Thruster failure

[hagrid]

After a great run out on Saturday, returning to chichester from a decent run about in the solent, I entered the lock and with the wind picking up at that time and being with two newish rag and sticks, I used my thruster as I would normally do to avoid putting my bow up their noses? ( well Im trynig to be polite.) It worked fine, and we all left the lock in an orderly fashion well as must as the raggies can do, after rushing to put their 3.45 of desiel in, so holding the fuel berth up for about half an hour..... but thats another story...

On returning to my berth with the wind now blowing me off my finger pontoon, and towards the bank I went to use the thruster and guess what? nothing not a thing? so I managed to get her onto the pontoon secure, remembering all the training the skipper gave me when taking the boat? ( DONT USE THAT BLOODY THING) so it must of worked? the question to the panel? is I am now just getting a click when depressing the thurster in either direction? what could the problem be? as I have the tinme I woudl like to try and rectify the problem myself. Being honest I dont know where to start except the thruster is a yellow thing? with some cables coming out? with teh click I thought it must be something small? as the sea was choppy on Saturday I wonder if a cable could of been knocked? or am I being niave?



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mrplastic]

The click sounds like the relay operating. This is energised by a low current supply via the switch itself. So my guess is that the high current supply to the thruster (via the relay) is missing. If your thruster is supplied via a seperate battery as is the norm, it's extremely likely that a cable may have become detached. I'd check that out first, secondly check out the main supply (high current) supply to the relay itself.

<hr width=100% size=1>EVERYTHING begins with an E

 

[Talbot]

Did you use the thruster for more than 3 minutes - in which case a thermal cut-out may have stopped you from using it again (all thrusters have a max use within one hour figure - vetus normally 4 mins, sidepower 3mins IIRC. Alternatively , the circuit breaker has lifted. This should be near the bow thruster. Recommend that you try the thruster again and if it works good. If not, find the circuit breaker and check that it is switched on. If it is then you are going to have to use a multimeter to see if you have power being supplied to the thruster. If you have and its not working you had better start praying to the bank manager!!!!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Questor]

Andy

As you know I've just spent the weekend, fixing mine, which sounded exactly like your problem. Mine was an intermittent problem to start with. The relay would always click, and sometimes the motor would run, but when you really needed it, it wouldn't. I (well jonnyflybridge, actually) cleaned the contacts on the relay, which worked initially, but then after a few weeks, it happened again. After a further cleaning, which initially seemed to work it happened again, so I ordered a new relay. It's not a very nice job to fit, but appears to have done the trick. Time, no doubt, will tell. I have brought the old unit home for further examination.

I would suggest that as you have the "click" you have power to the unit. You might check that the terminals to and from the relay to the thruster are all tight - These are the 4 x 13mm bolts on the relay and the 4 x 13mm bolts on the motor, assuming Fairline use the same unit in both yours and mine. Do turn the battery master switches off first!! Next suggestion would be to take the relay off and check the contacts for pitting, and clean them up regardless. Refit, and see if it will start. If not, check the (port on mine) voltmeter, as you try. If there's a drain, ie the motor is trying to run, I'd get a diver in and check you haven't filled the bowthruster tube up with mud, when you stuffed it into the embankment!! However my guess is it will run.

I have heard of many people recently, including Kim Hollamby, with similar problems, although when I collected the new relay from Keypart on Friday, the guy told me that that was the first one they had sold. Mine btw is a QL BP600.

Other than that give me a shout next weekend. I would guess the French trip will be off, as I think it's going to be too bleedin cold (for me that is!!)

R

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[kimhollamby]

QL600 update

It was the relay on the bow thruster on Calm Voyager. As per previous post I got it working again but had to clean the contacts back close to the bare copper, they were so badly pitted.

Because of shortage of time due to proximity of Southampton Boat Show I ordered a relay rather than trying to remake the damaged contacts or track down the bits (my inclination). In the end it arrived halfway through the show and, at this stage, remains unfitted (on the to-do list). The reason for the delay was that there were 13 units on back order, so perhaps not uncommon.

Interesting comment picked up at the show from another thruster manufacturer when discussing design of its units (Sleipner) was that it believed the relay should be completely protected, both to avoid spark ignition of any battery gas in the compartment and also to prevent a build up of salty condensation on the relay contacts which can accelerate wear.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Questor]

Re: QL600 update

Quite agree about the sparking issue. In my opinion, it should be totally isolated. I wondered whether on the new relay, if there may have been a further mods / supressors to stop any sparking, but would appear not.

I, too, suspect that this is not an uncommon problem.

R

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[burgundyben]

Re: QL600 update

I spose the current is to high to ditch the mechanical relay and put a solid state one in there? just did it with the flasher unit on my MG...so probly not relevant at all...

Definately should be well protected, praps smear silicon grease around the joints in the housing when fitting new one or repaired one? RS do a decent size tube of silicon grease for electrical terminals, I use it quite liberally on the boat electrical stuff, failing that vaseline works too.

<hr width=100% size=1>Sod the Healey - I think I'll buy an E-Type.