24 volt from 12 volt pararelle/series switch problem

[superboots]

I have a vetus bow thruster 24 volts and a 12 volt battery bank. A series/parallel switch - possibly by Bosch - has been fitted to supply the correct power to the thruster. Batteries have been replaced and are fully charged but only loud clicks come from the switch. I have electricians come and look but they cannot identify fault. There is 13 volts at the switch but this does not change when joystick is applied. No leads have been changed wiring is the same but unit has not been used for some time - no evidence of corrosion on terminals.
Anyone with experience of these devices who can point to likely fault much appreciated. I would like to fix it rather than to install dedicated batteries - 2 x 150 amp/hour - in the bow + battery charger. I'm already bows down from weight of chain!

 

[PaulRainbow]

If it's a Bosch switch like the one below, it has two fusible links. When you operate the bow thruster switch you should get a click at the Bosch switch and 24v at the thruster outputs, so connect a meter there and operate the bow thruster. If you get 24v from the switch look between the switch and the thruster, if no 24v it's obviously the Bosch switch.

http://www.sparkshop.co.nz/Catalogue/Product/Product/690333300003

 

[nigelmercier]

My boat had one of these from new, soon replaced by two batteries in the saloon by PO. Not sure if the same as the linked page, but I note the instructions: Installation: Must be mounted upside down to photo - terminals must point downwards.

 

[RichardS]

"Electricians cannot identify the fault"

Do these "electricians" have any understanding of electricity? :ambivalence:

Richard

 

[superboots]

Hello paul
The one in your link is not the same unit although the housing is the same. Mine has 2 rows of terminals, the lower row takes 2 full sized battery cables the top row has 5 terminals with 3 slim battery cables and other slim wires which go to a circuit board fixed to the side of the switch. This has 4 relays and fuse on a ceramic tube. So wonder where to find proper wiring diagram and test procedure

 

[rogerthebodger]

This is the Vetus series/parallel switch you have.

http://www.vetus-shop.com/vetus-series-parallel-switch-for-24-volt-thruster-with-12-vo-p-941.html

This is a manual for the unit

http://www.vetus.com/media/magentominds/sasdocument/20121112235524_0.pdf

 

[PaulRainbow]

Hello paul
The one in your link is not the same unit although the housing is the same. Mine has 2 rows of terminals, the lower row takes 2 full sized battery cables the top row has 5 terminals with 3 slim battery cables and other slim wires which go to a circuit board fixed to the side of the switch. This has 4 relays and fuse on a ceramic tube. So wonder where to find proper wiring diagram and test procedure

Try a Google search for the unit, but select images, you might see one like yours.

Basic test procedure must be the same. You have 12v to the unit, from both batteries ? The cables going to the thruster should get 24v when you hit the thruster joystick. I'd double check the 12v battery connections first. Then check for 24v coming away from the unit.

You can check thruster operation by bypassing the switch. Write down where all the wires are currently. The thruster needs to take it's positive from one battery and negative from the other one, with a cable connecting the remaining two battery terminals together.

 

[RichardS]

This is the Vetus series/parallel switch you have.

http://www.vetus-shop.com/vetus-series-parallel-switch-for-24-volt-thruster-with-12-vo-p-941.html

But the housing for that switch looks totally different to the housing of the switch posted by Paul in post #2.

Richard

 

[rogerthebodger]

But the housing for that switch looks totally different to the housing of the switch posted by Paul in post #2.

Richard

May so but this one is the one Vetus supply for use with their bow thrusters.

May be the OP should post a pic of his to help us identify which one he has.

 

[superboots]

Its not the vetus switch. Unit is 16 years old which is before this switch was made. I will try to add a photo