vitrus bowthruster

my blue heaven

New Member
Jun 29, 2022
11
Boat Info
2005 Sundancer
Engines
454 Mercruiser
2005 36 Sundance
I'm hoping to get some help! The control cable to my bow thruster failed,
The bow thruster unit is fine, and the control unit is also working; the problem is in the control cable, I ohm out the wires and the connectors. The connectors seem okay.
There are four wires 1234 from the thruster to the control unit, one and four are signal leads control unit ( joystick ) for the left and right control, 2 and 3 are the power leads,
that's what seems to be open, I'm sure there is no fuse protection in between the power leads, other than what's on the thruster itself, which has a 5amp fuse that protects the control unit, and that tested out okay

I would hate having to replace the control cable. Does anyone know what direction
this cable takes before I start undoing the bundles of neatly placed wires by
sea ray
 
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Hey, not trying to be your 4th grade teacher but, would you consider using punctuation and capitals? It sure makes it easier for people to understand what you're asking for.
 
What is happening with the control unit? is it blinking or lighting up at all? There is a small fuse on the thruster that allows the control unit to power the solenoid.
 
The 5 amp fuse is ok. The power going to the control unit has an open
in the control cable, I tested the connectors; they also seem ok.
It's crazy because I didn't do anything on the boat to cause an issue with this control cable.
It looks like I have to replace the cable. I was trying to figure out the best way to rerun the line.
 
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More likely to be a connection problem rather that bad cable. Cable doesn't just go bad... it either burns up or gets physically damaged/cut, either of which should be obvious.

Also check for bad battery... it may read 12+ volts with no load, but put a load on it and it falls on its face.
 
If you still suspect the cable, order a new one and just run it thru the cabin to test it before you rip up the cabin to install it. Vetus is pretty proud of those cables for what they are actually. I would suspect battery or relay before the cable as well. You can jumper the power lead at the joystick plug as fix as well instead of running a new cable. I have wired several of these into my wireless remote systems on only run one power wire to the control panel. That beats tearing up the cabin and fishing a new cable.
Good luck
CD
 
Thank you
I will give that a try
 
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Couple of things, the MAIN power cables to the thruster motor, trace back to battery and check for voltage. Also that main battery cable has a fuse/breaker some where in line with it. They are wired similar to a windlass.
 
If you still suspect the cable, order a new one and just run it thru the cabin to test it before you rip up the cabin to install it. Vetus is pretty proud of those cables for what they are actually. I would suspect battery or relay before the cable as well. You can jumper the power lead at the joystick plug as fix as well instead of running a new cable. I have wired several of these into my wireless remote systems on only run one power wire to the control panel. That beats tearing up the cabin and fishing a new cable.
Good luck
CD


I agree.....make up a short cable and plug it into the harness at the thruster. That way you know for sure that the cable is the problem.

Just for clarity......bow thruster failure is normally:

1) Battery
2) Joystick
3) Prop broken/jammed
4) Solenoid/Relay
5) Control box
6) Bow thruster motor failure
 
I agree.....make up a short cable and plug it into the harness at the thruster. That way you know for sure that the cable is the problem.

Just for clarity......bow thruster failure is normally:

1) Battery
2) Joystick
3) Prop broken/jammed
4) Solenoid/Relay
5) Control box
6) Bow thruster motor failure
Thank You
Much appreciate your support.
 
upload_2022-8-9_12-17-14.jpeg
 

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Just update on lost power to control unit.
I didn't realize the control cable going back to the head unit (thruster motor) was booted, which makes sense.
It would have been hard to run the control cable with the head connector.
When I removed the boot, the power lead was nicked; look at the photo, the black
wire, which is the positive wire, got all eroded; that's what caused the failure
Thanks to all for your comments !!! problem solved
 
Great job finding that needle in the hay stack! I lost my bow thruster last month for a few days. Finally looked at the 200 amp fuse again with better light on it. Blown, got the last one in stock at the local West Marine.
 

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