lofran elec. windlass won't work or turn by hand

[yeager bomb]

2005 sea ray 280 sundancer, twin 4.3s lofran windlass with helm and foot controls. windlass won't work from either location. i can hear clicking in the rope locker. when i loosen the clutch manually the anchor rope will go out. but with the clutch tightened, the windlass is locked up and won't move at all. any suggestions? thanks, mike

 

[Henry Boyd]

Mike,

Read the thread 'Windlass problem on 280 DA" from this search link:

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11137&highlight=lofrans

The clicking you are hearing may be the control box. That is a basically a relay that operates the motor. But save yourself some time and contact Imtra (imtra.com). They are the US importer for Lofrans. Best to telephone them as the customer service people are great, and while their website is ok, they actually stock a much broader array of parts. They can also help you diagnose the problem fast and accurately.

The control box on your boat is located directly under the anchor locker hatch on the forward side of the bulkhead that separates the cabin from the anchor locker.

Henry

 

[yeager bomb]

thanks for the reply. i was wondering if the clutch can freeze up or if the motor can. mike

 

[yeager bomb]

thanks for the reply. i was wondering if the clutch can lock up or maybe the motor. any thoughts?

 

[Henry Boyd]

The gypsy clutch disengages the gypsy from the shaft. The only way it can spin by hand is when the clutch is disengaged.

The motor is at 90 degrees to the gypsy shaft and works through a worm gear reduction. It only works one way.

That being said it is possible that there is a mechanical jam, it is also possible that the motor is shot, it is also possible that the control box relay contacts are burned out, and a bunch of other things as well. The Imtra folks can give you the best direction on troubleshooting. The thing is working on the windlass on a 280 is a major PITA. I've done it and literally have the scars to prove it. Having some experienced input that give you an educated guess on where to start will hopefulyl save you from spending needless hours R&Ring a part that isn't the problem. I learned the hard way. I pulled the motor out without talking to them and discovered it was fine. That mistake wasted the better part of a day.

Henry

 

[yeager bomb]

thanks again! i will call them next week. mike

 

[Henry Boyd]

Mike,

Have you checked all of the breakers? In the engine compartment there is a breaker on the port side EIM (low current side of the system). There is also an inline breaker on the high current circuit. The following picture show the 40a breaker and the solenoid on the port side forward of the EIM. The low currrent windlass breaker is on the top row of the EIM second in from the left.

Henry