Vetus bowthruster

lumphammer

lumphammer

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Just taken over our new boat and among many things needing attention is the bowthruster that won't switch on. It makes a series of beeping sounds then switches off.

I suspect the dedicated battery is shot, as it has been sitting unused for the last two years, and 12 hours charge only brought the volatge up to 12.2v.

The bow thruster was fitted in 2006 and has had practically no use.

The Vetus brochure makes no mention of any alarm sounds, can anyone confirm my diagnosis, or any other reason.

TIA
 
[ QUOTE ]
I suspect the dedicated battery is shot, as it has been sitting unused for the last two years, and 12 hours charge only brought the volatge up to 12.2v.

[/ QUOTE ] It's had it! You could try a decent battery, your starter battery maybe.

You mention the Vetus brochure but what about the manual, downloadable from the "manuals" tab on the Vetus website. Unfortunately big files in umpteen languages!
 
If you take off the cover from the motor its worth first checking that the brushes are free in the holders, after 2 years they might just need a rattle to make contact.
Measure the voltage at the battery and the motor terminals as you operate the switches, the relay connector plug is also prone to bad connections
 
I assume that you operate the bow-thruster from a Vetus control box/panel and that the "beeps" are coming from there. This is quite normal and requires you to press the on/off button a second time to confirm that you really mean to switch it on. Of course, if you don't respond, the unit will stay off.

These instructions, which you probably don't have, do not come with the actual bow-thruster but with the switch unit itself.

Good Luck, Colin. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
When you get it working you might be interested to know that Vetus brought out a 6-bladed prop recently: quieter and vastly improved performance.
 
Thanks for the answers so far, I will be on the boat this afternoon so I will have a play. I must admit I never thought of pressing the on button a second time, usually when things start beeping at me I stand well back to see what will happen next.

Shame about the battery as it was new in 2006 and unused since then, I don;t suppose there is any chance of recovering it?

Is the 6 bladed prop retro fittable to existing bow thrusters?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Is the 6 bladed prop retro fittable to existing bow thrusters?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, from French Marine in Brightlingsea BUT it took two attempts to get the correct type.
 
Thanks for all the replies, the answer was as suggested, press the On button again while the panel is beeping.

Now I have a new toy to play with /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Try below for the 6 bladed prop. Don't forget the model number etc. They supplied mine a year ago through the post.

Vitesse Marine Ltd
E4 Fort Wallington, Fareham
PO16 8TT Hampshire
Tel.: +44 1329 232360
Fax: +44 1329 826718
 
Warning!! If your controller is the same as mine it turns itself off after a period of time, about 15 mins. Not sure of the logic though. Listen for the beebs which indicate it's happened and select it on again. It could be embarassing at a critical moment.

Regards.
 
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