Quick bow and stern thrusters

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   Hi AllI 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

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Gale Force Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commadore Joined: 26 June 2018 Location: Sri Lanka Status: Offline Points: 398	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gale Force Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Quick bow and stern thrusters 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

Arcadia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 27 November 2017 Location: Sag Harbor, USA Status: Online Points: 1112	Post Options Post Reply Quote Arcadia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.
	Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY

Arcadia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 27 November 2017 Location: Sag Harbor, USA Status: Online Points: 1112	Post Options Post Reply Quote Arcadia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.
	Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY

Black Diamond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 24 October 2015 Location: Newport, RI, US Status: Offline Points: 1275	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black Diamond Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.
	Rick S/V Black Diamond Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161 Newport, RI

Arcadia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 27 November 2017 Location: Sag Harbor, USA Status: Online Points: 1112	Post Options Post Reply Quote Arcadia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.
	Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY

Black Diamond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 24 October 2015 Location: Newport, RI, US Status: Offline Points: 1275	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black Diamond Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.
	Rick S/V Black Diamond Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161 Newport, RI

Pzucchel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 13 March 2020 Location: floating Status: Offline Points: 659	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pzucchel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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
	Hanse588#55

Arcadia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 27 November 2017 Location: Sag Harbor, USA Status: Online Points: 1112	Post Options Post Reply Quote Arcadia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.
	Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY

Ian Coverdale Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 19 June 2019 Location: Travelling Status: Offline Points: 311	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian Coverdale Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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!
	Ian & Andrea SV Gabrielle (H445) Liveaboards - currently Montenegro. www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle

Gale Force Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commadore Joined: 26 June 2018 Location: Sri Lanka Status: Offline Points: 398	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gale Force Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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!!



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