575/588 - Quick bow and stern thrusters

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Quick bow and stern thrusters

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Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 575/588
Forum Description: 575/588 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15403
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Topic: Quick bow and stern thrusters

Posted By: Gale Force
Subject: Quick bow and stern thrusters
Date Posted: 19 October 2025 at 10:17

Hi All

I am hoping someone can help me with some advice with my Bow and Stern thruster.

I have arrived at Gale Force today after 3 months and I find the following issues after all was working well when I docked the boat.

Bow thruster:

Contoller goes through sequence.Thruster drops but does not engage but can hear relays clicking.

Stern thruster:

Does not drop and no relay switching.

Both isolator switches are engaged and the 20 amp 2 amp and big fuse are intact.

Any ideas on what I might have missed or should check would be much appreciated .

regards to all

Duncan

Replies:

Posted By: Arcadia
Date Posted: 19 October 2025 at 13:47

It’s sounds like all the electrical is working on the bow. That points to a mechanical issue. If a seal fails it can flood the motor body which will seize the motor. You may have to remove the motor and see if the shaft spins free by hand. Four Allen bolts and it can be done in the water.

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Leon / ARCADIA
2018 Hanse 588
Sag Harbor, NY

Posted By: Arcadia
Date Posted: 19 October 2025 at 14:07

For the stern, check to see if the control box has power and is displaying LEDs. If they are lit, they will indicate error using colors and flashes. That will give you a clue. If no power, check the fuse for “stern thruster” at the main power board.

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Leon / ARCADIA
2018 Hanse 588
Sag Harbor, NY

Posted By: Black Diamond
Date Posted: 20 October 2025 at 14:07

Agree with Leon. The electrical side seems to be behaving as you would expect. That points to a motor issue. That can be removed/replaced while its in the water.

If removed, you should check to see if the double joint and the drive leg are moving as they should.

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Rick
S/V Black Diamond
Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161
Newport, RI

Posted By: Arcadia
Date Posted: 20 October 2025 at 14:33

As Rick says, check the lower assembly for free movement while you’re at it. Unfortunately if there is a leaking seal or a jammed drive line, then you are looking at a haul out.

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Leon / ARCADIA
2018 Hanse 588
Sag Harbor, NY

Posted By: Black Diamond
Date Posted: 20 October 2025 at 14:54

Nothing below the motor can be addressed without hauling the boat. *USUALLY*, you will hear a screeching noise or some other "God...what was that?!" noise if one of those goes bad, but this does sound like motor to me.

With a seized motor, you might feel significant heat on the housing. Not sure how the electronics handle error situations. Do they shut it off or let the heat build? With pumps and other devices, heat is one indicator.

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Rick
S/V Black Diamond
Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161
Newport, RI

Posted By: Pzucchel
Date Posted: 20 October 2025 at 22:29

I go for the simple things: if you have been away , what are the thruster batteries conditions ? did you charge them during your absence?is the Dc-Dc 24v converter working ? lead batteries are very delicate , I am always shocked by how easily they can degrade ...I use something like this device to check them easily and rapidly :

69,46€ | Podofo DM 12V 24V Car Battery Tester for Car Truck Car Motorcycle Digital Battery Analyzer Test Tool CCA IR SOH Measurement

https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ex21zxI" rel="nofollow - https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ex21zxI

-------------
Hanse588#55

Posted By: Arcadia
Date Posted: 20 October 2025 at 22:51

Piero makes a good point. Check the simple things first! Check the thruster batteries. If you hear the relay clicking then the 24 volt low current supply from the house bank is good. But remember, the high current supply is separate and comes from the 24 volt bank in the bow. There is a 300 amp fuse and a switch.

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Leon / ARCADIA
2018 Hanse 588
Sag Harbor, NY

Posted By: Ian Coverdale
Date Posted: 21 October 2025 at 10:58

If mechanical issue stalls a DC motor of that size it will blow the high current fuse. If relays clicking and this fuse is okay then most likely you are looking at an electrical problem ... battery, isolator, motor brushes?

For stern, relay is disabled until the actuator that drops drive assemble is fully down. Download the manual, there is likely a diagnostic LED that flashes a fault code and the manual will tell you where it is and what flashes mean.

Good luck!

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Ian & Andrea
SV Gabrielle (H445)
Liveaboards - currently Montenegro.
www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle

Posted By: Gale Force
Date Posted: 21 October 2025 at 13:55

Right,thank all for your in sightful responses.Hrer is what has been found.

Bow Thruster:

28v showing on the Wurth panel but no amperage in the Bow Batteries.

So must be replaced.

Stern Thruster.Batteries ok but will be replaced.Conntol box is faulty and must be replaced but odd as I replaced the control box one year ago so I need to find out what might be causing control box failure.

As always it is great to have so much experience and knowledge come forth.

Will report back on completion of this project.

Duncan

PS batteries were swapped to determine bow condition and stern condition.

Now thats a mission!!

Posted By: Pzucchel
Date Posted: 21 October 2025 at 15:11

one obvious comment about batteries: the right voltage is never enough...the device I've commented about costs less than 20 dollars and gives information about a much more expensive battery...and I found out I use it many times a year ! I have 7x lead batteries on board , and the big job is fortunately done by reliable lithium !

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Hanse588#55

Posted By: Barnacle_Bill
Date Posted: 18 December 2025 at 18:02

I had a similar issue and ended up replacing the joysticks at the helm, which cost about $700. Usually you can contact Tech Support at Quick USA and email them a quick video of what you're seeing for the joystick lighting at the helm. There's also a fuse on the motherboard.(I believe in slot number 60 or so ), which i'm sure you've already checked.