Sidepower thruster only thrusts one direction
 

My Sidepower bow thruster only runs in one direction. No obvious
relays to replace. Only large potted modules. Anyone know what
may be the problem?

THanks!
Doug
s/v Callista

This may sound silly to you but it happened to me.

If your sidepower model is one that has two propellers check to see if they
are both still there.

One of mine became disconnected.

Adrian


"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote in message
...
My Sidepower bow thruster only runs in one direction. No obvious
relays to replace. Only large potted modules. Anyone know what
may be the problem?

THanks!
Doug
s/v Callista

Only has one prop. In any case, the motor would run even without a prop.

Doug

"Adrian" wrote in message
...
This may sound silly to you but it happened to me.

If your sidepower model is one that has two propellers check to see if
they
are both still there.

One of mine became disconnected.

Adrian


"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote in message
...
My Sidepower bow thruster only runs in one direction. No obvious
relays to replace. Only large potted modules. Anyone know what
may be the problem?

THanks!
Doug
s/v Callista

Just another thought. Even if one prop was gone, it would still thrust
since both props turn no matter which direction. If one prop was
gone than it will not be as affective as with both but will still work.

Doug

"Adrian" wrote in message
...
This may sound silly to you but it happened to me.

If your sidepower model is one that has two propellers check to see if
they
are both still there.

One of mine became disconnected.

Adrian


"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote in message
...
My Sidepower bow thruster only runs in one direction. No obvious
relays to replace. Only large potted modules. Anyone know what
may be the problem?

THanks!
Doug
s/v Callista

Assuming this is a dc motor drive.
The dc motor is reversed by changing polarity; that's a simple fact.
Check incoming polarity red+ black- and compare to output polarity at leads
going to motor (after modules or other controls).Whatever activates the
direction of thrusters should have an effect on reversing of polarity at
this point.
Try that and let us know. mik
"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote in message
...
My Sidepower bow thruster only runs in one direction. No obvious
relays to replace. Only large potted modules. Anyone know what
may be the problem?

THanks!
Doug
s/v Callista

"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote in
:

My Sidepower bow thruster

Hey! That's CHEATING!.....(c;

Sounds like you need a new, read that expensive, "module". Instead of a
relay, it probably has electronic controls (in the modules). You blew a
transistor. All it does is reverse the direction of the DC fed to the
motor.

Does this thruster also have variable speed? That would explain the
module, instead of just an on-off relay system.

Also, Let's pull the plug off the "module" and see if you have switch
contacts closing between pins in the non-functional direction. Turn off
the breaker to it and use your ohmmeter to try to find when the switch
contacts close in the non-functional direction. If you find a closure, the
module is hosed....sorry.

Besides, thrusters are CHEATING!....(c;

--
Larry

"Larry" wrote in message
...
"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote in
:

My Sidepower bow thruster

Hey! That's CHEATING!.....(c;

Sounds like you need a new, read that expensive, "module". Instead of a
relay, it probably has electronic controls (in the modules). You blew a
transistor. All it does is reverse the direction of the DC fed to the
motor.

Looks like it is a potted module.

Does this thruster also have variable speed? That would explain the
module, instead of just an on-off relay system.

No.

Also, Let's pull the plug off the "module" and see if you have switch
contacts closing between pins in the non-functional direction. Turn off
the breaker to it and use your ohmmeter to try to find when the switch
contacts close in the non-functional direction. If you find a closure,
the
module is hosed....sorry.

I suspect it is hosed in any case.

Besides, thrusters are CHEATING!....(c;

Nah! They are nice to have.

--
Larry

On Thu, 22 Sep 2005 08:17:08 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote:



Looks like it is a potted module.


What does it look like and are there part numbers or ID
on it? How many connections for large wires are there?
Is there another identical unit in the controller area?

This sounds like a solid state relay. With a DC thruster
motor there are two basic options. One is to use a DPDT
relay or two SPDT relays. The principle is to apply + & -
battery for one direction and opposite polarity across the
motor for the other direction.

A SPDT relay will have two big connections and two small ones.
A DPDT relay will have two big connectons and three small ones.
It would seem that using two SPDT relays is the proper way.
Otherwise, battery power is applied to the thruster at all times.
So there would have to be another single pole relay to shut off
power when not being activated. The most straightforward approach is
a bridge connection. This requires four modules (only). What kind of
setup does it look like you have?

The small connections are the control lines. Depending on
current rating, a replacement should be in the $15-$25 range.


Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com

"Gary G" see.signature@bottom wrote in message
...
On Thu, 22 Sep 2005 08:17:08 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote:



Looks like it is a potted module.


What does it look like and are there part numbers or ID
on it? How many connections for large wires are there?

I'll look this evening.

Is there another identical unit in the controller area?

Not sure what you mean? Controller area? All electronics are mounted
on the motor. Only other component is the control panel which is small.

This sounds like a solid state relay.

That would be my guess.

With a DC thruster
motor there are two basic options. One is to use a DPDT
relay or two SPDT relays. The principle is to apply + & -
battery for one direction and opposite polarity across the
motor for the other direction.

I'm an EE. I know how it works. Just looking for advise on the symptoms
vs which failed component on this particular unit.

A SPDT relay will have two big connections and two small ones.
A DPDT relay will have two big connectons and three small ones.
It would seem that using two SPDT relays is the proper way.
Otherwise, battery power is applied to the thruster at all times.
So there would have to be another single pole relay to shut off
power when not being activated. The most straightforward approach is
a bridge connection. This requires four modules (only). What kind of
setup does it look like you have?

Two big black potted modules.

The small connections are the control lines. Depending on
current rating, a replacement should be in the $15-$25 range.


It's for a boat! Nothing cost $15-$25 other than a small stainless steel
screw :)

No relays, just a couple of potted modules. As you said earlier. they are
likely
solid state relays.

Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com

"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote in
:

I'm an EE. I know how it works. Just looking for advise on the symptoms
vs which failed component on this particular unit.


Geez. Now I'm wondering why the "module" hasn't been properly redesigned
with non-proprietary parts easily obtainable anywhere on the planet.....

Just jumper out the module's power wiring and see if it runs in both
direction. Scrap the crappy module and put a couple of simple relays
(weatherproof would be nice) from Grainger's Supply in its place....

Of course, this is why EEs are always in the company of ETs to make the
design actually WORK....(c;)

--
Larry