Anchor windless won't work - Help!

L

lambeck4

Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2007
RO Number
27057
Messages
50
Well we have launched for the season and everything is working fine...except the windless. It worked fine all last season. only makes a clicking sound of the relay/control box mounted in the chain locker at the bow. I've checked the main winless breaker, as well as the breaker at the helm. I checked the electrical connections, no corrosion and secure.

We have been using it manually - what a pain! as it's an all chain rode! It's a lamar windless I believe....any help would be great!

Thanks!
 
Hmmm I have one of them...

Well it's clicking so the control switch and wires are OK.

Are you getting voltage across the battery terminals of the relay? If not there's a problem between the relay and the battery.

When someone pushes the switch, do you get voltage at the relay output terminals? If not the relay is bad. If you are, the problem is between the relay and the motor (or the motor itself).

Note: The manual with MY Lewmar says that the relay is NOT weatherproof and NOT to locate it in the chain locker....
 
try releasing the gypsy so it can free wheel and check it again. if the motor is turning you know its a jamb somewhere in your chain. if the motor still does'nt turn, try takeing a battery charger and using it across the relays to see if it does turn, again with the gypsy released. if the motor still does'nt turn you have a problem with the motor on the windlass itself. if it does turn, then the problem is either in the relay or the power supply to the relay. i did omit the first test........lol, check and make sure the breaker for the windlass is on and that your batteries are charged.
 
I will get out the multi-meter and check for voltage while someone hits the switch. The unit is factory installed by Regal, so I hope the relay/control box is weatherproof. I have already removed the gypsy and freed the chain, so I know it's not a "jam".

I sure is difficult to get your head / arms or both in there to work on it!!! I'll do the voltage tests and try using my jump pack directly at the motor, to eliminate that possibility.

Once you have a windless, it's hard to live without it!
 
Correction: Our windlass is not a Lewmar

It is a Lofrans (Maxwell) Marlin Vertical Electric Windlass - if that makes any differance with the troubleshooting advise....
 
You probably tripped the circuit breaker for the high current side of the windlass. Even thou the relay clicks you can still have a tripped breaker as there are 2 different breakers, the control side and the motor side. On my 2860 the second breaker was in the engine room. On my current Regal it is under the saloon stairs.

Not sure where it is on yours thou, sorry.
 
A few weeks ago I had the same problem and I thought I was resetting the breaker but i wasn't. The breaker in the engine room has this little black plastic flag which sticks out from the side of it (can only see it with a flashlight), I had to push the flag in and then reset the breaker. Hopefully your problem is as easy as mine was.
 
Rommer, Regal2860,

I hope it's that easy as well - As far as I know, we only have (2) breakers for the windlass. (1) breaker at the helm, below the windlass in/out toggle switch and (1) with the battery switch, panel in cockpit, with about 8-10 other breakers. I will have to look in the engine room again and look for a breaker with a black flag....is it close to the engine, or near the buss bars on what I would call the "firewall" in front of the aft berth?? The only reset/breaker I saw was mounted in to of the engine (red button)

Thanks for all your help!
 
Cliff & Maria, I have a 2665 and have tripped the breaker on the battery switch, mine is in the upper left hand corner next to the switch, hopefully this will work.
I also have been having trouble with mine see “Windless trouble”
www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=114567.
I have not had a chance to do any of the suggestions, because you are right it is a difficult spot to get to.

Good Luck
Sandy
 
Supsan,

Have you resolved your issue with, not being able to lower your anchor/rode with the switch? I don't believe any of our breakers, have "tripped" - the breakers I know of anyway. The 2nd breaker I was referring to, is on the panel with the "main" battery switch ie: off, 1,2 or both, that controls all of the boats 12 volt power. I really hope/think there must be a 3rd breaker somewhere, as the windlass was working fine and it did'nt quit while it was being used, under strain, etc. - I may give Regal a call and seek their advice, if the above suggestions don't pan out. thanks!
 
Just looked at the wiring diagram for your boat and noticed that the windlass will not work if the battery switch is turned to off so check that as well. Looks like you have a 60amp main breaker for the windlass.
 
Rommer,

Does the wiring diagram indicate how many breakers are installed? and their locations? I have changed the battery switch from both & position 1 and 2, thinking that maybe the windlass is wired from only 1 of the 2 batteries - relay/control "clicks" in all 3 positions (not OFF position) Thanks for your help!
 
Here are photo's of breakers for our boat. Still looking!
0528081206.jpg

0528081207.jpg

0528081258.jpg
 
Cliff and Maria,

I had a similiar issue with the windless on our 3360. As Rommer mentioned, make sure all your batteries switches are in the on postion (house and engine). If neither or just one is on all you will get is a clicking sound from the windless. The windless needs plenty of current to run. Good luck
 
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