Bow Thruster

John41

I have a 2004 342 with a bow thruster. When I put it in the water I tried to turn it on but when I pressed the button the light flashed but didn’t stay on. I thought it could be that I needed a new battery but when I changed the battery it did the same thing. Does anyone have an idea of what it could be? Thank you 

aero3113

I don’t have a thruster but help someone once with one. Turned out he needed new brushes.

aero3113

Can you spin the motor by hand then try? Maybe the brushes are stuck on the armature and need to be freed up.

YYZRC

What brand is your thruster? Lewmar? Was it factory installed?

My Sleipner thruster has a low amperage run to the switch and is high amperage to the thruster motor. I imagine yours is the same. Sounds like your high amperage circuit isn’t powered. 

Check to see if your automatic main switch is off or if the large (circa 300 amp) fuse has blown. Both should be located under the v-berth. 

John41

It was hard to change the battery. It doesn’t look like there’s easy access to the thruster. It is buried deep under the forward berth. Where would that fuse be? 

YYZRC

V-berth. 

Liberty44140

X2 on YYRC's unanswered question about the brand an answers will be brand specific. 

John41

I don’t know the brand. When I get back down to the boat I will let you know 

YYZRC

Here are pics of the thruster setup in the 330. 342 should be similar. Make sure the switch is on. ANL fuse is bottom right of the second pic. 

https://rinkerboats.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/comment/170741#Comment_170741

Liberty44140

If it is a sleipner (side shift) they have an awesome tech team to talk you through it. I've had calls, emailed pics, etc and always get an awesome, fast, informative response. They will be able to troubleshoot it through with you.... if it is that brand. Not familiar with others.