Revolutional concept matched with proven technology

Our BOW PRO thrusters use proven induction motors without carbon brushes. As a result, the bow thruster motor is maintenance-free and has Endurance Rated* run-time! Just the tailpiece and the power circuits need regular maintenance. The induction motor is controlled by the VETUS MCV motor controller. This in-house-engineered motor controller can handle both 12 V or 24 V board systems, making the new BOW PRO thruster suitable for almost all boats. The built-in over-temp and low battery protection, combined with the brushless induction motor make the BOW PRO thruster series highly resistent to abuse and ideal for even the most inexperienced boater!

BOW PRO thruster is controlled by proprietary CANBUS protocol (digital control). There are two fully-proportional panels available for the thruster series; one basic panel (BPPPA) and one panel with lock-and-hold function for easy docking (BPPJA). BOW PRO thrusters utilize same propellers and gearboxes proven in VETUS thrusters for over 30 years. Upgrading a boat with an existing thruster to a BOW PRO thrust easily accommodated as the Bow Pro thruster was made to share tunnel sizes with current VETUS thrusters as well as many other brands

(R)Evolution from VETUS

in 2018 VETUS introduced the (R)Evolution in bow thruster design: The BOW PRO Thruster: a combination of the renowned electric bow thruster series and the quiet RimDrive.

Revolution

Our BOW PRO thrusters are fitted with proven induction technology. This system makes the use of carbon brushes obsolete. As a result, the bow thruster is very quiet and has indefinite* run-time! The (AC) induction motor is controlled by the VETUS MCV motor controller. This in-house-engineered motor controller can handle both 12V, 24V and AC motors, making the new bow thruster suitable for almost all boats!

Evolution

The BOW PRO thruster is controlled by a proprietary CANBUS protocol. There are two different panels available for this thruster; one fully-proportional basic panel and one fully-proportional panel with lock-function. This allows the boat to be moored without the use of ropes. Letting passengers board your vessel have never been this easy! Evolution is to continue on a set of good properties, so there are similarities with its predecessors: remained are the very silent propeller blades and the streamlined tailpiece. Retrofitting a BOW PRO thruster, therefore, is a piece of cake as the new motor is interchangeable with the tailpiece and flange of our thruster range.

INSTALLING A VETUS BOW PRO THRUSTER

A BOW PRO thruster is an advanced product that cannot be compared with DC thrusters used in the past. Built-in intelligence and the application of V-CAN (Vetus - Controller Area Network) have strongly improved overall performance and ease of use.

V-CAN

Devices connected to the V-CAN line are known as nodes. The main line running from the power supply to the end of the line is called backbone. A side-line running from the backbone to a node is called side-branch. Each side-branch is connected via a connection point called a hub.

Thruster control panels are equipped with two V-CAN connectors to allow the connection of a terminating resistor or to act as a connection point for the backbone.

It is important to correctly install the V-CAN system. Please refer to the instructions below.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Only use V-CAN cables
• Connect a terminating resistor to both ends of the V-CAN line. Please note that one of the terminating resistors is integrated in the power cable
• Keep the length of V-CAN cables below 40 meters
• Keep the length of a side-branch below 1 meter

V-CAN uses 12Volt DC (direct current). The power may be provided by a battery bank or an external power supply. Detailed schemes can be found in the installation manual.

• 12V battery bank: connect the V-CAN neutral to the central neutral of the boat
• 24V or 48V battery bank: the V-CAN neutral should be connected to the neutral of the connected node
• Non galvanically isolated DC/DC convertor: the neutral of the input and output must be taken from the neutral of the battery bank (12, 24 or 48V DC)

TROUBLESHOOTING

What type of BOW PRO do I have?

• A BOW PRO A (BOWA) has a blue cover with a single V-CAN connector.
• A BOW PRO B (BOW Boosted) has a blue cover with two V-CAN connectors.

BOW PRO is not working?

V-CAN

• Power supply 12V DC?
• Cables and connectors in good condition and of the correct type?
• Connectors correctly inserted (“click”)?
• Both terminating resistors correctly in place?
• Correct voltage on each node? (pin 1 = 12VDC positive, pin 3 = 12VDC neutral)

Thruster

• Battery supply switched on?
• Correct supply voltage used? Please check the label on top of the thruster motor controller. The last number refers to the supply voltage: 1 = 12VDC, 2 = 24VDC and 4 = 48VDC
• Positive and neutral wires connected to the correct connection points of the thruster motor controller?
• Positive and neutral wires of the correct diameter and length?
• Neutral cable connection isolated from any conductive part?
• Cable glands tightly connected?
• White connector for the motor thermal sensor correctly connected to the circuit board on the top cover?
• (BOW B only) Is the fan connector correctly connected (connector latch in place) to the circuit board on the top cover?
• Is the wire running from the top cover circuit board to the thruster motor controller, fixed and are all connectors 

Thruster Fan

A cooling fan is present on some BOWB models. The purpose of the fan is to cool down the motor controller electronics. The fan is activated when the control panel is switched on or in case the boost function is active.

• If the thruster works but the fan does not, please check the fan wiring and connections.

Control panel issues?

• Setup control panel: please strictly refer to the specific instruction manual
• Child safety lock: Press the on/off button twice to disable
• When the panel is switched on, does the beeper sound? If not, check the power supply
• When the beeper sounds, does the blue LED blink? If not, no V-CAN communication is present
• When a red LED blinks, there is a failure on the connected node (thruster/motor)
• In case the panel is not working, even if power is available and the V-CAN system is correctly installed, the panel may be defective. Replace the panel and check again