Bow thruster

[South of Heaven]

Another observation...The button for my port bow thruster is kinda "iffy". It works but I have to press it at the right angle. If I press it straight on it doesn't work AND I hear a click.... The starboard side button is perfect. Ill check the port button on the bridge as well.

Any ideas?

 

[O C Diver]

Think I would replace the switch and see if that solves your problem.

Ted

 

[CaptSteve53]

Yes sounds like a switch issue with their contacts inside, how ever where are your relays mounted? as if mounted close to the switch area you may be hearing the relay "click" thus proving to be a bad relay,

Cheers Steve

 

[dhays]

Another observation...The button for my port bow thruster is kinda "iffy". It works but I have to press it at the right angle. If I press it straight on it doesn't work AND I hear a click.... The starboard side button is perfect. Ill check the port button on the bridge as well.

Any ideas?

We likely have different thrusters and switches, but I had the same issue with one of mine. At first a switch was kind of intermittent and finally it quit in one direction. I have a Vetus thruster with joystick toggles. I tore apart the switch and found that internally there were some basic push button switches inside, one for each direction. They were a GE switch that I was able to get on Amazon or EBay for about $5 each and easy to swap out. Much cheaper than the 100's of dollars to just order a new switch unit from Vetus.

When I ordered it, I ordered a couple extra. Since I have bow and stern thrusters, each switch assembly has 2 toggles and 4 switches. I have the same on the flybridge. I noticed this trip that one of the ones on the flybridge is starting to become intermittent.

 

[rwidman]

Another observation...The button for my port bow thruster is kinda "iffy". It works but I have to press it at the right angle. If I press it straight on it doesn't work AND I hear a click.... The starboard side button is perfect. Ill check the port button on the bridge as well.

Any ideas?

You could swap the two switches to see if the problem is the switch itself but from your description, I believe it is the switch.

In some cases, spraying electrical contact cleaner into the switch will correct the problem but the most reliable fix is to replace the switch.

If you try the contact cleaner fix, you have to be able to get the spray actually to the contacts themselves. On some switches you can do this. On some, you cannot.

I am not at my boat now, but if memory serves, that switch might be the same as your horn switch. If so, you could swap out the horn switch and just buy a new horn switch without having to have a perfect physical match.

 

[Sharpseadog]

We likely have different thrusters and switches, but I had the same issue with one of mine. At first a switch was kind of intermittent and finally it quit in one direction. I have a Vetus thruster with joystick toggles. I tore apart the switch and found that internally there were some basic push button switches inside, one for each direction. They were a GE switch that I was able to get on Amazon or EBay for about $5 each and easy to swap out. Much cheaper than the 100's of dollars to just order a new switch unit from Vetus.

When I ordered it, I ordered a couple extra. Since I have bow and stern thrusters, each switch assembly has 2 toggles and 4 switches. I have the same on the flybridge. I noticed this trip that one of the ones on the flybridge is starting to become intermittent.

I really wish I'd seen your post. The Vetus joystick on my flybridge failed and it was over $300 for the replacement. Can you provide me with the SKU# for those GE switches in case I ever need them?

 

[dhays]

I really wish I'd seen your post. The Vetus joystick on my flybridge failed and it was over $300 for the replacement. Can you provide me with the SKU# for those GE switches in case I ever need them?

I will see if I can find it.

OK, I found the photos I took back in January of 2017. The first photo is my Vetus switch. The second is the back of the switch. 3rd is what it looks like after being opened up. Each of those 4 red/orange things is a simple switch. They pull out and can be replaced. 4th image is the packaging from the switch I used to replace them. I think I still have an extra on the boat that I got at the time.

Amazon.com