Vetus Bow Pro Series Thrusters User Manual

vetus BOW PRO Series Thrusters 

Make sure that the user of the vessel is supplied with the owner’s manual.

Safety measures

Warning indications

The following warning indications are used in this manual in the context of safety.

 Danger

Indicates that great potential danger exists that can lead to serious injury or death.

Warning

Indicates that a potential danger that can lead to injury exists.

Caution

Indicates that the usage procedures, actions etc. concerned can result in serious damage to or destruction of the device. Some CAUTION indications also advise that a potential danger exists that can lead to serious injury or death.

  Note

Emphasises important procedures, circumstances etc.

Symbols

Indicates that the relevant procedure must be carried out.

Indicates that a particular action is forbidden.

Warning! When using the bow thruster watch out for swimmers or light boats which could be in the near vicinity of the bow thruster tunnel openings.

Pass on the safety instructions to others using the bow thruster.
General rules and laws with regard to safety and accident-prevention also need to be applied.

• Never touch the moving ends of the bow thruster whilst in operation.
• Never touch hot parts of the bow thruster and never place flammable materials in the vicinity of the bow thruster.
• Always stop the bow thruster before checking components or adjusting the bow thruster.
• Always disconnect the battery terminals during maintenance work.
• Ensure maintenance work is safe by only using tools suitable for the purpose.
• Always deactivate the main switch when the bow thruster is not in use for long periods.

Introduction

This manual gives guidelines for the use of the VETUS ‘BOW PRO’ bow thrusters.

The bow or stern thruster system consists of the following basic components:

• Side thruster
• Tunnel
• Energy storage
• Energy supply
• Operation

Note Please consult the user manuals of all components before putting the complete system into operation.

The ‘BOW PRO’ bow thrusters have the following features: 

• The thrust is continuously variable.
• The runtime is mainly limited by the capacity of the installed batteries.
• The thrust delivered is, within certain limits, not dependent on the battery voltage.
  • With a decreasing battery voltage, the controller ensures that the thrust will be maintained (APB, Active Power Balancing).
  • However, the current will increase with a decreasing battery voltage. If the current goes higher than is desirable, the delivered power is reduced (ACC, Automatic Current Control).
  • When the batteries are discharged such that the voltage has dropped to 10,5 Volts, with a 12 Volt system (21 V at 24 V), the power supplied is reduced (AVC, Active Voltage Control)
  • If the discharge of the batteries proceeds still further, so if the voltage has dropped to about 10 volts in a 12 volt system (about 20 V for 24 V), the bow thruster will stop.
• Overheating of both motor and / or regulator is prevented by decreasing the output power after a very long period of continuous use.
• The thrust only decreases slightly (ATB, Active Temperature Balancing).
• In the event of a sudden overload of the motor, caused by an object in the tunnel, the motor will switch off for safety reasons (ABC, Active Blockage Control).
• The maintenance is minimal because the motor does not use carbon brushes.

Alterations made to the bow thruster by the user will void any liability on the part of the manufacturer for any damages that may result.

The actual thrust force, as performed by the bow thruster, will give different results with each individual vessel, depending on the windage, displacement and shape of the underwater section.

The nominal thrust quoted can only be achieved under normal conditions:

• Make sure that the batteries are supplying the correct voltage during use.

Following the above recommendations will result in longer life and better performance of your bow thruster.

• Carry out the recommended maintenance regularly.

Note The maximum continuous length of usage and the thrust as specified in the technical details are based on the recommended battery capacities and battery cables.

Maintenance

For maintenance, please consult the ‘Maintenance and Warranty Book’ supplied.

Protection

The bow thruster is equipped with, among other things, protection against:

• Overheating of the motor or of the controller. If the temperature of the motor or the regulator exceeds a certain value, the output power of the bow thruster motor will be reduced.
• Overload of the motor,
• The batteries being deeply discharged.

If a problem occurs, the control panel will sound a warning sound once (1) didahdididah (. -.. -) and the LED will flash red.

If the problem is no longer present, the control panel sounds a signal didi (..) and the red LED turns off.

In the event of problems with the bow thruster, the LEDs on the indicator panel of the  bow thruster indicate the following:

Temperature of the motor or the controller too high. Current too high or short circuit. Battery voltage is too high or too low. Motor blocked. General error.	Battery voltage OK. CAN bus communication OK.	Motor power reduced, due to excessive motor or regulator temperature or incorrect battery voltage.

Trouble shooting

Electric motor does not operate

• Check that the battery main switch is ‘ON’.
• Check that the battery voltage is correct:
  • 12 V bow thruster : 10.5 – 14.4 V,
  • 24 V bow thruster : 21.0 – 28.8 V,
  • 48 V bow thruster : 42.0 – 57.6 V.
• Check if the control current fuse has blown. [1]
• Check whether the fuse of the CAN bus power supply has blown.
• Check whether one of the main supply fuses has blown. [2]

In all the above cases, the “POWER” LED on the motor does not light up.

• An overload has occurred, see protections.

As soon as the controller has cooled down sufficiently the LED will turn blue again and the bow thruster can be used again.

Check if it is possible to turn the propeller. A piece of wood or similar could have been caught between the propeller and the tunnel.

Electric motor turns slowly

• The motor or regulator has become too hot, the motor is running at reduced power.
• Weed or fishing line has become caught in the propeller.

Control panel fuse is blown [1]

• Short circuit in the operating circuit; check the wiring.

Electric motor rotates, but there is no thrust

• The blades of the propeller have been damaged by a foreign object having entered the propeller or tunnel.
• The drive pin*) on the propeller shaft is broken due to an object in the tunnel.
  Replace the drive pin and check the hub of the propeller for damage. *) Except the BOWB150 (150 kgf), which does not have a drive pin.

After pressing the on/off switch on the panel, the panel does not switch on.

• The on/off switch must be pressed a second time within 6 seconds. The LED will then remain green and the buzzer will confirm that the panel is ready for use by showing the signal (- . -).
• When the on/off switch is pressed, the joystick is not in the middle position.

[1] The control circuit fuse is located on the controller.
[2] See table

Customer Support

FOKKERSTRAAT 571 – 3125 BD SCHIEDAM – HOLLAND
TEL.: +31 (0)88 4884700 – [email protected] – www.vetus.com

References

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