard though
Gambler Intimidator
Not hard to replace actuator.
I'm trying to find somebody to just sell me actuator motors. I have worn out the brushes in a few motors. I have never had an issue with the "cork screw" part of the actuator.
Are you sure the bad actuator dosen't have a bent shaft?
If you have someone apply upward pressure on the trim tab while you work the control button it should go up.
JAZII
It does go up when you do what youre talking about. But i dont know how to fix it other than buying a whole new piece. Is there a way to fix it otherwise?
Gambler Intimidator
It would be pretty hard to break into those sealed motors to replace parts. Its been a few years since i have checked but these guys make an actuator that by the spec sheet anyways looks to be just as good if not better made then the lencos'. http://www.lectrotab.com/ I was always going to buy one of their timed gauges so at least you would have somewhat of an idea where you were at.
The actuator housing comes apart easy. In the upper part of the actuator is a DC motor and some gears. I have never messed with the the screw part.
Lenco will not sell parts, only actuators.
JAZII
I couldnt find any individual parts anywhere. I called mike at gambler and he sent one. not a bad price on it and got some gambler goodies to go with it
Gambler Intimidator
Adam see if you can gently pull up n the stuck trim tab while hitting up on the trim tab button. I had the same problem one time and that fixed it... I had some grass pull it loose when I put the boat in reverse in a cove full of grass on the potomac
I worked it back and forth like that several times. It'll only work if you're actually pushing on it.
Gambler Intimidator
How much does the new actuator cost. Havent been able to look at mine yet, that has gone bad, but if they are not that expensive it might not be a bad idea for me to just keep one in stock at the house. Are they both the same for the port and starboard side.
Woow about 210 bucks for a actuator, guess i am not going to be stocking them.
if it will move at all while pushing, then you need to grease it and continue to work back and forth...it will eventually start going on its on...those things tend to go bad if you dont use them often...
Sterling 22XS / Mercury Pro XS V8
Where do you grease it at? my starboard side is acting sluggish.
I just got my ass kicked by the first actuator i had to change, took almost 4 hours to get the frickin things changed out, including one trip to the auto store down the road to get silicone and some crimp connectors. Maybe there is a easier way but i could not get the steel tube or the actuator out without having to jack up the back of my boat with a car jack. Should be alot easier next time now that i know what has to be done, probally take less than 2 hours on the next one.
Now that it is done i don't think i even had to take the steel tub out that the actuator sits inside, thats what took the longest was getting the silicone to break apart. Probally alot easier with a second set of hands.
Last edited by Gambler Bob; 05-11-2012 at 08:26 PM.
No need to take the tube out.
Yes you will have to jack the boat off the trailer some for tab clearance.
MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE TAB TO ACTUATOR HARDWARE!
JAZII
When I changed mine years ago I disconnected the the trim tab from the actuator, then unscrewed the plate from the boat and the actuator dropped straight down,,, changed both in an hour..
Mine just started slipping on the internal gears and would hang up, took it apart and the gear sets were trashed.
Last edited by Gamblurr man; 05-13-2012 at 08:57 AM.
I thought about doing it that way, definetly seemed easier, i just did not want to be screwing and unscrewing those screws to much fearing that the might strip out eventually.Originally Posted by Gamblurr man
Jeff,It would be pretty hard to break into those sealed motors to replace parts. Its been a few years since i have checked but these guys make an actuator that by the spec sheet anyways looks to be just as good if not better made then the lencos'. Electromechanical Trim Tab Systems | Lectrotab I was always going to buy one of their timed gauges so at least you would have somewhat of an idea where you were at.
Could one of the 8 second timed gauges be wired in easily? Or, would this be an ordeal I shouldn't even consider.
As mentioned on the old bbcboards, could one of their control units also be used if one swapped out the factory actuators to their Life Time Warranty ones.
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