Taps Busted!

[tigetex]

The bottom part of the ram on my taps unit busted clean off. I was surprized when I looked at it to find it was plastic! It broke right where the metal piston meets the little bracket that attaches to the plate.

As far as I know, I didn't hit anything or damage it in any way.

Has anyone else had this happen? What does it take to fix it. It looks like the ram itself is easy to change out, but the wiring looks pretty inacessable.

Suggestions anybody?

[tigetex]

BTW......2003 22IR

[Ruune]

Do you have an electric motor, or is it a hydraulic one? I installed the 3rd motor (including the original) on mine this weekend- 2004 22v.

Basically the electric motor has 2 wires, which were previously spliced by the dealer when it was replaced last, so I just cut the previous connection and spliced in the new one.

As far as removing the motor/ram, its fairly simple- remove the three machine screws on the TAPS plate, then do the same for the top. You will notice a difference in the two plastic mounting brackets, in that the top one has a hole that feeds the wiring through. Simply cut the wiring for the broken one, but leave enough to work with when you want to splice in the replacement motor. Once its cut, pull it through the transom.

Next, remove the plastic mounts from both ends of the old motor. you can hammer the plastic hinge pins out w/ a rubber mallet and a hole punch. Also, you'll need to save the original pins, since the kit I got from Tigé didnt include them. (!)

Before installing the new one, clean all the silicon off from the previous installation- be careful not to scratch that gelcoat.

If you order the replacement ram from Tigé, it will come with a BUNCH of screws and two plastic mounting plates. Remember- the top one has the hole through it for the wiring. Feed the wire through before you attach the plastic mount. Remember- the top one "points" forward and the bottom one "points" backwards. You'll know what I mean when you look at the mounting brackets.

Once you've got the brackets mounted up, start feeding the entire cable from the new motor through the hole. Be sure you dont tear the plastic insulation, as it can get hung up and stretch out as you're feeding it through. Once you're about a foot or so from the motor being to where it's going to be mounted, go ahead and figure how much slack you need to splice into the previous line (where you cut it before). Remember- dont cut it too short- it'll be a pain to reconnect.

At this point, you can either solder, heat shrink, and seal (electrical tape and/or silicon), the connection- or you can go with the trailer-park style screw-on splice that you find at radio shack, et al. I chose the former.

[tigetex]

Thanks for the help.

[Wake Havasu]

I installed the 3rd motor (including the original) on mine this weekend- 2004 22v.

You have got to be kidding!

[Ruune]

nope... 3rd motor (including the original).

[Wake Havasu]

So given the time and expense you have spent repairing the TAPS would it be better for you to switch to sacks?

[Ruune]

no- I use both. I typically run 540lbs in the front and 2x350 in the back, on either side of the engine. I wouldnt recommend getting one w/o TAPS, as the boat will porpoise unmercifully above wakeboard speeds without it. Still, the convex V hull makes the best shaped wake that I've ridden.

[Waldburger]

more TAPS trouble...

I was out on the lake yesterday and noticed for the first time all year that my TAPS wasn't going down to the salom position regularly. Every so often it would work when I tried to bring it down, but other than that I couldn't even hear the motor. I hear the motor when I try and bring the TAPS back to wakeboard levels. I don't know if its the same problem as everyone else? Anyone think just a loose connection? Any thoughts??

[Waldburger]

P.S. 2004 20V...

[Ruune]

thats exactly what was happening with my first motor before it went out completely. call your dealer.

[Andrew]

Yes Ruune is correct please contact your dealer so this can be corrected and you do not lose time on the water. Let me know if there are any further questions.

Andrew