I have recently been dealing with a hypersensitive windless breaker. If I retrieve after paying out too quickly, it trips. Sometimes there is mud on the anchor and I drop it back in to wash off the mud, then retrieve it. I see how this can overload the circuit, but its not like I'm quickly reversing while its on full-speed in the opposite direction. It seems the episodes are becoming more frequent and the breaker more sensitive. It even happens with no load, reversing with a slack chain. I don't think it ever happened while retrieving, even under load. I try to idle up to the anchor when retrieving anyway. It is possible the breaker is getting weak? What a PITA, because the breaker is inside a waterproof panel with 4 Phillips head screws holding it shut. The worst part is that it could potentially cause a grounding if the breaker trips when the anchor is not holding on the bottom or dangling 10 feet under the boat. One time I had to retrieve with the hand crank, because I had no time to mess with opening the panel in a windy, tight anchorage.
Windlass breaker trips often
- Thread starter JV II
- Start date
bahamabreisus
Well-Known Member
- Oct 25, 2007
- 2,557
- Boat Info
- 370 dancer, previous 500,420,390,300 dancers
- Engines
- 454 CI MPI
I think I would start with replacing the breaker. That seems to be the least expensive route.
Alex F
Well-Known Member
- Nov 14, 2006
- 9,166
- Boat Info
- 2005 420DB with AB 11 DLX Tender, Raymarine Electronics (2x12" MFDs) with Vesper AIS
- Engines
- Cummins 450Cs, 9KW Onan Generator, 40HP Yamaha for tender.
That would be my step #1 as well. Breakers do become weaker over time. Let's hope it's your case, Mike.
jthatcher
Member
Not the first thing I would look at. Check that all the connections are tight and clean. Sounds like you have a high resistance building due to the above. Free first step in troubleshooting.
KC_Sundancer
Active Member
- Sep 8, 2009
- 1,341
- Boat Info
- 1985 270DA Sundancer,Simrad 4G Radar,Lowrance Gen2 GPS/Sonar/Structure Scan,F350 7.3l Diesel, tri-ax
- Engines
- twin Mercruiser 185R's (v6's) w/SE106 drives, "High Five" stainless props, Mercury 280 RIB w/9.9 Mer
I had a similar issue that stuck around even after cleaning all connections.
Problem went away when I replaced my three batteries.
Problem went away when I replaced my three batteries.
Alex F
Well-Known Member
- Nov 14, 2006
- 9,166
- Boat Info
- 2005 420DB with AB 11 DLX Tender, Raymarine Electronics (2x12" MFDs) with Vesper AIS
- Engines
- Cummins 450Cs, 9KW Onan Generator, 40HP Yamaha for tender.
You got me puzzled there. How can a low battery trip a breaker?
If the system in good condition (breakers/connections/windlass itself, etc.) then the most common way to trip the breaker is by skipping a PAUSE between your deployment and retrieval operation.
For example, if you retrieving the anchor and see the chain is dirty, you click DOWN too fast.....you most likely will trip the breaker. You need to PAUSE for few seconds. The second and most common way is constant load. During retrieval, I see a lot of people just keep there figure on the UP position, putting constant load on the windlass. Besides overloading and shortening the life of your windlass, you at the high risk of tripping the breaker due to the overloading.
The proper way is to raise the hook in increments. Hold UP for 15 seconds or so, then let it go. Hold another 15 seconds and let it go. In calm conditions, let the momentum of the boat moving forward release the pressure. If there's a mild or strong wind, you'll have to assist with the engines and keep the boat moving forward.
Last edited:
BlueYonder
Active Member
Low voltage causes the motor to require more current. This causes the breaker to trip.
KC_Sundancer
Active Member
- Sep 8, 2009
- 1,341
- Boat Info
- 1985 270DA Sundancer,Simrad 4G Radar,Lowrance Gen2 GPS/Sonar/Structure Scan,F350 7.3l Diesel, tri-ax
- Engines
- twin Mercruiser 185R's (v6's) w/SE106 drives, "High Five" stainless props, Mercury 280 RIB w/9.9 Mer
thanks BlueYonder - that's what I was going to respond with regarding the new battery solution in my case.
There should be a relay module near the windlass which runs the windlass in or out. This configuration should not trip a breaker when reversed unless the motor is still spinning. This is like the breaker on my boat:
https://www.waytekwire.com/item/48861/50A-Series-19-Circuit-Breaker/
https://www.waytekwire.com/item/48861/50A-Series-19-Circuit-Breaker/
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Alex F
Well-Known Member
- Nov 14, 2006
- 9,166
- Boat Info
- 2005 420DB with AB 11 DLX Tender, Raymarine Electronics (2x12" MFDs) with Vesper AIS
- Engines
- Cummins 450Cs, 9KW Onan Generator, 40HP Yamaha for tender.
I'm totally with you on this, Tom. And thanks for clarification.
A good example when I was helping a friend to troubleshoot loss of thrusters. We measured the voltage at the bow thruster and it showed 29VDC (it's 24VDC system), but the solenoids wouldn't even try to engage due to simply lack of AMPs. Guess what was the cause? As soon as we turned off the battery charger we could clearly confirm that all thrusters batteries were shut. All breakers were just fine completing the circuit.
I can confirm that at least on my boat (and the same should apply to most SRs) that there's a solenoid for the windlass.
