Bow thruster not producing much thrust

[O C Diver]

Took me a bit to come around to the current draw issue, but see that now. Vetus' page for this model includes an asterisk that notes "this model is design to be a compatible replacement for older Vetus BOW75 4.7kW units." Mine might draw more than 500 amps. No way that should be on 110 feet of 2/0 cable.

4.7 KW (4,700 watts) ÷ 12 volts = 392 amps. From recollection, a DC motor running at below rated voltage shouldn't require more amps, it should slow down.

Even more keen to know how much of a voltage drop you're getting.

I would consider taking your start battery up the the bow thruster and wiring it with some 2' cables as an experiment. See if it gives you the push that you want and how much of a voltage drop. Then all you have to do is decide how many boat units you want to invest.

Ted

 

[Jeff F]

If you have space for new batteries forward it's not a particularly expensive proposition. A couple of small starting batteries, a small dc-dc charger and a few short cables are all that's required.

My boat was wired like the OP's when I got it. This was one of my first upgrades.

 

[more]

I burned my bow truster from a factory installed on ex. boat. bow truster to battery bank be 5-meter cable 90 mm2. voltage on truster on work 9-10V factory. for you install 1 starter battery 100-180Ah around 1000+ cca 1 meter from truster and see a huge difference.

 

[Comodave]

4.7 KW (4,700 watts) ÷ 12 volts = 392 amps. From recollection, a DC motor running at below rated voltage shouldn't require more amps, it should slow down.

Even more keen to know how much of a voltage drop you're getting.

I would consider taking your start battery up the the bow thruster and wiring it with some 2' cables as an experiment. See if it gives you the push that you want and how much of a voltage drop. Then all you have to do is decide how many boat units you want to invest.

Ted

I suggested doing a temporary start battery for a test in post #12, I guess that great minds think alike…