Bow thruster issue - any advice before I have to jump in the water?

[Markhammond]

Over the last month or so the bow thruster I have fitted to my Sealine S29 has stopped working. Now that hasn't been such a bad thing as I have had to rely more on the engines to navigate around the marina and those pesky locks on the Thames - so it has been good practice, but I can't leave something that is broke without trying to fix it.

I've checked fuses (one had blown) so I now have power to the controls. The battery itself was only replaced at the start of last season so should still have a fair bit of life in it. It did't stopping work all at once, it became a bit temperamental and then only worked in one direction before not working at all and only making a clicking sound.

I suspect that bow thruster propellor is jammed or has something tangled in it, but before I take the plunge (quite literally) I thought I seek some advice.

Anyone had a similar issues? It is a Max Power Mini Max series 35 composite thruster.

Thanks in advance.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Advice? ... pay someone else to get in the water and check it out!

 

[kanajobe48]

We had problem with our now thruster on our sealine s38
Found to be resistor on the pcb on the bow thruster - workered perfect and feet stayed dry

 

[JT57]

Had a similar problem on my SC29 last year. Turned out to be the battery, which was only 12 months old, but just out of guarantee of course! I would get the battery checked as a first course of action.
Also had a small electrical fault earlier this season which meant bow thruster battery wasn't getting full charge from the alternator and resulted in symptoms similar to those you describe. The fault was nothing to do with the bow thruster set up and bow thruster has operated fine since that electrical problem was fixed. Not suggesting you have an electrical fault anywhere, just emphasising the faults I have experienced have been battery related ie lack of charge.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Yes, don't assume the battery is fine just because it's almost new. Check that first., I'd be very surprised if it's the thruster props being blocked.

 

[kashurst]

if it became progressively faulty it's probably an electrical fault. Max Power use overly complicated electronic modules that can get damp inside and play up. (I have two of the things). You can test the thruster by operating the solenoids mounted on the side of the main motor. There are two connections to each operating solenoid. If you take off the existing connections and connect (momentarily) 12v across one of the solenoids the thruster will run. Replace the original connections and do the same with the other solenoid and the motor will run in the opposite direction. If the thruster runs in either direction the fault is either in the harness (damaged or corroded) or inside either the control switch module (which get water inside them) or the main motor module. If the thruster runs but weakly it may well be the battery, as the electronics maxpower use are sensitive to battery condition. (i.e. a bit carp).