Bow Thruster stuck on

[trawlerdeejay]

I have a 2012 Ranger 27 (The Beach House) When using the bow thruster the other day, it remained "on" even though the joystick was in the neutral position. Jiggling the control would not turn it off: the off button would not turn it off. finally, used Thruster switch on the battery bank to turn unit off. Waited a day- and turned baatery switch back on- thruster began to run again. Turned battery switch off.

In order to ascertain if the toggle switch at the helm was bad, removed toggle switch and switched wire connectors with the stern thruster - and turned on battery switch. Bow thruster came on immediately and "off" button had no effect.

I believe that the solenoid is bad. Tried to look at, and possibly tap the solenoid, but it is buried under the A/C unit and difficult to get at.

Your thoughts?

trawlerdeejay

 

[Kenny Marrs]

Hello Trawlerdeejay,

There is the same style connection at the bow thruster that you removed from the joysticks at the helm. I would disconnect that plug at the bow thruster and then turn on the thruster battery switch again. This will eliminate the joysticks completely and should isolate the issue for us.

Let me know what you find.

Thanks,
-Kenny

 

[Dale777]

trawlerdeejay,

See my post from Mar 25, 2012 in the link below on how to replace the shear pin on the R27 bow thruster, not that you need to replace the shear pin. However, this post shows you, with pictures, how to access the bow thruster. Once you access the bow thruster, then you can follow Kenny's advice.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2013

 

[trawlerdeejay]

Kenny,

Was finally able to get on the boat today to disconnect the bow thruster. I'm not sure if I did what you wanted, but I hope so.

I found a white disconnect connector that is connected to a black box that pulled right out of the thruster. This is marked "Electronic interface for thruster motor controls" part 6 1232i It has 3 rows of pins- 3 pins to a row. Disconnected this from the white connector, turned on the thruster battery switch- and nothing happened. I have this module now in my hands.

Is this module the problem?

 

[John Shea Jr.]

I had the "staying on" problem with my stern thruster. Chased the electrical connections back to the last connection before the wires entered the thruster motor housing. All continuity was good. Problem is in the motor itself. Tried to use the thruster after and it ran wild again while I was attempting to dock. By the time I got to the main shutoff for the thrusters there was smoke pouring out of the battery and generator compartments! I contacted the local Sidepower repair service and was told " call back in a month to set up an appointment" I removed the buss for the rear thruster and am operating with just the bow unit.

 

[Kenny Marrs]

Yes, I believe that is your issue. Try plugging the connector back in and see if the motor turns on by itself.

I have see moisture get into the connection before causing this same issue. This is more common in the stern though.

 

[trawlerdeejay]

Kenny,

Reconnected the control module as you suggested and turned on battery. Bow thruster came on immediately.

Spent about 1/2 hour on the internet trying to find this control module - no luck. There are almost no listings for the entire bow thruster- except for new ones and for accessories (like the joysticks). Did find 1 listing for the part number of the Control Module - but it was only 2 lines and was in Norwegian.

Thoughts?

Ward B.

 

[trawlerdeejay]

Kenny,

Finally, found the module at IMTRA corp. in Mass.

Part is $135.00 plus S&H. I see they have tech support number. Gonna call them in the morning to see what they say.
I'll let you know.

Ward B.

 

[trawlerdeejay]

Kenny,

Out of frustration with a lot of different advise about how to stop this bow thruster, I finally called the U.S. head office for this foreign made Side-Power thruster in Mass. and ended up talking to their Service Manager Mark Reider. Mark was very knowledgeable, easy to talk with and knew his stuff. After having me try a variety of things, he believed the problem was with the remote control receiver (a small black box behind the helm station that receives the signals from the handheld remote).

To ensure that this was the problem and to help me, he asked their mid-Atlantic sales rep. (Ralph Steele) to come to the boat and ensure that the problem was fixed. Ralph showed up this past SATURDAY (can you believe that) and after a diagnosis, agreed that the remote control base unit was indeed the problem. I told Ralph that I have never used the remote and he asked if I wanted to bypass it altogether. That's what we did and the thrusters worked just fine! For a sales rep., he KNEW his product!!!

Both of these guys were outstanding!!! For any of you having thruster problems, the importer for Side-Power thrusters is the IMTRA Corporation in New Bedford, Mass.


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