Sy-Revolution
Well-Known Member
.......Exchange it for a simple on-off-on momentary switch?
I've noticed recently that the sticker (that shows the port stbd arrows) was peeling a little. So I started peeling it back some more. Well, it came off completely. I was shocked to find that the sticker is the only thing making the unit waterproof! If it's stuck, that is.
I also noticed that where the buttons are depressed there were tiny star cracks going right through. Seems the things been leaking for some time (it's only 3 years old and I must confess I don't use the thrusters often). To cut a long story short the things knackered.
So I thought, lets replace a piece of expencive c**p with something cheaper and simpler like this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110369170578&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
At 25 amps I thought this'd be ok, untill........ I pulled the Vetus thing apart and found all this electickery inside! There's 3 chips, and a load of transistors/resistors and stuff. Now is that all nessesary for the function of the thing or is it just stuff to light the LED?
I'd wondered if it was some kind of soft start system but I doubt it as this circuit operates two solenoids on the thuster motor which are presumibly either on or off. Perhaps it's because the switches themselves are so puny that they need some kind of relay to up the power? Or is there something more sinister at work here?
I've contacted the relevent wires manually and the thruster seems to work ok in both directions.
So can I go the simple route or am I looking at waving goodbye to another load of money down at the local swindlery?
Help!
Cx
P.S. So far this item is No. 3 in my recent list of marine equipment that's not fit for purpose............
I've noticed recently that the sticker (that shows the port stbd arrows) was peeling a little. So I started peeling it back some more. Well, it came off completely. I was shocked to find that the sticker is the only thing making the unit waterproof! If it's stuck, that is.
I also noticed that where the buttons are depressed there were tiny star cracks going right through. Seems the things been leaking for some time (it's only 3 years old and I must confess I don't use the thrusters often). To cut a long story short the things knackered.
So I thought, lets replace a piece of expencive c**p with something cheaper and simpler like this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110369170578&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
At 25 amps I thought this'd be ok, untill........ I pulled the Vetus thing apart and found all this electickery inside! There's 3 chips, and a load of transistors/resistors and stuff. Now is that all nessesary for the function of the thing or is it just stuff to light the LED?
I'd wondered if it was some kind of soft start system but I doubt it as this circuit operates two solenoids on the thuster motor which are presumibly either on or off. Perhaps it's because the switches themselves are so puny that they need some kind of relay to up the power? Or is there something more sinister at work here?
I've contacted the relevent wires manually and the thruster seems to work ok in both directions.
So can I go the simple route or am I looking at waving goodbye to another load of money down at the local swindlery?
Help!
Cx
P.S. So far this item is No. 3 in my recent list of marine equipment that's not fit for purpose............
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