Bow thruster sometimes stuck in on position

[Mitch61]

My bow thruster in my 2013 GW Freedom gets stuck in on position and also only pushes to port, not starboard. Any ideas?

 

[Hookup1]

What brand bow thruster? Is it on/off or proportional? Given your description of the problem it could be the switch falling apart internally.

The on/off style, probably what you have, is easy to troubleshoot with a voltmeter.

 

[Halfhitch]

Most likely the relays but could be the control switch. Show some pictures of those two things so guys can give you a better evaulation.

 

[Mitch61]

What brand bow thruster? Is it on/off or proportional? Given your description of the problem it could be the switch falling apart internally.

The on/off style, probably what you have, is easy to troubleshoot with a voltmeter.

it is on/off, do you take off the cover at the control and check voltage on the terminals

 

[Mitch61]

it is on/off, do you take off the cover at the control and check voltage on the terminals

Thanks!

 

[Mitch61]

Most likely the relays but could be the control switch. Show some pictures of those two things so guys can give you a better evaulation.

Thank you!

 

[Hookup1]

it is on/off, do you take off the cover at the control and check voltage on the terminals

You can start at the control and check the switch. There are likely 4 wires. Positive (red), Negative (black), Thrust left and Thrust right. When the switch is activated 12-volt positive will be applied to one or the other thrust wire. You should be able to see the switch "stuck" as well as the switch "fail".

The thrust left/right wires cause a solenoid to pull to either side and apply the power to the thruster motor. The solenoid reverses the polarity in order to change the thrust direction. I think your problem is in the switch not the solenoid.

 

[Mitch61]

You can start at the control and check the switch. There are likely 4 wires. Positive (red), Negative (black), Thrust left and Thrust right. When the switch is activated 12-volt positive will be applied to one or the other thrust wire. You should be able to see the switch "stuck" as well as the switch "fail".

The thrust left/right wires cause a solenoid to pull to either side and apply the power to the thruster motor. The solenoid reverses the polarity in order to change the thrust direction. I think your problem is in the switch not the solenoid.

I will try that, thanks very much; I greatly appreciate it!!

 

[Hookup1]

I will try that, thanks very much; I greatly appreciate it!!

It's a simple circuit like a windlass setup that uses a relay to reverse + and - to motor to go up/down or in this case left or right. Good luck!

 

[Mitch61]

It's a simple circuit like a windlass setup that uses a relay to reverse + and - to motor to go up/down or in this case left or right. Good luck!

Thanks again!!!