Bow Thruster Running Uncommanded

[CaspersCruiser]

A couple days ago, I was going out for a short cruise on my 2012 R27. When I turned the thruster battery switch ON, the bow thruster started running uncommanded. I made an archive search, but the posts it turned up related to the stern thruster. I’d like some troubleshooting ideas and guidance to solve this issue.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

First thing I'd do is eliminate the remote, if you have one. Make sure the transmitter switch is off or take out the remote batteries.

 

[knotflying]

When you switched it back on did it continue to run again? If so I would turn it off again and then disconnect the controller and then turn on the switch and see if it starts up. If it does not engage after you disconnect the controller, keep the power on and reconnect the controller and see if it starts. If so, reach in your pocket and pull out about $300.00 and get a new controller. It can also be a stuck solenoid. Before buying anything though after you check things out call Side Power. Their tech support is very helpful. The troubleshooting for the rear thruster is a bit different than the bow. You will have to remove it and open the case to troubleshoot. Explain to them that you have a Ranger Tug otherwise hey will not allow you to service it because of the "explosion proof" case. For us the case is there to protect it from water infiltration, not gas fumes. I recommend taking it out and hooking it up with booster cables to your car battery to do any troubleshooting required once you eliminate the controller. Removal and re-installation of the stern thruster is probably the most dreaded job on the tug. You may be joining the club of been there, done that. I suggest a few yoga classes prior to starting. Downward dog will be most useful :lol:

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I had the same thing with me stern thruster.

I replaced the control cable and the solenoid. all issues resolved.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

Copy all. When the bow thruster first ran uncommanded, my initial troubleshooting step was to remove batteries from the remote. No joy there. Last night with the bow thruster fuse removed, I turned the thruster battery switch ON and went to the controller at the helm to see if I could get the stern thruster to operate. No joy there either. The controller would not function. Pushing the two “ON” switches produced nothing. To make the controller function may require both thruster fuses to be in place. Does anybody know the answer to that question?

I will call Side Power technical support.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

Update: I read through the Side Power troubleshooting document from their website. It says the thruster controller at the helm is powered through the bow thruster. So with the bow thruster fuse removed, there will be no thrusters, period. The helm controller is dead.

The Side Power troubleshooting document addresses only situations where the thruster is not operating. My problem is the exact opposite-- the bow thruster is running uncommanded when the thruster battery switch is selected ON. I looked on the website, but I wasn't able to readily find a phone number for Side Power tech support. Does anybody have a number for them?

As a first step in dealing with this issue, I have removed both thruster fuse holders and brought them home to clean them up. They were badly corroded. I feel quite certain this has nothing to do with my problem, but I want to assure good clean power is available to the thruster components.

When I reassemble them, I am considering using dielectric grease on the components to mitigate future corrosion. Are there any problems using dielectric grease on these high current connections?

 

[Wolfboy]

The number for their US contact is (508)995-7000. I called them about my run away stern thruster this morning. I have a new solenoid and control relay on it's way.