Thruster Low Voltage warning

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markzorad

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Joined
May 6, 2021
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Fluid Motion Model
R-23 (Sterndrive)
Vessel Name
Greyhawk
New 2021 C30S
When I use the bow/stern thrusters I get the low voltage warning every time.
Is this common or???
 
The thrusters draw quite a bit of power. If your batteries are not up to snuff and connections not 100% and the rpm's low it can happen.
 
This is not normal but it can happen. When running the engine and alternator is charging the engine battery. The engine battery will be above 13V. When the engine battery reaches 13V about 90 seconds later the Auto charge relay closes and joins the house bank and thruster bank. All batteries are paralleled. The thrusters are large amp draw items when used. This will cause a quick voltage drop. The Garmin electronics is very sensitive to voltage drops. The low voltage warning will alarm because of the the quick voltage drop but will quickly go away when not using the thrusters. The actual voltage at the batteries can be at spec and this can still happen. I would still inspect the condition of the house and thruster bank batteries and connections to confirm this is not causing an increased voltage drop from high resistance or compromised batteries.
 
Thanks for the info.
I will check the connections.
The batteries are brand new.
It does happen when idling into the slip and using the thrusters. (tight quarters)
 
On our new r31 Tim changed a setting on the Garmin display for the voltage alarm and no problem since.
 
Mike did you notice what setting Tim changed on your Garmin?
The only one I see is for the low voltage warning which is set at 11.2v on mine.
Do not want to change that so was wondering if I am missing something?
 
I was also hoping that the factory would have chimed in by now....
This is the ask the factory forum....
 
Markzorad - when you say the batteries are brand new, what type and install date?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
The boat is only 2 months out of the factory.
We have put 130 hours on her.
Essentially brand new
 
Here is a test I would do. Before using the thrusters check battery voltages all will most likely be the same because the Charge relays are all closed so the battery banks are all parallel. With the engine running after 30 minutes or so you should be seeing 13.5 + voltage all banks. Now I would remove the small gauge yellow wire going to the house battery bank ACR. This will cause the ACR to open. Now go into the slip and use your thruster you should not see a low voltage warning on your Garmin. If you are not seeing low voltage on the Volvo EVC gauge I going to assume batteries are good and the warning is from the voltage drop sensitivity in the Garmin. If having the ACR open resolves the issue. There is an option to attach a power supply from the thrusters to the isolation terminal on the ACR. This will disable the ACR when the thrusters are activated.
 
Thanks Brian
I will try that when I get down there next.
Much appreciated
 
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