Once you realize how having an ezDrive™ thruster installed on your boat will make your time out on the water less stressful for you, not to mention more enjoyable and safer for everyone on board, it’s important to learn how to take care of your thruster by using it properly and maintaining it. This way, you can ensure that your ezDrive thruster lasts for many years. In fact, we have some customers who are still using our thrusters over 15 years after purchasing them!
First, let’s talk about taking care of your thruster by ensuring you are using it properly. The user manual included with your thruster is a great guide, giving you step-by-step instructions on how to properly care for and use your thruster. Some helpful tips listed in the user guide are:
- Checking that the batteries onboard your boat are fully charged, free from corrosion, and in good operating condition.
- Making sure that the thruster propeller is not being obstructed by anything, such as debris, marine growth, or any other buildup that could prevent your thruster from moving freely.
- Ensuring that all the bolts securing your power flow nozzles to the tunnel ends are tight.
- Inspect your iBox (central control unit) regularly. If any corrosion is present inside the iBox, clean and apply a corrosion prevention product such as Dielectric Grease or Corrosion Inhibitor.
- Practice using your thruster in open water without any obstructions while you get familiar with the controls and operation of your thruster.
- Do not allow ezDrive™ to run for more than 5 seconds when not immersed in water! The thrusters rely on water flow to keep them from overheating and water resistance to keep the motors from over accelerating to a damaging RPM.
- When in the water, ezDrive™ Thrusters have a continuous runtime of up to 7 to 10 minutes depending on the water temperature. Afterwards the overheat protection may be activated which will cause the thruster to stop. The thruster will need to cool down before operation can resume.
- Important to note that the thruster should be used only as intended for corrective maneuvers and spinning the boat to pick up fallen riders. Misuse of the thruster can cause unnecessary wear and tear on internal components which can shorten the lifespan of your equipment. Avoid any of those “Hold My Beer” moments!
When it comes to maintaining your ezDrive™ thruster, although it’s designed to be relatively maintenance free, these various tips and recommendations listed in the user guide, will help to ensure that your thruster lasts for many years. Routine inspections of your unit and electrical system are important and will allow you to get the best performance when using your thruster.
If you ever have any problems with your ezDrive™ Thruster, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for assistance. And, remember the ezDrive™ comes standard with a 2 year limited manufacturer’s warranty. However, to be eligible for the ezDrive™ warranty, your thruster must be registered within 30 days of installation.