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Vetus 50 bow thruster question

Engines, Electric, Plumbing, etc.

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Mike Monte
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Home Port: Portsmouth, RI

Vetus 50 bow thruster question

Post by Mike Monte »

My 2001 28TE has a Vetus Bow50 bow thruster that is original equipment.

Two years ago; new selenoid, brushes cleaned, bearing changed at a marine motor shop, new switch this season.

It has become intermittent again........

Is it possible to swap-out the original motor to the newer Bow55 (which is available locally)?

I called a few of the local dealers/installers and no one knows......

Vetus (Cocoa beach, FL) is on vacation this week...

Any thoughts?
Carl
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Re: Vetus 50 bowthruster question

Post by Carl »

Try the main office in Hanover Md
28TE "Kozy L"
"How U Albin"
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Norseman
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Re: Vetus 50 bowthruster question

Post by Norseman »

Yes, call Vetus USA, they have been very helpful.
I asked the same question, the answer is: Maybe.
Too many versions..
2001 28TE, 6LP-STE, 1,337 hrs, 19X18 four-blade wheel.
Mike Monte
First Mate
First Mate
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:06 pm
Home Port: Portsmouth, RI

Re: Vetus 50 bowthruster question

Post by Mike Monte »

As a follow up to my OP:
I sprayed some electrical contact cleaner through the screen on the motor and that cleared up to issue until it started acting-up again in mid-October.
I did some research and found a place with an excellent reputation for rebuilding bow thruster motors:
Hub Automotive Rebuilders, Ipswich, MA

I called Joe (the owner) and explained the issue.
He told me that he has rebuilt many Vetus motors.

...I had called Vetus support and was advised to go with a new unit (Bow60) which is a direct replacement for the one that I have......

I brought the unit to Hub on November 20th at which time he told me that he would first check the solenoid, and if it was found faulty, I would purchase one and he would install it when I pick up the unit.

It was ready for pick up on November 28th.

The unit was totally dismantled, some parts were replaced, others were cleaned/polished/lubricated, reinstalled, and adjusted.
The unit was cleaned/prepped/and painted.

He corrected and noted (and explained to me - rather complicated) the main reason for the issues I had.....

He told me that the unit now works as good as new as far as he can tell.

The price was more-than-reasonable.
Carl
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Posts: 772
Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 6:14 am
Home Port: Oxford, MD
Location: Preston, MD

Re: Vetus 50 bow thruster question

Post by Carl »

“ He corrected and noted (and explained to me - rather complicated) the main reason for the issues I had.....‘

So can you share any of those issues with us?
28TE "Kozy L"
"How U Albin"
Mike Monte
First Mate
First Mate
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:06 pm
Home Port: Portsmouth, RI

Re: Vetus 50 bow thruster question

Post by Mike Monte »

Let's see if I remember: The intermittent issue crept in when the unit was bringing the bow to starboard....
The tech said that there was a "burn mark" in the armature or rotor(?) or something of that nature that affected the connection.

He said that the particular (intermittent) issue occurs after the motor is used as it is heated-up a bit (which is exactly what was going on).

btw: My tech re-installed the motor and we tested it. The motor runs smoother/quieter now.
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