Dometic Optimus Adaptive Trim Tab System User manual

POWER & CONTROL
ADAPTIVE TRIM TAB
SYSTEM
[REVISION C] Form No. 682228 | ©2020 Dometic Corporation
Optimus Adaptive Trim Tab System
Adaptive Trim Tab System
Operating manual
EN

© 2020 Dometic Group. The visual appearance of the contents of this manual is
protected by copyright and design law. The underlying technical design and the
products contained herein may be protected by design, patent or be patent
pending. The trademarks mentioned in this manual belong to Dometic Sweden AB.
All rights are reserved.

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Please read this manually carefully before first use. Store it on your boat,
or in a safe place, for future reference. If you sell your boat, hand over
this manual along with it.
Table of contents
1 Explanation of symbols .......................................... 3
2 General safety instructions ....................................... 3
3 Technical description ........................................... 4
4 Trim tab principles of operation ................................... 5
5 Using the system ............................................... 6
6 Faults and troubleshooting...................................... 12
7 Maintenance and cleaning ...................................... 14
8 Warranty .................................................... 15
9 Disposal ..................................................... 16
10 Technical data ................................................ 16

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1 Explanation of symbols
WARNING!
Safety instruction: Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION!
Safety instruction: Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided,
could result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE!
Indicates a situation that, if not avoided, can result in property damage.
NOTE
Supplementary information for operating the product.
2 General safety instructions
The manufacturer accepts no liability for damage in the following cases:
• Physical damage to the product.
• Damage due to incorrect installation or connection voltage.
• Alterations to the product.
• Use for purposes other than those described in the operating manual.
The CE declaration of conformity can be requested from the manufacturer (contact
information on the back of this manual).
2.1 General safety
• Read and understand all instructions included with your system prior to use.
• Disconnect power from the actuators (with battery switches or circuit breaker)
before working at the transom of the boat.
• Only use the trim tab system as intended.
• Do not use tabs as a boarding step.
•
When liing the boat, do not place the liing straps or forks on the tabs or actuators.
• Do not push or pull on the tabs or actuators when putting the boat on or off
a trailer.
• Do not tie off or secure anything to the actuators.
• See an Optimus-certified dealer for repairs if the trim tabs, actuators, or controller
are modified, damaged or not working correctly.
•
The controller and actuators are not user serviceable; do not attempt to disassemble.

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2.2 Safe operation
• The trim tab actuators are powerful mechanical devices that can cause injury.
Ensure no one is at risk of being injured before operating a tab when
swimmers are in the water, or when operating the tabs on a trailer with people
or children around.
• The trim tab system is not a toy. Do not allow children to operate the system.
WARNING!
Exercise sound judgment when using trim tabs in challenging sea
conditions. In some cases the safest action is to run with tabs fully
retracted.
3 Technical description
Your Adaptive Trim Tab System is the industry’s first trim system with position feedback.
This state-of-the-art system gives you immediate, precise, and repeatable control of
vessel trim. With built-in intelligence, it can be integrated with Optimus Electronic
Power Steering for complete vessel control. When integrated with Optimus, the
system is called the Optimus Adaptive Trim Tab System.
The AdaptiveTrim Tab System consists of three primary components: the adaptive
actuators, the sheet metal tabs, and the adaptive dial controller. The adaptive dial
controller is unique in the industry with smart function buttons and an intuitive dial
control that makes roll adjustment simple and obvious.
The system operates on 12VDC, and uses a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus for
communications. The controller can control up to four trim tab actuators and precisely
synchronize their movement.
No. in
fig. 1, page 1 Description
1 Adaptive Dial Controller
2Transom bracket
3Adaptive Actuator
4Trim tab
3.1 System components

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4 Trim tab principles of operation
Trim tabs are plates, installed in pairs, used to control the pitch and roll of a boat
by directing water as it flows past the transom. They work by harnessing the
hydrodynamic forces exerted by moving water, so the boat must be in motion
for the tabs to have an effect.
No. in
fig. 2, page 1 Description
1Favorite button
2Port tab position indicator
3Control dial
4Bow down button
5System status indicator
6Starboard tab position indicator
7Home button
8Bow up button
3.2 Controller operating and display elements
WITH TRIM TABS IN USE WITHOUT TRIM TABS
When a tab is lowered, the directed water flow will exert an upward force at the stern
of the boat. If both tabs are lowered at the same time the upward force at the stern
will force the bow down (pitch control). If only one tab is lowered it will force the bow
down on the opposite side, causing the boat to roll (roll control). The combination
of pitch and roll is the boat’s attitude.
By adjusting the boat’s attitude, the boat operator can get on plane faster, stay on
plane at lower speeds, increase top speed, correct a small list, improve ride quality
and visibility, reduce porpoising, and improve fuel economy.

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5 Using the system
5.1 Basic features and operation
The dash-mounted Adaptive Dial Controller is designed for intuitive operation. The
function of each interface feature is described below.
Displays the status of the trim tab system.
Steady green System is ready
Steady magenta Holeshot mode is activated, based on SOG
Steady lime green Holeshot mode is activated, based on RPM
Flashing blue System is in LED brightness adjustment mode
Flashing cyan The system has memorized the favorite position
Steady blue Tabs retracted automatically
Flashing yellow Controller has a non-critical fault (see section 6)
Flashing red Controller has a critical fault (see section 6)
System
Status
Indicator
Shows the position of port and starboard tabs. At full retraction a
single LED is shown at the top. As the tabs are extended the LEDs will
illuminate to show the tab position.
Tab
Position
Indicator
LEDs
Bow
Down
Bow
Up
Control
Dial
Lowers both tabs simultaneously, causing the bow to drop. Press and
release to move both tabs a preset increment, or press and hold until
the desired pitch is achieved. To enable fine control, the actuator
speed is reduced for the first second the button is held, aer which
the actuators move at full speed for larger adjustments.
Raises both tabs simultaneously, causing the bow to rise. Press and
release to move both tabs a preset increment, or press and hold until
the desired pitch is achieved. To enable fine control, the actuator
speed is reduced for the first second the button is held, aer which
the actuators move at full speed for larger adjustments.
Rolls the boat in the direction of rotation. Rotating the dial to starboard
(clockwise) will cause the port tab to lower and the starboard tab to
raise, causing the boat to roll to starboard. Turning the dial to port
(counterclockwise) will have the opposite effect.

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Home
Favorite
Use this control with caution: turn one click at a time and wait a
moment to see how the boat reacts before making further adjustments.
While this control can be used to correct a list due to uneven loading,
best practice is to load your boat as evenly as possible, and to keep
passenger movement at a minimum while underway at high speeds.
The relative positions of the tabs are maintained when using the Bow
Down and Bow Up controls, so if you’ve used the roll control to
correct for a list it will remain corrected as you alter the bow position.
Press once to retract actuators to their fully retracted home position.
Use this button when:
• you encounter difficult sea conditions and need to raise the bow,
• preparing to load the boat onto a trailer,
• preparing the boat for liing.
The home button will immediately override any automatic operation
of the trim tab actuators and return them to home position. When the
tabs reach the home position the trim tab position indicator LED will
blink three times.
The Favorite button has two functions, described in detail in section 5.2:
1. Set and recall a Favorite trim tab position.
2. Toggle Holeshot mode on or off.
You can switch between these functions by pressing and holding the
Favorite and Bow Up buttons together for three seconds. The system
status indicator will briefly flash magenta to show the Holeshot function
is enabled, or green to show the Favorite function is enabled.
5.1.1 Adjusting LED brightness
Press and hold the Home and Favorite buttons together.
✓The system status indicator flashes blue and the starboard tab position
indicators all light up.
✓As you continue to hold the buttons, the brightness of the LEDs will cycle
through five levels.
Release the buttons at the desired brightness level.

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NOTE: Integrated brightness control
If your boat is equipped with Optimus Electronic Power Steering (EPS),
the trim tab controller brightness can be adjusted using the CANtrak
display’s brightness control. See your Optimus User Manual for
instructions.
NOTE
To use this function it must be enabled. See the description of the
Favorite button in section 5.1.
5.1.2 Preparing to trailer or li the boat
Press the Home button.
✓The actuators will retract. When both tab position indicators show only one
LED, the tabs are fully retracted.
You are ready to trailer or li the boat.
NOTICE! Material damage
Trailering or lifting the boat with the trim tabs extended may cause
irreparable damage to the tabs and actuators.
5.2 Advanced features and operation
5.2.1 Setting and recalling a favorite position
With this function you can memorize a trim tab position and return to it at any time
with a single press of a button.
Setting a favorite position:
Press the Favorite button (fig. 21, page 1) for five seconds.
✓The system status indicator will flash cyan three times to confirm the position
has been saved.
Recalling a favorite position:
Press the Favorite button.
✓The tabs will adjust to the saved favorite position.
CAUTION! Varying sea conditions
If sea conditions have changed since you last set a favorite position,
use caution when recalling it.

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NOTE: Holeshot mode prerequisites
• Holeshot mode requires an engine gear signal and either an engine
RPM or GPS speed-over-ground source.
• If your boat is equipped with Optimus Electronic Power Steering
(EPS), or has an NMEA2000 network with an engine gateway, you
will likely have the engine gear and RPM signal, and you may have an
SOG source.
Holeshot mode is a semi-automatic mode designed to get your boat up on plane
quickly, with a minimum of operator involvement. It allows you to keep your focus
on the water ahead of you and the safe operation of your boat.
When activated, Holeshot mode simplifies getting on plane. It will automatically
deploy the trim tabs when it detects a Holeshot (a minimum engine RPM is
reached), then retract them to the Adaptive Cruising Favorite setpoint as speed
increases and the boat gets on plane.
To perform a Holeshot:
Trim your outboard or sterndrive as you normally would for launch.
Press the Favorite button (fig. 21, page 1).
✓The system status indicator (fig. 25, page 1) will light up magenta or lime
green. Magenta indicates that SOG is used to control deployment, while lime
green indicates RPM is used.
Increase throttle to your normal launch RPM.
✓The Adaptive Trim Tab System manages tab deployment to get you up on
lane quickly.
Manually adjust engine trim and trim tabs as necessary for the conditions.
5.2.2 Adaptive Cruising Favorite setpoint
As you operate your boat and adjust the trim settings the system stores the latest
stable setting as an Adaptive Cruising Favorite setpoint. A stable setting is one that
is maintained for twenty seconds while Holeshot mode is activated and the engine
RPM or speed over ground meets a preset minimum. The system status indicator
will flash cyan when the system has memorized a favorite position.
The Adaptive Cruising Favorite setpoint is used by the Holeshot mode, and is only
available in systems in which Holeshot mode is enabled by the builder/dealer.
5.2.3 Holeshot mode

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NOTE
If you cannot activate Holeshot mode:
• Your boat may not have an engine RPM or GPS speed-over-ground
source.
• Holeshot mode may be disabled. See the description of the Favorite
button in section 5.1.
• Check that at least one engine is running, no engines are in reverse
gear, and that an Optimus joystick (if equipped) is not active.
NOTE: Holeshot performance
The performance of holeshot mode is sensitive to tab size, system
tuning, and throttle application. If holeshot performance is unsatisfactory,
contact your dealer for assistance.
NOTE: Planing time limit
When RPM is used to control the tab deployment (i.e. no SOG source),
there is a time limit between activation and when you must initiate the
holeshot (by throttling up). The default limit is 15 seconds.
NOTE: Holeshot automatic deactivation
If Holeshot mode is activated, it will automatically deactivate when:
• all engines are switched off
• any engine is shifted into reverse
• an Optimus joystick is activated
Holeshot mode will automatically reactivate when at least one engine is
running, no engines are in reverse, and the joystick is not active.
WARNING!
If sea conditions have changed since the last Adaptive Cruising Favorite
setpoint was stored, the trim position may be unsuitable, and could
potentially put the boat in a poor attitude for the conditions. Trim the
tabs manually in this case. Always use your best judgment before
activating Holeshot mode.

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5.2.4 Automatic retraction
The trim tabs will automatically retract:
• when the ignition is switched off*,
• when the engine(s) are placed in reverse gear**,
• when Optimus joystick control or SeaStation are activated (when boat is
so equipped).
5.2.5 Homing
When the trim tab controller is powered on, the system will go through a homing
cycle. The trim tabs will retract at slow speed until the end of travel is detected.
This ensures the accuracy of the position feedback.
During the homing cycle the tab position indicator LEDs will light up sequentially
from bottom to top. When the home position is detected the top LED will blink
three times.
* Battery switches must remain on.
** Requires a gear position signal. Standard on Optimus systems.

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6 Faults and troubleshooting
6.1 Fault types
Non-critical faults
A flashing yellow status LED indicates a fault that does not affect the actuators.
An example is a faulty dial sensor. The trim tabs would still be operable using the
bow up and bow down buttons, but the dial would not work.
Critical faults
A flashing red status LED indicates a critical fault that will prevent one or both
actuators from operating.
Conditions that can cause a critical fault include:
• low or high battery voltage (these will reset automatically if the voltage
condition is corrected).
Actuator faults
A flashing tab position LED indicates an actuator fault. The LED corresponding to
the last known position will flash.
Conditions that can cause an actuator fault include:
•
an actuator harness is unplugged, corroded, or otherwise not making a connection.
• a short circuit in the actuator or harness.
• something is preventing the tab from moving.
• a mechanical fault in the actuator.
6.1.1 Fault recovery
In the event of a critical fault that does not clear you will usually need to take your
boat to a marine technician (or an Optimus-certified dealer when equipped with
Optimus) for diagnosis and repair. If you are on the water, experience and judgment
may suggest that you return to port immediately, especially if conditions are changing.
A tab position that has the boat in a good running attitude now may be a poor tab
position if the wind changes.
If the tabs are stuck in a position that gives the boat a poor running attitude, the best
response is to slow down. The slower the boat moves the less effect the tabs have
on attitude.

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6.2 Troubleshooting
Problem Cause Remedy
The system status
LED is off.
The ignition is not on. Turn on the ignition.
Circuit breaker or
fuse has tripped.
Reset breaker or replace fuse.
The controller is not
receiving a wakeup
signal.
Optimus Adaptive Trim Tab System:
if the CANtrak is on, check the
connections in the CAN2 network.
If the CANtrak is not on, check the
Optimus EPS ignition sensing wire.
Adaptive trim tab system: check the
ignition sensing wire.
The system status LED
is flashing yellow.
Holeshot mode is
activated, but the
speed source is
missing.
Multi-engine boats: check that all
engines are running.
Contact your dealer.
If one or both tab
position indicators
are off, the tab(s)
have failed to home
correctly.
Try pressing the Home button again.
Check that nothing is physically
preventing the tabs from moving to
the home position.
Contact your dealer.
The system status
LED is flashing red.
Tab position
indicators are solid.
Battery voltage is
too low or too high.
Check battery voltage.
The system status LED
is flashing red. One
or both tab position
indicators are flashing.
Tab(s) with blinking
position indicators are
not making position.
Check that nothing is physically
preventing the tabs from moving.
If there is no obstruction, contact
your dealer.
Holeshot mode
won’t enable.
Your boat is not
equipped with a
speed source.
Contact your dealer.
The boat builder or
system installer has
deactivated
this system.
Contact your dealer.
Holeshot
performance
is poor.
Sea conditions are
different than the
mode was tuned for.
Adjust trim manually.
Holeshot settings have
not been optimized
for your boat.
Contact your dealer.

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7 Maintenance and cleaning
NOTICE! Material damage
• Do not use acetone, or cleaners containing ammonia, acids, or any
other corrosive ingredients.
• Some products formulated for cleaning fiberglass hulls are known to
aggressively corrode stainless steel shafts. If using a hull cleaner,
avoid overspray on to the actuators. Rinse off any overspray
immediately with fresh, clean water.
• Do not use sharp or hard objects to clean the controller. Damage to
the keypad membrane may occur.
• The controller bezel has a drain hole at the bottom. Do not spray
with water from below.
NOTICE! Corrosion
• The stainless steel tabs are corrosion resistant, but not corrosion proof.
• Properly installed zinc anodes will help prevent galvanic and stray
current corrosion.
• Some minor corrosion on the tabs may still occur and is not a
warrantable defect.
Whenever the boat is out of the water:
Rinse the tabs and actuators with clean, fresh water. Avoid hitting the actuator
with high pressure spray from a pressure washer.
Remove any marine growth such as weeds, barnacles, and shellfish from the
tabs and actuators.
Inspect tabs and actuators for damage, corrosion, or anything that might
impair function.
Check the condition of zinc anodes, if present, and replace if necessary.
Inspect the electrical harness for wear or damage.
Controller:
Clean the controller occasionally with a damp cloth.
NOTE: Invasive species
Do your part to protect our waterways from invasive species. If trailering
your boat to a different body of water than you normally boat in:
•
Thoroughly inspect trim tabs and actuators for any weeds and shellfish.
• Many boat builders mount the trim tabs in hull pockets that can
easily hide invasive species. Be sure to check these recesses.

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8 Warranty
We warrant to the original retail purchaser that Marine Canada Acquisition Inc.
DBA SEASTAR SOLUTIONS (herein forward referred to as SeaStar Solutions)
products have been manufactured free from defects in materials and workmanship.
This warranty is effective for two years from date of purchase, excepting that where
SeaStar Solutions products are used commercially or in any rental or income
producing activity, then this warranty is limited to one year from the date of purchase.
We will provide replacement product without charge, for any SeaStar Solutions
product meeting this warranty, which is returned (freight prepaid) within the warranty
period to the dealer from whom such product were purchased, or to us at the
appropriate address. In such a case SeaStar Solutions products found to be
defective and covered by this warranty, will be replaced at SeaStar Solutions’
option, and returned to the customer.
The above quoted statement is an extract from the complete SeaStar Solutions
products warranty statement. A complete warranty policy is available in our
SeaStar Solutions products catalogue.
For more information please visit our website:
www.seastarsolutions.com/support-2/warranty-2/seastar-solutions-warranty
8.1 Return goods procedure
Contact our warranty department at Lit[email protected]om for instructions.
8.2 Technical support
Phone: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
Hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 am — 4:30 pm CST

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9 Disposal
Dometic cares about the life cycle environmental impact of our products. Please
help us by recycling packaging materials, and properly disposing of our products
at the end of their useful life.
The actuators and controller are electro-mechanical components. They contain no
materials known to be hazardous. The actuators contain a mix of recyclable metal
parts, recyclable copper wiring, and non-recyclable plastic components.
Place the packaging in the appropriate recycling waste bins whenever possible.
At end-of-life, contact your local authorities for guidance regarding the
appropriate disposal of electronic and mixed metal/electronic waste.
10 Technical data
Table 10-1.
Standard actuator High-speed actuator
Connection voltage 12V DC nominal (9/16V min/max per SAE J1455)
Current draw at load 9.5A at 300 lbf (1340 N)
17.5A at 600 lbf (2680 N)
16A at 200 lbf (890 N)
33A at 300 lbf (1340 N)
Maximum static load,
tension
1000lbf (4.4 kN)
Maximum static load,
compression
1000lbf (4.4 kN)
Weight, actuator 2.25” stroke: 3.6 lb (1.6 kg)
4.25” stroke: 3.9 lb (1.8 kg)
Weight, controller .5 lb (.24 kg)
Weight, tab Varies with tab, approximately .036 lb/square inch
(2.54 g/square cm) of tab, exclusive of brackets and
hinges

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Notes

FORM NO. 682228 RE V. C
© 2020 DOMETIC
PRINTED IN THE USA 10/21
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