Video: Vetus Maxwell chief on DC-to-DC charging innovation for electric thrusters

In this interview, Art Hill is joined by Chris DeBoy, CEO of Vetus Maxwell USA, to discuss Vetus’ latest innovations, including its new DC-to-DC charging solution designed for electric thrusters. This three-stage technology ensures vessels using Dynamic Positioning Systems (DPS) can maintain charge without relying on the engine, helping reduce emissions.

Filmed at the 2024 International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) in Tampa, Florida, the conversation — which can be viewed in the video above — sheds light on the wider future of electric propulsion and its role in improving maritime operations.

DeBoy begins by highlighting Vetus Maxwell’s focus on “designing products with the customer in mind.” He explains how the company’s innovations, such as bow thrusters and windlasses, aim to simplify traditionally stressful aspects of boating, like docking and anchoring. These features are designed to reduce stress for captains and improve the reliability and ease of operation, particularly when integrated with onboard control systems like joysticks.

DeBoy recalls how Vetus Maxwell’s proportional bow thrusters, introduced in 2018, were the industry’s first to offer proportional control using a CAN interface. This allows operators to adjust the speed of the thruster and connect it to joystick systems, which are particularly useful in docking situations. He explained how this system integrates with major outboard manufacturers, including Mercury, Yamaha, and now Honda, to make docking and station-keeping much easier.

DeBoy describes Vetus Maxwell’s newly patented DC-to-DC charging system as an industry first. This system not only powers the thruster but also provides a three-stage charging capability for the thruster’s battery bank. “Our motor controller can be connected to one of the batteries from the engine, and we do a DC-to-DC conversion,” DeBoy says. This allows for continuous operation of the thruster, particularly important in vessels equipped with dynamic positioning systems (DPS), where maintaining battery capacity is critical.

“With the new charging technology, we’re able to charge back at the same time we’re pulling energy out,” says DeBoy, says the tech effectively offers an unlimited runtime solution for electric propulsion systems.

Beyond these technical advancements, DeBoy also underscores Vetus Maxwell’s commitment to customer service, which he describes as one of the best in the industry.

“We have the engineering and the customer support to provide complete care for our customers, whether it be the boat builder, the dealer, installer, or boat owner.”

With electrification becoming increasingly critical in the marine industry, Vetus Maxwell’s innovative solutions appear to position them as key players in the shift toward greener and more efficient boating technologies.