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?
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.
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
|
Voltage (V) |
12 V |
|
Max. operating time (minutes) |
Unlimited |
Technical documentation
WARNING:
This product can expose you to chemicals including Di-n-hexyl Phthalate (DnHP)
which is known to the State of California to cause reproductive harm, and
Vinyl Chloride which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For
more information go to 
