MAX Power VIP 150 Electric Retractable Thruster - Manual (Page 14)

VIP 150, 12/24V with Electronic Controller . 25/12/05
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5. TESTS and CHECKS
5.1 BEFORE LAUNCHING:
a) Raise and lower thruster.
b) Check that the hull closing plate shuts firmly.
c) Confirm that all bolts have been sufficiently tightened, especially the base bolts.
d) Correct the adjustment of the position detectors, if needed.
If the up/down motors function the wrong way round, reverse the two wires connected to
the up/down motors.
Never test the thruster to the left or right with the boat out of the water. This is due to
the risk of injuries and the risk of damage to the thruster motor and relay.
5.2 AFTER LAUNCHING:
a) Check the water tightness of the thruster installation.
b) Turn on power to both circuits (power and control).
c) Thrust tests must be carried out under NORMAL conditions:
- with the batteries fully charged and in good condition.
- with the engine running and the alternator charging the batteries.
If the joystick is pushed to the left and the boat moves to the right, inverse the brown and
blue control wires, going to the thruster relay.
6. OPERATION LIMITATIONS
Never leave the VIP in the down position when not in use. Any calcium, or shellfish deposits
that accumulate after a long period in the down position will deteriorate the column’s water
seal.
The VIP must be in the up position during normal navigation. The VIP should only be
used under conditions with less than 5 knots forward speed. Examples - berthing
manoeuvres, assisting a tack in light air.
Please note that the electric motor of the VIP is rated S2-2min. This means the motor can run
continuously for 2 minutes, after which it should be stopped for a sufficient time to cool
down to the ambient temperature.
Please keep in mind that the supply to the up/down motors is not automatically interrupted
if the proximity switches do not detect the position detectors. Care must thus be taken to
remove ones finger from the up or down button as soon as unit blocks, before fully up or
down positions are reached.
The VIP thruster should always be used when the batteries are fully charged and the with
the engine alternator running. Discharged batteries will damage the motor and/or relay.