OK to leave bow thruster on?

[lproulx]

Does anyone know if the bow thruster draws any current in standby? My 21EC has a monster disconnect switch in a very difficult to access location. I rarely use the bow thruster (Get a lot of razzing for even having one on a 21 ft boat), but sometimes I need it, and sometimes in a hurry. Is there any reason not to leave the switch on? Will it run down the battery?

Thanks all

Larry

 

[TylerFromEverett]

I never turn my switch off. Never had any trouble leaving it on. It doesn’t seem to draw anything on standby. I keep the switch at the joystick off. Also, I love using my bow thruster. I also feel a little goofy using it but it’s fun to use and nice to have. Screw the haters. Haha!

 

[bob daily]

Larry, Yes the thruster power switch is a pain to get to so when I put my boat in the water it's turned on and only turned off when put back on the trailer. I usually spend two to three weeks fishing and have never had a problem with power drained from the batteries, I do fish 4 to 6 hrs a day so every thing is fully charged when I return to the dock, no shore power at dockside. I do run the refrigerator 24-7 and some times radio is left on. You should be fine! Bob

 

[BradOwens]

There have been cases where an electrical issue caused a runaway thruster. I always turn my thruster battery switch off when I'm not on the boat. Leaving it on while sleeping onboard however, seems safe to me, as I could turn it off quickly if needed.

 

[Fisho]

I have never turned mine off. Never a problem.

 

[bakerboat]

The issue I had on our 2014 R27 was the stern truster was not working. I traced this to the fact that Imtra did not use tinned wire on the control circuit wiring and it caused that circuit, due to the corrosion, to fail. So, it bears periodic inspection/maintenance of the connectors/wiring for corrosion. Not sure if this would cause a run-away but it would be worth looking at.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

corrosion in the control unit and cabling of thrusters likes to cause them to run on their own. Worst case you will have a flat battery and a boat tugging on its docklines. personally I turn them off but my breaker is in a easy to reach spot.

 

[yorangerjim]

Factory suggested to turn it off and the boat engine out board tilt off I have a R 27 O B I just do what they say it is a little pain the bow thruster however it lets me check other things out when I lift the door up.

Jim