Sleipner/Side Power Thruster Failures in new units

[James E]

Update : The local "support agent" felt that the voltage as measured at the stern thruster of 11.8 volts was too high. Strange, given it is a 12 volt system and there was nothing in the Sleipner documentation about this ( the only mention of a voltage range in their documentation gives up to 16 volts as acceptable). In order to resolve this the yacht importer picked up the cost of installing a separate battery pack for the stern thruster. After this and after the stern thruster coupling was replaced again ( 3 had sheared), it has worked fine, although has not been subject to heavy use. So maybe the voltage was the problem or maybe Sleipner had re-engineered the coupling strength in the replacement units ( there has been no communication from Sleipner on this). The bow thruster has not sheared again, the apparent logic being that the long cable run from the house bank drops the voltage enough to prevent it from being overpowered. However given it had sheared previously when a solenoid lock in issue occurred, I'm still not confident in its reliability and in my opinion Sleipner should issue a communication addressing whether there is a weakness with the flexible couplings.

 

[James E]

Update: Stern thruster sheared again today. This was after a separate battery bank was installed for the stern thruster, proving that the advice given by the Sleipner support agent ( i.e. voltage to high) was irrelevant. Count is now 4 stern thruster couplings sheared and one bow thruster coupling sheared. Now seeking legal advice.

 

[Comodave]

I don’t believe that 11.8 volts is too much. I installed a stern thruster on our last boat and the battery was within 3’ of the thruster and I used 4/0 cable so I had more voltage than 11.8 volts and never had an issue with the thruster. It feels like some smoke being blown with that info…

 

[tiltrider1]

To take this seriously I would need to know which exact model is being installed. Also what has Sliepner’s response been to this?

 

[O C Diver]

I broke three Side Power blades in 8 years of cruising. Twice I could see the remains of the fish that got between the blade and the down leg.

IMO, I don't think you will be able to prove in a court of law that something didn’t get between the blade and the down leg.

Ted

 

[vertigopilot]

Update: Stern thruster sheared again today. This was after a separate battery bank was installed for the stern thruster, proving that the advice given by the Sleipner support agent ( i.e. voltage to high) was irrelevant. Count is now 4 stern thruster couplings sheared and one bow thruster coupling sheared. Now seeking legal advice.

Your irritation with this nagging problem is quite understandable (especially the BS advice from the manufacturer's rep that "overvoltage" at 11.8v was the problem.) The runaround you're getting on a new boat is shocking. Perhaps it's time for a sternly-worded written demand with a performance deadline.

 

[BruceK]

James E, the idea that a thruster runs optimally on a flat to semi flat battery output defies the improvement I saw renewing the dedicated bowthruster battery.
Please let us know how the "legal advice" goes. As a retired one, slowly, I expect.

 

[James E]

Model is SRV100/185T.

 

[James E]

Sleipner's response has been through their local distributor and support agent, who claims they are passing on responses from Sleipner. They have made several suggestions of things to check, all of which have involved many man hours of work by an experienced marine electrician. The suggestions include things like checking the alignment and voltage at the thruster. So far they have resisted my demand for a new unit, noting that this has been going on for a year now without a solution.

 

[oguidry]

Has the boat manufacturer or the dealer you bought the boat through been involved?

 

[tiltrider1]

I spent a few moments with the installation manual. There are a lot of warnings associated with the coupling unit. Just reading the manual scared me enough to never consider this unit.

I believe the coupling unit is an excessively weak point in the system but that is only my opinion based off of reading their manual. It is still possible that the coupling unit is completely satisfactory.

I still have fears that long runs are causing voltage drops that are affecting the controllers in a negative fashion. Side power has some built in pulsing routines that could be causing strong surges and quick reverses when confused by an excessive voltage drop. Not knowing the voltage reading to the controllers is a concern. Again this may be the cause but the real issue appears inadequate strength in the coupler.

I am still confused on the warranty situation. Is this a new boat or a used purchase? Who installed the unit and what warranty have they offered? Even if I had these answers I am not sure I could give you any useful advice. This is certainly sounding like a room full of people all pointing fingers at each other saying their fault.

 

[AlanT]

There's a lot of consensus here that regardless of the shearing issue, the batteries should be located at the site of the thruster. A sensible installation would have both the bow thruster and the windlass feeding off a bow oriented bank with a dedicated charger and the stern thruster fed from either the house (if the house bank is is within 10' of the stern) or another dedicated bank + dedicated charger). If drawing the stern thruster amps from the house bank the house bank should be sufficiently robust to withstand that and maintaining voltage,

 

[Comodave]

There's a lot of consensus here that regardless of the shearing issue, the batteries should be located at the site of the thruster. A sensible installation would have both the bow thruster and the windlass feeding off a bow oriented bank with a dedicated charger and the stern thruster fed from either the house (if the house bank is is within 10' of the stern) or another dedicated bank + dedicated charger). If drawing the stern thruster amps from the house bank the house bank should be sufficiently robust to withstand that and maintaining voltage,

The only problem with that is that the house bank is usually deep cycle and the thruster is more similar to a starting application. I have 2 thruster banks with starting batteries next to the thrusters.