OP
OP
Imacss
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2018
- Messages
- 27
- Location
- Australia
- Vessel Name
- Happy Hour - Not named by me though
- Vessel Make
- 1985 Clipper 34 - Aft Cabin
UPDATE !!
Well I went out to Happy Hour this afternoon after speaking to a Vetus dealer who told me that the drive gearbox (in the tunnel) is a sealed (lifetime) unit and that a dry roller bearing in the motor was most unusual. So after opening up the hatch under the forward bunks I found a very clean looking Thruster which all checked out okay. Even the motor brushes still looked new (28mm long).
I then operated the Thruster with the hatch cover off and realised that the noise was actually coming from the engine room. (Duh!!)
I am now thinking that the noise is actually a slipping alternator drive belt which I will have to investigate further of course.
I am wondering if this makes sense to anyone else due to the high load imposed on the alternator (i.e. high current draw).
Testing this theory should be easy and simple i.e operating the Thruster with the motor not running. - I haven't done this before as it is not recommended. I am feeling a bit more positive about this now.
I will update this again after my next trip to the marina.
Well I went out to Happy Hour this afternoon after speaking to a Vetus dealer who told me that the drive gearbox (in the tunnel) is a sealed (lifetime) unit and that a dry roller bearing in the motor was most unusual. So after opening up the hatch under the forward bunks I found a very clean looking Thruster which all checked out okay. Even the motor brushes still looked new (28mm long).
I then operated the Thruster with the hatch cover off and realised that the noise was actually coming from the engine room. (Duh!!)
I am now thinking that the noise is actually a slipping alternator drive belt which I will have to investigate further of course.
I am wondering if this makes sense to anyone else due to the high load imposed on the alternator (i.e. high current draw).
Testing this theory should be easy and simple i.e operating the Thruster with the motor not running. - I haven't done this before as it is not recommended. I am feeling a bit more positive about this now.
I will update this again after my next trip to the marina.
