stern thruster troubleshooting help

[Cutwater28GG]

on a 2012 Cutwater 28.

When I turn on the breaker for the thruster. The stern thruster runs to port by itself.
if I use the joystick to go to starboard it stops but does not run to starboard. if I release the joystick the thruster runs to port continuously.

its not clear to me where the issue is. My areas for investigation are
is this a corroded control box on the thruster issue
is this a solenoid issue
is this a joystick issue
is this a wiring issue.

any tips on troubleshooting?

 

[Red Raven]

Hi Gavin,

Based on your description I would suspect the joystick module. The joystick applies the control signal to one direction or the other and then springs back to the middle with no pressure. It appears your joystick switch is not returning to the middle except when pushed to Starboard but then goes no further. Note that the stick itself may appear to move to the correct position but that does mean the internal switch is doing so.

I’m sure there could be other explanations but the joystick issue seems most likely to me.

Curt

 

[plewis]

You can remove the control cable to the thruster if it stops running it is likely the joy stick module or wiring. Better yet try Sidepower's Troubleshooting Guide for some guidance.

 

[knotflying]

Disconnect the joystick and see what happens. Your leads may be long enough to pull the control up and disconnect. There are four screws in each corner that are covered by a cap. Slide the cap off each corner and it exposes the screws. Once disconnected jump out the leads (per the troubleshooting directions) going to the thruster. If all works okay then unfortunately it is the control. Not an inexpensive item.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

good advice guys. I will start with troubleshooting the joystick.

 

[Red Raven]

Another thought. A quick test would be to swap the bow and stern thruster connectors at the joystick. Then you could see if the problem moves with the joystick control or not.

Good luck!

Curt

 

[plewis]

Keep it simple, no tools required and least invasive, reach down to the thruster and remove the control cable connecter with a twist of the outer ring. If your lucky and the thruster stops it is probably the joy stick, else it is time to yank the thruster and check the solenoid.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

so the plot thickens.

when I turn on the breaker, but the joystick control unit is still off. the thruster runs. when I turn on the control unit it exhibits the same behaviour. which is intermittent running, like something has a bad connection

I then look in the stern. and there is a clear drip thats running down from under the seat unit and dripping exactly on the socket for the control cable...

I couldnt reach and undo the socket and didnt want to when so wet. but my guess is water is gettting into the socket and caused corrosion. I will let it dry some more and then remove the seat so I can remove the pan underneath and get to it properly.

definitely need to find a way to stop the water. its unclear if its water leaking in via the blue cockpit light fixutre, somewhere around the seat of in fact if its running down the cup holder and into the space between the liner and hull. not a great design here.

 

[bill46]

Found water running down cupholder drains in my R31CB cockpit. Added plastic tubing to direct side ones to cockpit instead if behind to storage compartments where it will drain and aft seat ones forward to bilge. Took years to figure out how water gathered in stern and storage compartments.