Where would I find the Rear Thruster solenoid?

[River Bank]

Hello

2010 R25
Coming into port last Monday, while using the front and rear thrusters I was surprised to find the rear thruster began running slower and slower, while the front behaved normally.

It was suggested by a fellow boater that as the battery appears to be fully charged it could be a defective solenoid. I've checked my manual, but I cannot find the location of that component.

Also, the rear thruster still grunts and groans but very quietly when activated, but far from normal.

Any suggestions or directions to that controlling solenoid.

Bob

 

[Levitation]

I am not aware that the thrusters have a solenoid or relay between the switch at the helm and the thruster itself.
I suspect you will need to pull the thruster. My condolences as it is a pain to get at.
Have you pulled the prop off the thruster and looked for mechanical binding or fishing line wound on it? Running the motor (briefly) with the prop off might be enlightening.
I recommend you call the manufacturer. There is a manual with their phone number in your ship's library.
Let us know how it works out.

 

[pugtug613]

Solenoids are switches. They either work or they don't. I agree, call the mfg. and ask people who know. Sometimes, well meaning advise from people at the dock is not correct. Let us know when you resolve this. I notice a change in speed when I use the thrusters, especially the stern thruster. So far, I just let go the joy stick and it seems to fix itself. I assume that this is due to schmutz?? Maybe eel grass or debris?

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Another thing to check for are barnacles that may be attached to the thruster housing, thereby preventing the prop from turning as freely as possible. We've had this problem before where it has caused the thruster to groan, be slow, etc. Worth a look. Also if you have generator fire it up the next time you are on the water and activate the truster to see if it performs normally, if so you may have a weak battery and if it is still groaning then you at least know the problem is elsewhere.

Jim F

 

[River Bank]

Thank you for your advice and suggestions, much appreciated.

I had a diver come in yesterday to change the thruster zincs and clear any debris around the thrusters.
It was not fouled. the bow thruster works perfectly, but the rear thruster just groans and seems like it is barely turning over. As the bow is working normally and as both are drawing from the same battery the problem is likely not the power source.

So, I have to find a very skinny technician to squeeze into that small access hole under the fish tank.

The diver spun the stern thruster and he said it turned freely, so I am reluctant to bring him back to remove the prop.
I think I might have to replace the motor.

I will contact the Side-Power people first however.

Thanks for all your help.

Bob

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

It could be a broker shear pin.

 

[Gin]

Side-Power makes a very good trouble shooting guide for their thrusters. Someone else on the forum last year or so brought it up. I have a copy -- can't remember if I got it through the forum or from Side-Power's website with it. Happy to email it to you if you PM me your personal email. But if you are calling them for support anyway, you may not need it. As I recall, others have said they have gotten excellent support from the manufacturer. Good luck!

Gini

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

The aft thruster on the R-29 models is in a sealed unit. Lots of screws to remove so that would be the last thing I would do. The thruster has a heavy duty reversing relay right at the unit. It is controlled by a signal from the joy stick which has a small circuit board for communication with the forward and aft thruster interface modules. The relays would chatter if they were the problem. I would carefully check the power cables going to the thruster. Side Power saved me a lot of time and money by getting me to check the cables. Turns out one was corroded and after cleaning and tightening every thing has worked fine since. Also on single thruster battery installations like mine, their manual does not recommend trying to run both at the same time.

Pat
Ladybug, Too