The 286/352 lbf bow thruster is only available with a 24 Volt DC electric motor. By installation of a series/parallel switch in a 12 Volt ship's main power supply system it is possible that:

• the 24 Volt bow propeller will work using 2 (12 Volt)
  batteries in series connection, so as to obtain the required
  24 Volt voltage.
• the batteries can be charged; the 2 (12 Volt) batteries are
  connected in parallel and linked to the 12 Volt
  charging system.

  VETUS can supply such a series/parallel switch complete with pre-assembled auxiliary relays to ensure easy connection to the bow thruster. When the batteries, installed for the bow thruster, are being used for other 12 Volt consumers as well, it should be considered that both batteries will supply 12 Volt to the consumers via the charging wires and via the charging contacts of the series/parallel switch.

  The rating for continuous duty of the charging contacts of the series/parallel switch is maximum 60 Amps. Therefore, never use these batteries as starter batteries and never connect an anchor windlass to these batteries. After installation of the series/parallel switch, the operational procedure of the bow thruster is as usual.