Sidepower bow thruster control

[jakew009]

I want to replace the original Sidepower joystick with a Carling rocker switch because the joy stick is ugly and massive.

I’ve wired up an elaborate circuit with relays that makes it time out after 10 minutes and introduces a delay before switching port / starboard.

However, I’m now wondering if the port / starboard delay circuit was a waste of time because the switching delay is built into the thruster control unit itself (rather than being built into the joystick as I assumed).

Anyone know?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

The joystick is just a switch. And, by the way, I totally disagree with your opinion on the joystick appearance, but that’s me?!

 

[PaulRainbow]

If you don't like the joystick there are other options.

Google-Ergebnis für https://eshopmarine.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/8965-4.jpg

 

[jakew009]

To answer my own question the left / right delay is done in the main control unit not the remote.

The remote just has a pretty dumb circuit to do the auto switch off.

 

[jakew009]

If you don't like the joystick there are other options.

Google-Ergebnis für https://eshopmarine.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/8965-4.jpg

I considered that but it was spendy and still didn’t really fit with the minimalist dash I was going for.

Done it with a momentary activate button, a windscreen heater timer relay and a rocker switch instead.

 

[Tranona]

You could do away with a fixed control completely and just use a wireless remote (which also does the windlass) osmotech.co.uk/sleipner-store/p/radio-rem-kit-b-w-eu A bit pricy but I have had 2 of them and they work well. On my current boat which is tiller steered there is nowhere convenient to fit a joystick or fixed buttons so just use the remote.

 

[stuartwineberg]

You could do away with a fixed control completely and just use a wireless remote (which also does the windlass) osmotech.co.uk/sleipner-store/p/radio-rem-kit-b-w-eu A bit pricy but I have had 2 of them and they work well. On my current boat which is tiller steered there is nowhere convenient to fit a joystick or fixed buttons so just use the remote.

I’ve got one of these and the remote handset went bad. They apparently don’t sell replacements so a full new unit is needed.

 

[jakew009]

You could do away with a fixed control completely and just use a wireless remote (which also does the windlass) osmotech.co.uk/sleipner-store/p/radio-rem-kit-b-w-eu A bit pricy but I have had 2 of them and they work well. On my current boat which is tiller steered there is nowhere convenient to fit a joystick or fixed buttons so just use the remote.

I’ve done that as well, but using a Chinese crane controller from Aliexpress for £60.



Seems to work perfectly. I mainly wanted it for the windlass, the thruster is a bonus.

To activate it you have to reset the red emergency stop and then press the green button.

 

[Elessar]

I want to replace the original Sidepower joystick with a Carling rocker switch because the joy stick is ugly and massive.

I’ve wired up an elaborate circuit with relays that makes it time out after 10 minutes and introduces a delay before switching port / starboard.

However, I’m now wondering if the port / starboard delay circuit was a waste of time because the switching delay is built into the thruster control unit itself (rather than being built into the joystick as I assumed).

Anyone know?

Why do you want it to time out? Stupid bit of design that I’d prefer to disable.