Vetus launches new Bow Pro thrusters
Vetus has launched its first Bow Pro Boosted units for 400-mm tunnels, which are being previewed for the first time this week at METSTRADE 2022 (15-17 November).
Expanding the Vetus line-up of advanced Bow Pro models, the Bow Pro Boosted 385 (BOWB385) and the Bow Pro Boosted 420 (BOWB420) are said to be the most powerful fully proportional brushless thrusters available on the market with 48VDC compatibility.
“Vetus is proud to expand the Bow Pro family to 24 thrusters with the units for 400mm tunnels,” says Thijs Boegheim, director of sales for EMEA at Vetus-Maxwell. “The launch of the BOWB385 and the BOWB420 will make life easier on board for even more boaters, answering demand for powerful, reliable, and efficient bow thrusters which offer built-in safety features and easy integration with 48V platforms.”
The latest models mean Vetus Bow Pro thrusters are now available to owners and operators of larger boats, with installations ideal for vessels from 25m to 40m (82ft to 131ft).
Offering a power output up to 385kgf (BOWB385) and 420kgf (BOWB420) at 48V, Vetus says its two new units feature precision proportional control and that skippers/crew can extensively use their thruster system when docking or manoeuvring without the fear of overuse or overheating issues.
All BOWB units feature an intelligent motor controller with an integrated boost function, charging the bow thruster’s batteries using Vetus’ internal three-stage charging process. This solution enables connection to a 24V power supply to recharge the 48V battery bank to keep the thruster batteries at their optimum level.
The proprietary Vetus motor controller also regulates the maintenance-free brushless induction motors, ensuring the thrusters are very efficient and quiet. Active heat control and a low power consumption give the BOWB thrusters a runtime only limited by the size of the battery pack installed – a unique feature for DC thrusters.
Vetus says installation and maintenance of these thrusters is safe, fast, and easy, with the units integrating with the proprietary Vetus V-CAN system for plug-and-play convenience.
The BOWB 400 series can be used with Vetus’ standard proportional control panels – the BPPPA single thruster paddle panel, the BPPJA single thruster joystick panel with hold-to-dock functionality, and the DBPPJA 360-degree double thruster joystick panel.
As the Bow Pro is V-CAN controlled with CAN-bus protocol operation, the thrusters also offer the opportunity for interaction with other compatible devices such as docking systems.
The launch of the BOWB 400 series follows the introduction of three models in the BOWB 300 series for 300-mm tunnels.
