Lofran windlass won't lower, always raises

[src]

Been doing a lot of cleaning and learning on the new 310, and decided to try the windlass today (Lofran Progress I). I knew ahead of time that the foot switches were flakey (surveyor said so), but was told that it operated normally from the dash switch. However, today I found that no matter which way I engaged the switch, the windlass tried to raise the anchor. Here is the switch on the dash:



As I understand it, if I push the rocker up and engage the toggle, the windlass should drop the anchor, and if I push the rocker down and hit the toggle it should raise anchor. For me, both directions on the rocker raise the anchor. I disengaged the clutch and dropped the anchor manually, and it did raise fine, but I just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions on how to approach this problem. Or maybe just tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Thanks!

 

[Alegria]

Don't have the exact same set up as you. But on ours the switch labeled main just engages a solenoid to power up the Windlass. Then the switch to the right controls the up and down of the Windlass no need to press the main rocker switch at all.

 

[src]

On mine, the rocker switch engages the solenoid (I hear it in the breaker panel, and the light on the rocker turns on), and the toggle switch is spring loaded, with just the on and off (no center position).

 

[Danny Troy]

I would pull the switch out, and check it's operation with an ohm meter. It could be the contacts are good in only one direction. If you are real lucky you might be able to disassemble the switch and clean the contacts.

As far as the foot switches, I had a problem with the windlass down foot switch working erratically. It was an easy fix. The rubber was compressing when stepping on it, and wouldn't push the metal button far enough in for it to engage the switch. I simple added a 1/4" piece of 1/4" rod (actually cut from a bolt) into the rubber switch hole. I guess the rubber wears out after time, and this will probably happen on my up switch also. Anyway, it's 100% now, and it was a no-cost repair, which are always nice!

 

[src]

I would pull the switch out, and check it's operation with an ohm meter. It could be the contacts are good in only one direction. If you are real lucky you might be able to disassemble the switch and clean the contacts.

As far as the foot switches, I had a problem with the windlass down foot switch working erratically. It was an easy fix. The rubber was compressing when stepping on it, and wouldn't push the metal button far enough in for it to engage the switch. I simple added a 1/4" piece of 1/4" rod (actually cut from a bolt) into the rubber switch hole. I guess the rubber wears out after time, and this will probably happen on my up switch also. Anyway, it's 100% now, and it was a no-cost repair, which are always nice!

I'll check on that. It is just the down foot-switch that doesn't work - the up works. I've just got too much "up" at the moment. If I could get the down foot-switch working, I'd be off to a pretty good start.

 

[Henry Boyd]

One direction on the windlass may be the result of burned contacts in the controller box, or one of the posts has gone bad on the motor.
Henry

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