Testing Thruster
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Before launching the EchoBoat check the thruster motors for proper operation.
Before testing thrusters, it is important to note that these thrusters are lubricated by
water. The thrusters should be wet for the following steps. Do not run the thrusters
for more than a few seconds at a time out of the water.
•
Refer to propulsion system calibration procedures if you notice the thrusters are not
spinning evenly, or if the propulsion system does not operate as outlined in the
thruster test below.
•
Note: the thruster motors are designed to be counter rotating. With forward thrust
both propellers should rotate inboard, that is, port propeller rotates clockwise and
starboard propeller rotates count-clockwise (as viewed from standing behind boat).
With reverse thrust the propellers should rotate outboard.
•
Forward Thrust Test: While holding a piece of paper approximately 6 inches aft of
each thruster motor, slowly push throttle joystick on remote control unit straight
forward. The paper should be pushed away from the thruster motors, that is,
thruster motor will blow air aft of the boat. This indicates forward thrust of the boat.
•
Reverse Thrust Test: While holding a piece of paper approximately 6 inches aft of
each thruster motor, slowly pull throttle joystick on remote control unit straight
backwards. The paper should be pulled toward the thruster motors, that is, thruster
motor will blow air toward bow of boat. This indicates reverse thrust of the boat.
•
Turning Thrust Test: The propulsion systems uses differential thrust to turn the
boat, that is, as one motor provides forward thrust the other motor provides reverse
thrust.
•
Use the paper technique to test forward and reverse thrust of each motor while
turning port and starboard.
•
Turn to port:
Slowly push throttle joystick on remote control unit forward and to the left. The port
motor will provide reverse thrust and the starboard motor will provide forward
thrust.
•
Turn to starboard:
Slowly push throttle joystick on remote control unit forward and to the right. The
starboard motor will provide reverse thrust and the port motor will provide forward
thrust.
Seafloor Systems, Inc. | [email protected] | +1(530) 677-1019
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