Good Windlass Stopped Working

D

dwarren

Member
exMember
Joined
Jul 8, 2004
RO Number
14233
Messages
461
Only used this windlass once (very slow, no chain). Don't recall model but it's the old style (1984) for my 37 Silverton. I can hear a clicking at the solenoid but not too familiar with how these are set up. Seems like two separate solenoids and a single motor. Any ideas? I had this exact model and year with other boat and it worked forever.
 
I've had issues with mine as well and have called them and they have helped me over the phone and on what to check. Great folks. But be patient if they don't answer the phone, they stay busy all the time. Leave a message and they will return your call. Good luck.

(609) 698-4402
 
Dead battery or frozen shaft is where i would look first.
 
Frozen shaft would trip the breaker.

Start wit th basics... check for power in and out of the solenoids and at the windlass terminals. Most likely corroded wires, terminals or solenoid
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

Frozen shaft would trip the breaker.

Start wit th basics... check for power in and out of the solenoids and at the windlass terminals. Most likely corroded wires, terminals or solenoid

Click to expand...

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know where the breaker is for the unit. I'll check all terminals first and see if I can locate a breaker. There isn't one on the panel.
 
Main windlass breaker usually is between the batteries and the windlass. Could be close to the main battery switch
 
Many times the breaker is in the same area as the battery selector switches
 
That's where my breaker is. Next to the battery selector switch.
 
The breaker on our boat was in the anchor locker with the switches. It could also be that the motor needs to be jogged a bit because of a corroded commutator etc.. Try tapping the motor with a hammer as well if there is voltage getting to the motor.
 
That's where it I started on mine (anochor locker) but that was in the old days... nowadays abyc recommends having it within 6' of the batteries to protect the wiring
 
I followed cables direct to one of the four batteries. I'm going to install a breaker at some later time. Problem solved, I think eventually I'll have to pull the motor and clean the brushes but a few taps with a rubber mallet and it's free again. The neg terminal needed to be re-crimped too. This is one of the slowest windlasses I've ever had.....I mean sloooooowwww.....
 
Consider checking all of the crimps and connections as well as the wiring. It could be voltage is getting chewed up along the way due to bad connections or inadequate wire size?
Weak batteries could also be contributing to a slow windlass. Is it slow without a load on it or going down as well as when hauling up?
 
dont bother cleaning motor i tried that bought me a few months replace new motor is faster speed still slow but better
 
Update, removed all connections, re cripmed and cleaned. Working "good" now.
 
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