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PRO™ Variable Speed Control
With the PRO™ variable speed control, you'll get even better performance from your thruster.
- Easier maneuvering: Get variable speed control and increased operational runtime.
- Practical hold function: Keeps the boat safely against the dock while you step off to secure the lines.
- Reduced noise: Enjoy a more comfortable boating experience with reduced noise.
How it works
You’ll be surprised how little power is needed to initiate a spin and keep the boat rotating without engines on a quiet day. Using conventional DC thrusters, offering full power or nothing (on/off), you would have to apply numerous bursts to keep the boat rotating the same way.
On the contrary, with the Sleipner PRO system, you’re able to use a smaller amount of continuous thrust. Not only is this more intuitive for you as a boater, but it also makes for a quieter and more relaxed maneuver. It also helps resolve the issue of not being able to use an electronic thruster for long periods without overheating because you’ll rarely run the thruster on full power.
Longer run-times
When running the thruster at reduced power, the heat development in a DC electric motor is much lower. In most cases, at 50% power or less, you can expect close to continuous run time, only limited by your available power supply.
PRO™ thrusters
Docking and maneuvering in tight spaces just went from stressful to head turning.
View allPin the boat against the dock
The first part of docking is maneuvering alongside the pier safe and smoothly. The second part is staying there until you are tied off.
With a twin system with variable speed control (bow and stern thruster), you also get a practical hold-function, enabling you to set and leave the level of thrust
It’s a feature that short-handed skippers often rely on to pin their boats against the dock while they step off to secure the lines. You can easily adjust the amount of thrust applied depending on the docking conditions.
Moving either of the joysticks in the opposite direction with ‘hold’ applied cancels it, while you can either increase or decrease the thrust in 10 percent increments with a simple +/- switch. Additionally, the bow and stern thruster can be individually synchronized to get a balanced sideways motion, making single-handed docking very easy indeed!
Inside the network
The heart of the Sleipner PRO system is the power control unit (PPC) that digitally chops the voltage and varies the amount of thrust produced.
The brain is the proportional joystick control (PJC). This intelligent LCD panel displays real-time information such as amount and direction of thrust on either thruster, remaining run time, battery status, and temperature. The S-Link™ wiring allows the system to communicate.
Free yourself from the dashboard
You can operate the system remotely for easy short-handed docking by adding a radio remote.
If you are docking alone, you can set your thrusters in hold mode while you put the mooring lines on. Pressing the bow thruster button on the remote will then momentarily increase power and make it tight. You can also shut down the hold function from the remote control.
Take control
Most of Sleipner's 12, 24 and 48V electric thrusters are available in PRO versions with variable speed control. The speed controller improves handling performance while eliminating much of the noise associated with standard on-off thrusters.
- Variable speed control
- Unique hold-function
- Single-handed docking
- Joystick integration
- Extended runtime
- Less noise
Upgrade your thruster system to PRO™
Upgrading your existing thruster system to PRO™ variable speed control is a great way to enhance performance, even for thruster models dating back to 2000.
Sleipner offers comprehensive upgrade kits that include all the necessary parts, allowing the upgrade to be performed while the boat remains in the water.
What's involved in upgrading an exisiting thruster system?
To upgrade your bow and/or stern thruster to PRO™, the following steps must be completed:
1. Upgrade the thruster motor
2. Install PPC unit
3. Install S-Link™ cables
4. Connect the new control panel
Benefits of upgrading:
- Enhanced thrust control: Enjoy the benefits of a speed-controlled system, ensuring sufficient thrust under challenging conditions.
- Quiet operation: Enjoy a more comfortable boating experience with reduced noise.
- Practical hold function: Keeps the boat safely against the dock while you step off to secure the lines
As long as you have a Sleipner (Side-Power) thruster, it is possible to perform an upgrade. This also applies to older models dating back to year 2000. For a detailed walkthrough, watch the video below.
Learn more about PRO™ variable speed control
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Manage the boat alone with the practical hold function
31.5.2024Docking the boat can be challenging, especially if you are alone on board. It requires planning, precision, and often a pair of extra hands. With the hold function, you can rely on your thrusters to keep the boat safely next to the dock, allowing you to moor the boat on your own.
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What is the S-Link™ control system?
2.9.2022S-Link™ is a CAN-based control system used for communication between Sleipner products installed on a vessel. The system uses backbone cables as a common power and communication bus with separate spur cables to each connected unit.
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Five benefits with PRO™ speed control
15.4.2021Thruster systems with speed control have been around for some time now. In this article, we explore the many benefits of a PRO™ thruster system and why it is an upgrade most boat owners should consider.
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