Stern Thruster Spinning

[ECR]

Hello -

We have a 2016 RC25 SC.

There have been no issues w/the thruster and last night the stern thruster just started spinning with no power. I have read about the “shear pin” - not sure if that’s the issue.

Where would I find the motor for the stern thruster to pull it our and examine it? And, if it’s not the shear pin - any recommendations/ideas?

Thank you!

 

[Red Raven]

Here is a link to the best post on this subject I have found.

https://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2013&p=37944&hilit=shear+pin#p14388

I have done this process several times. I would emphasize the following:
- it is critical to use the small ratchet wrench that should have come with your boat, likely in the side pocket of one of the black bags with the manuals. If you don’t have one you can buy one from Chapman tools. In a pinch you can grind down a regular Allen wrench to fit. Can’t remember the Allen key size. I would recommend you have both because the Chapman tool can get easily jammed if you back out a cap screw on one side too far before moving to the other side.
- Jam a towel or other item under the thruster motor before removing the motor to hold it at the correct height. Leave the towel undisturbed until the motor has been reinstalled.
- disconnect the battery cables and remove the motor all the way out to work on it on a bench. It is possible to just flip the motor while connected but it’s way easier to get the old shear pin out and new put in correctly on the bench.
- you will need snap ring pliers with tips fit the holes in the snap ring that holds the shear pin in place. The angled tips work best. Be careful not to lose the snap ring and note the correct position before removing.
- you will need a small hammer and punch (a nail or equivalent will work in a pinch) to get the old shear pin out. A small vacuum is also helpful to suck out the lose bits.
- use a stainless steel shear pin as the replacement. The brass pins wear out over time too quickly. Sidepower sells the stainless pins as replacements now.

I hope this helps!

Curt

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Ive had this issue with the stern thruster. the cause was water dripping through the cup holders on the stern onto the stern thruster and its control cable. If I recall I replaced the cable and the control unit on the thruster. I outsourced the job to La Conner maritime as I didn't want to crawl down there.

It wasn't clear to me if I could have just replaced the cable.

 

[Red Raven]

When you say “no power” do you mean “no thrust” or the “Thruster battery or breaker is turned off and you did not activate the thruster control?”

Curt

 

[Cutwater28GG]

in my case you turn on the breaker for the thruster and it starts to spin on its own. you don't provide any input from the controller. essentially there is a short either in the cable or the control unit.

is this whats happening in your case ECR?

 

[Cutwater28GG]

found my old thread

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=12337&hilit=thruster

 

[ECR]

Hi @Cutwater28GG

Appreciate the response.

My issue is different. There is power going to thruster - no issues there.

However, the motor just spins and doesn’t push any water.

All the reading I’ve done indicates the shear pin broke or the motor possibly went bad.

If the motor went, that’s disappointing as the boat only has 270 hours on it.

Thanks!

 

[Cutwater28GG]

ah no worries

sounds like shear pin to me.

 

[Red Raven]

Yes, shear pin. See my post previous.

Curt