Travel on the TAPS "fin"

[rob_and_trish]

Can some do a quick check for me on the travel of their TAPS fin.
Im looking for the distance the TAPS piston travels from 1 - 7 as well as approx angle when on 1 and 7 relative to the hull.

My TAPS has been sticking the past few times out and i checked to this morning while on the trailer and there was hardly any travel on the piston (maybe 2 inches) and just about no noticable difference in angle.

Any pics would also be great.

The boat only has like 30 hours on it.

Thanks
-Rob

[sagmanaur]

Travel of Taps

Rob,

I don't know for sure the travel, but just looking at the piston length, I would think it wouldn't be much more than 2 inches.

Steve

[smendez]

Rob:

I also have a 2003 22V. I thought the taps was getting stuck, but my dealer says it's the gauge. After looking at it more closely, I agree with him. The taps screw and plate go up and down properly, but the gauge seems to 'stick' around the middle of the range.

The travel is a lot less than I thought (like you have noticed), but it seems that's the way it is.

It may be time for a new gauge for you as well.

Saulo

[steve power]

Rob - I have had the same problems with my 2003 22V TAPS. First my gauge broke and was replaced. Now I get very minimal wake movement and the dealer says its the way it is supposed to be. The total distance that the screw travels in the shaft is approximately 1". The total plate deflection at the tip of the plate is just over 2". I cannot get any reply or help from Tige customer service and the dealer says that its ok.

Looks like we should have bought a Supra.

Steve

[larrym]

The cyclinders uesd to control the taps plate are standard issue. Look in your new buyers packet for the manufacture. They should be able to answer all of your questions assuming you can provide them with the correct model number.

Trim tabs have been used to stabilize boats for several years and are used by several boat manufactures. The problem that I have encountered is the boat is so maintenance free that the dealers utilize entry level mechanics.

Try talking to a dealer that has a larger service department, chances are your Tige dealer already contracts with one.

[dogbert]

It's definitely the gauge. I've got a 1999 21V and it started this soon after I bought it. It's real intermittent and I've found if you tap on the gauge a couple of times it gets unstuck.

[Tige M.D.]

there are 2 types of taps systems used on tiges.

1. bennet brand is a hydraulic system that uses a dual ram with a mechanical sending unit for the gauge. we had problems with the gauges and the running joke was tap the gauge for taps
not too often did we have problems with the sender. usually the gauge, it is a faria brand gauge.

2. lenco is the new style. it has a single electric ram. the travel of this ram is approx. 1 7/8". there is no sending unit in the ram it is in the computer and works off a timer. so, in theory if the plate does not move the computer does not know it and still tells the gauge to move. we have had some problems with both the computer and ram. the ram problem was, it would get stuck and not move. the computer would do all kinds of things.

if the gauge is sticking then most likley it is bad.

replacing the gauge has nothing to do with the travel of the plate. maybe there was more wrong than just the gauge.

[Andrew]

Greg is correct about the taps system. Sorry for the delayed response however I have been out having major surgery, Back was broke in 2 places, however I am back on a limited basis untill fully recovered. The movement is approx 1 7/8 inch. The best thing to do is have the dealership look into this and should be a easy fix. The gauge does not have anything to do with the movement of the plate. Hope this helps

[whitlock87]

Taps 2

After reading what has been said about the taps, I check my this weekend.
if you measure at the back of the plat it moves 4”
If you measure the shaft movement it is around 1.75”
I get a zero angle to the bottom of the boat around 4 on my taps gage

This is on a 2004 switch V

[Tige NZ]

We had the same problem on our last 20 V I dried it out and it was fine again. The mosture form leaving it out with a cover on gets into your electrics.
The Taps 2 is sweet.
Heaps more movement.