Bow Thruster issue

[SpottyDog5]

Looking for a bit of advice please,
I was out in my cabin rib today in quite lumpy conditions we took quite a bit of water over the roof, as we were punching through the swell, the bow thruster started up and started to run continuously, the only way I was able to stop it by hitting the isolating stop button.
After we docked I had a look, although the area was damp it wasn't swimming in water, I tried to reset the isolator and the thruster still runs continuously, so I shut it off again and decided to leave it to possibly dry out and fix itself, or am I wishful thinking?

 

[vas]

are you sure the problem doesn't come from the toggle on the dash?
or a short in the cable going from the dash to the bow thruster drenched in water and doing it's thing...
For sure if when dry it's OK, check the cabling.

V.

 

[SpottyDog5]

Thanks Vas, I was thinking along the same lines, The joystick didn't get wet. I wasn't in the best of moods to check it out today.

 

[Bajansailor]

Further to Vas's thoughts above (and following on from your other thread complaining about a lack of response here), what were the thoughts / opinions expressed to you on Facebook re this problem?

 

[SpottyDog5]

I have cut and pasted , some really useful advice, below.


Hi Roy, afraid I’ve been stalking you for some time !!!! So with side power. Behind the main left / right switch on the dashboard will be a connector to the main loom. Disconnect at this point and retry by pushing on main isolator. If thruster still runs fault is in relay box on thruster itself, if no action, fault is in control panel on dash. Next stage to follow

Part 2. If above test shows fault in relays on thruster main body. Remove black cover and and disconnect all 4 wires from relay contractor, they will be the small push on connectors on the relay itself make notes of order of connections. Try pushing in main isolator again, if still runs the relay is stuck in and needs replacing. If no action, wire loom to dash board switch has an issue. Try all the above and feel free to call if extra input needed. Rgds Rog.

 

[benjenbav]

I would check the whole circuit. The problem will be in the least accessible part... unless you check that first.

 

[Momac]

I did have a bow thruster start up all by itself after a sudden heavy rain shower . I since take care to have the thruster switched off until it might be needed , such as when entering or leaving the marina.
A friend had trouble with his thruster which eventually self started up. It was caused by a fault with the Albright high current solenoid. The contacts had become burned so he needed a new solenoid . In your case a lumpy sea could have cause the solenoid to make a circuit?

 

[SpottyDog5]

I too suspect a waterlogged relay or multi-connector, making a circuit on the low amp side.
I will be sure to post the outcome.
Many thanks to all that have contributed.

 

[SpottyDog5]

Update, it turned out to be a waterlogged multi connector close to the motor, not an area that would normally get wet, but in the conditions we were in, we did ship a bit of water. Connector has been fresh water flushed coated in WD40 and heat shrink covered. So hopefully it will now keep dry.