A bow or stern thruster contactor controls the electrical supply to the thruster motor. When replacing a solenoid, match the equipment manufacturer's specified assembly and its complete Albright part number. DC88, DC182 and SW182 are motor-reversing types, but their names do not prove compatibility with a particular thruster.
Albright contactors in marine equipment
Albright identifies bow thrusters among its marine applications. Its marine guidance also covers windlasses, anchor winches, capstans and hydraulic power packs. A stern-thruster replacement should be checked against the stern unit's own documentation; bow-thruster suitability cannot be transferred automatically.
DC88, DC182 and SW182: useful distinctions
| Type | Manufacturer thermal current rating | Selection point |
|---|---|---|
| DC88 | 100 A interrupted / 100 A uninterrupted | Monoblock motor-reversing assembly |
| DC182 | 150 A interrupted / 150 A uninterrupted | Monoblock motor-reversing assembly with different capacity and configuration options |
| SW182 | 150 A interrupted / 150 A uninterrupted | Motor-reversing arrangement; Albright cautions that normally closed contacts are not suitable for making and breaking load |
These are manufacturer type-level thermal ratings, not universal thruster switching limits. They do not establish a drop-in replacement. Read the exact variant's datasheet and the equipment wiring diagram.
Before ordering a 12 V or 24 V thruster solenoid
- Read the complete number on the existing contactor, including letters and the number after the hyphen.
- Confirm the coil supply voltage separately from the motor-power circuit voltage.
- Check the motor wiring, terminal positions, control connections, suppression and polarity requirements.
- Confirm coil energisation time and motor duty, including repeated manoeuvres.
- Check sealing, mounting orientation, bracket dimensions and enclosure conditions.
Find the appropriate collection
Browse marine solenoids for equipment-focused listings, and Albright contactors for the wider range. A listing's model references must be checked against the equipment manual and original part number before purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Is DC182 a direct replacement for DC88?
No interchangeability should be assumed. Current capacity is only one requirement; terminals, coil characteristics, circuit arrangement and installation also matter.
Are all P variants equally sealed?
No. Albright lists DC88P as IP66 and DC182P as IP67. Verify the exact product rather than assigning one protection level to every P variant.
What information should I send for help?
Send the thruster make and model, original part number, clear label and terminal photographs, system voltage and wiring diagram to OEM Nordic.
Manufacturer references
Technical sources checked 11 October 2026. Verify the current datasheet for the complete ordered part number.
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