ThrustMe Kicker Electric Outboard Failure <12 Months Old!

[Helidan]

Purchased one of these little outboards last August and only used it a handful of times.

Decided to give it a quick test today in anticipation of starting boating again at the end of April. The display was showing battery level at 70% and the bluetooth remote control was successfully connected to the outboard but the thruster motor just refuses to turn (it can be easily rotated by hand).

Rather disappointing that it failed in less than 12 months and after little use. It wasn't exactly cheap @ £1360!!

I know SMG Distribution are the importers for ThrustMe in the UK so hoping for a decent after sales service.

 

[bignick]

Have you tried recharging it?

 

[FWB]

Just wondering if you need to go through the first use process since it has been stored for a while.
I have one of the very first Torqeedos and was thinking of getting one of these as well for quick trips to the beach.

 

[Helidan]

Have you tried recharging it?

Yes, didn't make any difference.

 

[Helidan]

Just wondering if you need to go through the first use process since it has been stored for a while.
I have one of the very first Torqeedos and was thinking of getting one of these as well for quick trips to the beach.

Nothing mentioned in the user manual.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Purchased one of these little outboards last August and only used it a handful of times.

Decided to give it a quick test today in anticipation of starting boating again at the end of April. The display was showing battery level at 70% and the bluetooth remote control was successfully connected to the outboard but the thruster motor just refuses to turn (it can be easily rotated by hand).

Rather disappointing that it failed in less than 12 months and after little use. It wasn't exactly cheap @ £1360!!

I know SMG Distribution are the importers for ThrustMe in the UK so hoping for a decent after sales service.

If it was working when you stored it, and, it has been stored in good dry conditions then the chances of anything electrical or mechanical being defective are small. It will probably be something simple. As mentioned previously, have you tried charging the battery, have you made sure all the connection are clean and good? Double check all the obvious things you can get at. Are there any safety devices such as overload cut outs or fuses that could have tripped / blown with an initial start surge after storage?
Try what FWB suggests, start from scratch.

 

[Helidan]

Had a response from the manufacturer. They suspect a water leak on the lower unit (where the motor controller is situated). Outboard is going to SMG for inspection.

 

[Helidan]

If it was working when you stored it, and, it has been stored in good dry conditions then the chances of anything electrical or mechanical being defective are small. It will probably be something simple. As mentioned previously, have you tried charging the battery, have you made sure all the connection are clean and good? Double check all the obvious things you can get at. Are there any safety devices such as overload cut outs or fuses that could have tripped / blown with an initial start surge after storage?
Try what FWB suggests, start from scratch.

I've done the lot, treated it as if it was brand new out of the box. Definitely internal malfunction.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

I've done the lot, treated it as if it was brand new out of the box. Definitely internal malfunction.

OK. At less than a year old must be in warranty, send it back!

 

[Helidan]

OK. At less than a year old must be in warranty, send it back!

Force 4 arranging collection for tomorrow.

 

[rodm]

If it was working when you stored it, and, it has been stored in good dry conditions then the chances of anything electrical or mechanical being defective are small. It will probably be something simple. As mentioned previously, have you tried charging the battery, have you made sure all the connection are clean and good? Double check all the obvious things you can get at. Are there any safety devices such as overload cut outs or fuses that could have tripped / blown with an initial start surge after storage?
Try what FWB suggests, start from scratch.

I bought my thrustme kicker and have only had it 3 monthes and now sending back for a refund...here are the problems i have had
1...It never charged to 100% from day one..the battery charger would turn green at 90% or so..
2.. the motor would just shut off...no weeds and not running hot..but started up no problem after shutting off
3...Would not read or run off my Dakota 12 volt battery
4...extension handle always locked up,couldnt get it to extend without fighting with it.
After paying $2,300 Canadian funds and another $160 for the cables I would expect a perfect running motor
I really think they released this to soon so im back to my dakota battery and my $150 30lb thrust minn kota with absolutly no problems..it a shame because its a great little motor when everything works

 

[rodm]

I bought my thrustme kicker and have only had it 3 monthes and now sending back for a refund...here are the problems i have had
1...It never charged to 100% from day one..the battery charger would turn green at 90% or so..
2.. the motor would just shut off...no weeds and not running hot..but started up no problem after shutting off
3...Would not read or run off my Dakota 12 volt battery
4...extension handle always locked up,couldnt get it to extend without fighting with it.
After paying $2,300 Canadian funds and another $160 for the cables I would expect a perfect running motor
I really think they released this to soon so im back to my dakota battery and my $150 30lb thrust minn kota with absolutly no problems..it a shame because its a great little motor when everything works

Sorry..this was meant for Hellidan

 

[Helidan]

Sorry..this was meant for Hellidan

Hi, just to update this thread my Kicker was repaired by SMG under warranty. It seemed to suffer some water ingress into the lower unit which damaged a control board. It's all good now.

Concerning your points above, if the charge light is green but the display is not 100% then that according to the manufacturer is likely to be the chip that reads battery level needs calibrating. You can do that by fully discharging and then fully recharging. I've never had the motor just shut off but I have briefly lost control of it due to user error not ensuring the bluetooth remote was charged! Your 12v battery might not be giving enough voltage for the Kicker to start. Never had any problem with the extension handle, I always rinse the Kicker with fresh water after every use.

I don't believe it was released too soon, I've spoken to the manufacturer a few times and they have ironed out the few wrinkles that some early production units suffered with and I believe the Kicker is a great product providing it is used within its limitations.

 

[rodm]

Hi, just to update this thread my Kicker was repaired by SMG under warranty. It seemed to suffer some water ingress into the lower unit which damaged a control board. It's all good now.

Concerning your points above, if the charge light is green but the display is not 100% then that according to the manufacturer is likely to be the chip that reads battery level needs calibrating. You can do that by fully discharging and then fully recharging. I've never had the motor just shut off but I have briefly lost control of it due to user error not ensuring the bluetooth remote was charged! Your 12v battery might not be giving enough voltage for the Kicker to start. Never had any problem with the extension handle, I always rinse the Kicker with fresh water after every use.

I don't believe it was released too soon, I've spoken to the manufacturer a few times and they have ironed out the few wrinkles that some early production units suffered with and I believe the Kicker is a great product providing it is used within its limitations.

Im really happy for you..I cant even get a reply back frim them..and yes my 12 volt battery was at full charge at 14.4 volts but still didnt read it..im glad it all worked out for you..its a great motor when you have one that works..cheers

 

[laika]

Am I the only one wondering how they got the original company name past the censors at companies house?

 

[Plum]

Am I the only one wondering how they got the original company name past the censors at companies house?

I was not wondering. Why do you think they should have rejected it? As you know, they have now changed the company name but is still a registered trademark in the UK, owned by THRUSTME AS in Norway.

 

[Helidan]

Am I the only one wondering how they got the original company name past the censors at companies house?

I must admit I do get the odd raised eyebrow and slight smile when I mention the name of the manufacturer!!

 

[rodm]

Well I got a refund for my thrustme kicker and couldn't be happier..I still have my dakota 60ah battery and my minn kota 30 C2 motor and it works flawlessly and a total of $1,000...Should of just been happy of what I already had with absolutely no problems..I'm a happy camper.

 

[Helidan]

Oh dear, it seems I have more problems with the Kicker.

Gave it a brief test in the shed last night ready for boating today only to find that the propeller was severely binding!! I have had a conversation with ThrustMe via Facebook this morning and they are once again advising replacement of the complete lower unit.

I really don't want to get a full refund for the outboard due to the many features that first attracted me to it but we need something with a degree of reliability and durability. I think I may well end up paying a bit more and trying epropulsion Spirit.

 

[jlavery]

Oh dear, it seems I have more problems with the Kicker.

Gave it a brief test in the shed last night ready for boating today only to find that the propeller was severely binding!! I have had a conversation with ThrustMe via Facebook this morning and they are once again advising replacement of the complete lower unit.

I really don't want to get a full refund for the outboard due to the many features that first attracted me to it but we need something with a degree of reliability and durability. I think I may well end up paying a bit more and trying epropulsion Spirit.

I've had a (second hand) Spirit for 2 seasons now and am delighted with it. Yes, pretty expensive if bought new, but has improved our cruising and dinghy experience.