Stainless Steel Thruster Shearpins

[Wee Venture]

I just received an answer to my shearpin question from customer service at Imtra. I have seen controversy on other Tugnuts threads regarding brass vs stainless shearpins. The Side-Power website appears to list the replacement pin for the SE30 and SE40 thrusters as brass. The last time I ordered spare pins from Ranger parts (about a year ago), they supplied the brass, which is indeed the original pin and an acceptable replacement. However, some have observed the brass pins may wear or flake over time and fail prematurely (brass is soft) - though Imtra customer service made no comment about this.

Nevertheless, customer service at Imtra, the US distributor for Side-Power, told me that they now carry a stainless steel shearpin specifically made for the SE30 and SE40 thrusters. Here is the link:
https://www.imtra.com/3801e9da-13e6-40b ... detail.htm

I just had a pin fail for no apparent reason and intend to replace my pins now with this version.

On a related note, they said it is important to briefly pause in between switching direction of thrust.There is in fact a brief delay built into the system but this is more to protect the relay contacts from arcing.

John

 

[Red Raven]

Thanks John! I was planning to use stainless as well. Glad to hear it is now spec’d from Imtra.

Curt

 

[PanaSeaAh]

Received mine for parts stock this week from Imtra. They are sending the stainless ones in place of the brass.

 

[Wee Venture]

That is apparently true that Imtra is only supplying stainless steel shearpins now. Per their customer service email: “A little over a year ago, Sidepower did a running change from brass to stainless steel. The current shear pin part number is SM32050A.” Side-Power still lists and shows a picture of the brass shearpin on their website however, though they may not sell them directly. If you are getting pins from a third party seller, make sure the part number is preceded by “SM” which denotes the updated pin.