Anatomy of a trim tab / solenoid

[pmurphy]

One of my trim tabs is stuck in the down position and I need it to be in the up position quickly. I’m on the hard and need to have it up to replace an actuator. I’m in search of a quick fix like swapping some wires to get it raised. The starboard tab works fine. When pushing the port tab rocker switch in either direction there is no activity at the solenoid, so it’s likely a bad solenoid. I don’t have time to source and replace it now, I just need the quick fix to get launched. Are there any suggestions of how I might move things around to get the other tab up? I was going to try swapping the “capsules “ on top of the pump (one with the green wire and one with the red wire) to see if that would work but thought I’d get some advice here first. Thanks, Pat

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[Captain Ralph]

Crack open the compression fitting to that tab. Yes, fluid will spray everywhere so just crack it and catch the dribble under the pump assembly.

The tab cylinders are spring loaded to return closed.

 

[jmooney]

Just crack the hydraulic line to the cylinder. The actuators retract by springs in the actuator. Be careful to wrap the compression fitting that you loosen , as the fluid will fly out and make a real mess if not hitting you in the face .

 

[pmurphy]

Of course! I thought of that on my ride home tonight too. Could be messy.
When I go to troubleshoot the problem I'll start with the electrical solenoid, making sure current is leaving the solenoid when it's supposed to. If all that checks out, I'm wondering if the "capsule" could be defective. What function do you think the capsule handles? It almost looks like a solenoid you'd find in sprinkler system in your yard, a simple open and close solenoid. If so, maybe one handles the port and one handles the starboard?