Vetus Bow Prop BOW13024: Oil and Battery

nigelmercier

nigelmercier

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My Vetus Bow Prop BOW13024 User Manual says: "Change the oil; this must be done at least every two to four years. 250 ml oil, article code: BPEP90S..." (never been done!)
Later in the manual it says:
Bevel gear 1.916 : 1, Oilbath, approx. 0.5 litre outboard gear oil EP 90

The only reference I can find to this oil is BPEP90S

Ignoring the discrepancy over the quantity, what should I look for on the oil can?


I also plan to change the 15 year old batteries. The existing are too small (2 x 55AH Starter/Deep Cycle in series). The manual says the battery should be 100AH-300AH, but doesn't specify Deep Cycle, and I don't think this is necessary.

Comments?
 
I'd look for "EP90" oil, it's readily available.

As for the batteries, you don't need deep cycle, just ordinary starter-type batteries.
 
nigelmercier said:
My Vetus Bow Prop BOW13024 User Manual says: "Change the oil; this must be done at least every two to four years. 250 ml oil, article code: BPEP90S..." (never been done!)
Later in the manual it says:
Bevel gear 1.916 : 1, Oilbath, approx. 0.5 litre outboard gear oil EP 90

The only reference I can find to this oil is BPEP90S

Ignoring the discrepancy over the quantity, what should I look for on the oil can?


I also plan to change the 15 year old batteries. The existing are too small (2 x 55AH Starter/Deep Cycle in series). The manual says the battery should be 100AH-300AH, but doesn't specify Deep Cycle, and I don't think this is necessary.

Comments?
Click to expand...

Use an outboard engine gear oil. No need to us the high performance stuff for big outboards. the bog standard stuff will be Ok. Its usually a multigrade these days. 80W/90 or thereabouts

Quicksilver Premium Gear Lube pretty widely available. Eg http://www.force4.co.uk/department/...quicksilver-gear-lube-946ml.html#.Vjn3OLfhCHs

s976161366974679910_p33_i4_w500.jpeg


Engine start battery I would think the most suitable.
 
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VicS said:
Use an outboard engine gear oil. No need to us the high performance stuff for big outboards. the bog standard stuff will be Ok. Its usually a multigrade these days. 80W/90 or thereabouts

Quicksilver Premium Gear Lube pretty widely available. Eg http://www.force4.co.uk/department/...quicksilver-gear-lube-946ml.html#.Vjn3OLfhCHs

s976161366974679910_p33_i4_w500.jpeg


Engine start battery I would think the most suitable.
Click to expand...

I don't think that's EP / Hypoid though? If the manufacturer specifies EP then I would use the higher friction-proof EP API GL-5 rather than GL-4. You can then use the EP version in all your gear applications which require a 75/80/90 gear oil as it's safe to over-spec but not advisable to go the other way.

Richard
 
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MartynG said:
I agree, as said and as you suspect, the battery for a bow thruster should be a starter type of battery - look for a high CCA rating (cold cranking amps).

Is the following the right sort of oil?
http://www.asap-supplies.com/marine/vetus-bow-thruster-oil


.
Click to expand...

The Vetus oil is API GL-5 which is the EP/Hypoid specification although it does not make this clear on the bottle. It would meet the Nigel's Vetus recommendation.

Richard
 
VicS said:
Are they hypoid gears or just ordinary bevel gears ?
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No idea. The motor is 90 degrees to the drive though, so there must be at least one bevel gear.
I don't have much choice as I'm on my boat. Does it need to be for outboards (and pay the marine premium), or will any EP90 be OK?

What is a good CCA figure for a 100AH battery?
 
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nigelmercier said:
No idea. The motor is 90 degrees to the drive though, so there must be at least one bevel gear.

I don't have much choice as I'm on my boat. Does it need to be for outboards (and pay the marine premium), or will any EP90 be OK?
Click to expand...

The question was aimed at Jumblie Duck as he was adamant about using an EP oil but I'd think just a pair of bevel gears like those in the bottom gearbox of a saildrive or an outboard engine gearbox. There's no reason for them to be hypoid gears.

Therefore no reason for an EP oil but I believe outboard gear oils are EP oils to GL5 spec even though not stated. Their strong unpleasant smell is due to the EP additives.

The reasons to use an outboard gear oil is because they also contain corrosion inhibitors and emulsifiers to guard against the effects of water ingress.

If you use an ordinary automotive gear oil check for water ingress regularly and/or change regularly.
 
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VicS said:
The question was aimed at Jumblie Duck as he was adamant about using an EP oil but I'd think just a pair of bevel gears like those in the bottom gearbox of a saildrive or an outboard engine gearbox. There's no reason for them to be hypoid gears.

Therefore no reason for an EP oil but I believe outboard gear oils are EP oils to GL5 spec even though not stated. Their strong unpleasant smell is due to the EP additives.

The reasons to use an outboard gear oil is because they also contain corrosion inhibitors and emulsifiers to guard against the effects of water ingress.

If you use an ordinary automotive gear oil check for water ingress regularly and/or change regularly.
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If the oil recommended by Vetus is EP/Hypoid, which it is, I'm not sure why one would want to know whether the gearing is actually hypoid or not. The price of GL-5 is pretty much the same as GL-4 so why would you use the lower spec?

The Vetus oil mentioned above is GL-5 whereas I believe the Quicksilver oil is GL-4. The Quicksilver GL-5 oil is called High Performance Gear Oil or something like that rather than Premium Gear Oil.

Having said all that, I use ordinary auto GL-5 as there is no specification for "marine" gear oil and as the Vetus and Quicksilver oils are manufactured the same big oil companies who are tied to the auto and industrial market I suspect the "marine" version will be exactly the same.

Richard
 
VicS said:
The question was aimed at Jumblie Duck as he was adamant about using an EP oil but I'd think just a pair of bevel gears like those in the bottom gearbox of a saildrive or an outboard engine gearbox. There's no reason for them to be hypoid gears.
Click to expand...

I would trust the manufacturers. It's not as if EP costs much more - I've just bought loads of EP80-90 .
 
RichardS said:
If the oil recommended by Vetus is EP/Hypoid, which it is, I'm not sure why one would want to know whether the gearing is actually hypoid or not. The price of GL-5 is pretty much the same as GL-4 so why would you use the lower spec?
Click to expand...

While I remember, in many old car applications you have to use GL-4 rather than GL-5, because the GL-5 additives can do horrible things to brass and copper components like synchromesh rings and thrust washers. I've just been refilling my Herald's gearbox and diff, and that needs GL-4.
 
nigelmercier said:
Batteries replaced.

Is this the right oil http://r.ebay.com/qpfkSL
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Its an EP 80W 90 GL5 gear oil but its not an outboard oil which you asked for.

My understanding is that of the effects of EP additives on "yellow metals" is only of concern at elevated temps ( eg car gearboxes and back axles). A bow thruster is water cooled!


How about this from ASAP supplies http://www.asap-supplies.com/marine/vetus-bow-thruster-oil/vetus-special-gearbox-oil-vbt05

V-VBT05.jpg


Vetus VBT05 special gearbox oil is designed for use in bow thruster drive legs, anchor windlass gearboxes and outboard motor drive legs. The oil contains special additives to protect against wear and tear as well as metal to metal contact which can happen under extreme load.

Vetus VBT05 oil is supplied in a 500ml bottle. It has excellent anti-corrosion properties and resistance to ageing. The gearbox oil can be mixed with other oils, such as API GL4 and GL5. The gearbox oil exeeds the requirements of API GL-5 and SAE 80W-90 standards.​
 
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