Adding a bow thruster to an IP420

Our IP420 doesn't have a bow thruster, so we're planning to add one.

I believe the original IP installed thrusters were SidePower 6HP models, taking power from the house battery bank. Can anyone confirm that?

I've generally gotten the advice to co-locate the battery with the thruster, and there does seem to be enough space under the forward shower seat for both thruster and battery. Does anyone else have their battery there?

And any other advice, suggestions, warnings, etc.?

Thanks!

Our IP 420 had a bow thruster on it when we bought it. Not sure whether or not it was factory or dealer installed. It is a side-power 6hp. We do not have a battery co-located with it in it's compartment. Back in the spring we had ours serviced and replaced the brushes, but when we checked the voltage there really wasn't any power loss to the thruster from the factory installed battery bank. We did expand our bank from 4 to 6 based on our liveaboard cruising and don't see any need to go to the expense of adding another dedicated battery at the thruster. We use our thruster often when docking and since we replaced the brushes have not had any issues with diminished power. It is important to keep the unit serviced and use it appropriately in short bursts. It really does provide a lot of power for docking. One of my favorite moves is to get off a dock with the wind pushing us on by turning into the dock but using the BT to take the bow into the wind which results in the boat sliding off the dock into the wind. So, I've heard the comments about putting a battery forward with the unit but I don't see the need for it.Let me know if you have any other questions or need any additional information.