Windlass wiring Carver 325?

L

loonies

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Oct 29, 2007
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28871
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Hi everyone,

I'm just in the process of installing a windlass on my Carver 325. Would anyone know where the factory would normally route the wires from the windlass back to the batteries and panel? At the moment it feels like a bit of a nightmare trying to figure out the best route!

John
 
I have a factory installed windlass on my 1995 325.

If I recall, there is a wiring tube that you can see under the front seat at the v-berth. This tube looks more of like a 1 1/2" sanitation hose that goes from the anchor locker and follows the keel down.

I would think that even without a windlass that tube would be there as if I also recall, the Port/Stbd nav light wiring goes through there as well. But I am not at the boat right now so I cannot look-see for sure.

From there it appears the tube runs along the keel into the engine room. I could never find the outlet of the tube in the engine room however, as its likely hidden behind the holding tank.

If you have a fish tape, you can probably run it down the tube until you see it come out in the engine room (or hear where it bangs into the holding tank).

The main breaker for the windlass is in the battery switching panel under the bottom step. Of course, once you get into the engine room, you have multiple paths to the battery switching panel.
 
Thanks, I was wondering what that tube was for! On mine it seems to end just below the anchor locker behind a small panel, which I haven't tried removing as yet. It doesn't end inside the locker. I guess I'll have to either drill through the bottom of the locker to run the wires through and seal it afterwards somehow or try to route the wires up and around the interior panels and get into the locker from higher up.

John
 
I just tried removing the panel and unfortunately it seems to be purely cosmetic and doesn't provide access to the end of the tube. The way it looks I would have to tear half the dinette area apart to get at it. Al is this the case on your boat too?

John
 
I opened my forward hatch into the anchor locker and took this photo. The photo is from inside the anchor locker looking out towards the forward berth (the blue fender in the photo is laying on the coaming around the berth).

The tube is glassed in to the backside of the bulkhead on the starboard side.

windlass.jpg


Remember that this is a factory install, so I don't know what they do when this option is not ordered.

Here is a crude drawing of where the tube is located.

windlass1.jpg


I am sure that some of the smaller wires are for the nav lights, so I would think your boat would have that tube as well - especially if you can see the tube in the storage compartment under the forward front berth seat.
 
Wow that is fantastic help! After seeing your image I went back into the locker (with a light this time) and checked a lot more carefully. I must have missed it somehow as I was focused on finding wires somewhere in there when I was poking around. Maybe I need better glasses! Thanks again!

John
 
Sorry forgot to mention. Mine doesn't have any wires coming out of it so I would assume the other wires you have may be something besides the navigation lights.

John
 
Hello all:

Thanks so much for the posting. The photo and drawing was invaluable- I appreciate the time spent on this illustration. I am also installing a windless, and was making a plan to take the starboard side of the boat apart- you saved me.

I have a cut out and label for a windless breaker under the front step, but the switching panel seems stuck, and cannot be pulled out entirely. The panel fits into a wooden base, with 4 screws at each corner.

1. You mention "multiple paths to the switching panel" from the engine room. Can you provide more detail, or make a suggestion for wire routing?

2. How do you gain access to the switching panel?

3. Where did you mount the contactor relay for the windless?

Thanks and regards-

Bill

"Cooperative Spirit"
1998 Carver 325

Post Script: The other wires that exit the tube at the bow may be for the searchlight.
 
The contactor for the windlass is located near the windlass in the anchor locker. They are not particularly waterproof, so I'd suggest mounting it in an area near the top (perhaps the underside of the deck), where getting wet will be minimized.
 
I'm still at this as well, I had to wait for a contactor to arrive. I also tried to remove the panel under the steps and had the same problem. I'm assuming you have to remove the 4 screws and the piano hinge holding the step in place and remove the panel with the wood it's mounted in. I am going to route the wires and contactor under the starboard deck. I gained access by removing the panel at the foot of the single bed. As far as I can tell this should also provide access to route the wires for the contactor up to the flybridge.

John
 
I have stuffed so much wiring in that area (behind the velcro panel) that my boat lists.
 
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