Bennett AutoTrim Pro Control for Electric Trim Tabs 12V

The Bennett AutoTrim Pro for Electric Trim Tabs (part AP000A1BC) is the automatic trim tab control system for the Bennett BOLT (Bolt Electronic / electric) trim tab platform on 12-volt boats. It does for trim tabs what cruise control does for engine throttle: automatically maintains a level pitch and roll attitude by adjusting the trim tabs in real time, with the option to take full manual control any time you want it. The result: less time fiddling with the tab switches, more time looking forward and driving the boat.

What AutoTrim Pro actually does. The system reads the boat's pitch (bow-up / bow-down attitude) and roll (left / right list) via internal sensors, compares the current attitude to your stored target attitude, and commands small trim tab adjustments to bring the boat back toward target. As the boat accelerates onto plane, AutoTrim Pro deploys the tabs to lift the bow out of the water and reduce drag. As the boat reaches cruise, AutoTrim Pro retracts the tabs to the optimal cruising position. As wind shifts the boat into a list, AutoTrim Pro corrects with asymmetric tab adjustment to bring the boat back level. As weight shifts (a passenger walks to one side), AutoTrim Pro corrects again. All automatically, all without the operator having to constantly manage the tab switches.

Two favorite running attitudes in memory. Most boats have two distinct preferred trim attitudes: a hole-shot / acceleration attitude (more bow lift, full tabs to get on plane fast) and a cruise / efficiency attitude (less bow lift, partial tabs for the most efficient running speed). AutoTrim Pro stores both in memory so you can recall whichever fits the moment with a single button press. Hit Memory 1 for the hole-shot setup, Memory 2 for the cruise setup. The system then maintains that target attitude automatically as conditions change.

Manual control with automatic override. The bow-up and bow-down buttons on the keypad let you take full manual command of the tabs at any time without first switching off AutoTrim Pro. Just push the button. The tabs respond to the manual command, and AutoTrim Pro pauses while you're in manual mode. Release the button and AutoTrim Pro resumes automatic operation from the new tab position. The hands-on / hands-off transition is seamless - no menu, no toggle switch, no waiting for a mode change.

One-touch full-up and full-down buttons. Two dedicated one-touch buttons run the tabs to full extension positions: Full Down for hole-shot acceleration onto plane, Full Up for following-sea running where you want the bow free to ride waves and for coming into the beach where the lower units need clearance. One press, one full action, no need to hold the button.

Automatic tab retraction at ignition off. When you shut the boat down at the end of a fishing day, AutoTrim Pro automatically retracts the trim tabs to the full-up position. Why that matters: tabs left deployed during trailering can take impact damage from road debris, tabs left deployed at the dock can take impact from passing boat wakes or from leaning into a piling, and tabs left deployed in storage can develop tab-position memory that affects performance after long inactivity. Automatic retraction at ignition-off prevents all three failure modes.

LED tab position indication with adjustable intensity. The keypad's LED indicator strip shows current tab position (full up, partial deploy, full down) at a glance. The light intensity is adjustable so the LEDs are bright enough for daytime visibility without being blinding at night. Useful for confirming that AutoTrim Pro is actually doing what you expect, and for checking tab position before docking or beaching.

OEM-customizable response time. The AutoTrim Pro's response time (how aggressively it corrects vs. how smoothly it averages out short-term boat motion) can be configured to match the specific boat: engine power class, hull type (deep-V vs. modified-V vs. flat), actuator type, and trim tab plane size. The OEM-level customization means the system runs well on a 17-foot bay boat with small tabs and a 50 hp outboard, and equally well on a 28-foot center console with large tabs and triple 300 hp outboards. The configuration is set during install via the included diagnostics control unit.

Diagnostics control unit included. The diagnostics control unit (a small handheld interface) connects to the AutoTrim Pro for initial configuration, troubleshooting, and any post-install adjustments. The same diagnostics unit handles firmware updates if Bennett ships any over the system's life. Installers and dealers use the diagnostics unit during commissioning to dial in the response time and verify all wiring is correct.

For Bennett BOLT (electric) trim tabs. This AP000A1BC variant is the electric-trim-tab version of AutoTrim Pro, designed specifically for the Bennett BOLT Electronic trim tab platform. The wiring connections, voltage levels, and feedback signals are matched to BOLT actuators. For Bennett hydraulic trim tab systems, the AutoTrim Pro hydraulic variant (different part number) is the right choice. For non-Bennett trim tab systems, AutoTrim Pro can be installed with most other electric and hydraulic systems but the wiring and configuration require additional install work.

25-foot cable. The 25-foot cable from the AutoTrim Pro keypad to the trim tab control system covers the typical run from the helm location to the trim tab actuator wiring at the transom. For longer runs, splice in additional cable using standard marine connectors. The cable is marine-grade tinned copper for long-term corrosion resistance in the bilge environment.

Install. Mount the AutoTrim Pro keypad at the helm in a flush dash cutout (the keypad is the same compact form factor as a standard Bennett tab switch, so it fits in most existing helm holes). Wire the 25-foot cable from the keypad to the trim tab control system. Connect to 12V switched power and ground. Run the diagnostics control unit setup to configure response time and verify operation. Total install time is typically 1-2 hours for someone with reasonable mechanical and electrical skill.

What's in the box. AutoTrim Pro keypad, 25-foot wiring cable, diagnostics control unit, mounting hardware, and install instructions. Required separately: the Bennett BOLT trim tab system itself (this is the upgrade controller for boats that already have BOLT tabs installed, or for new BOLT installs that want the AutoTrim Pro option from day one).

Bennett Marine warranty applies. Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock units.