Windlass problem

[Thomas Molin]

Hi, Neither of my foot switches at the bow works and I searched the forum for an answer. What I found out was that there should be a 5 amp fuse in the anchor locker, but I just can´t find it.

Anyone who can support me with more specific information about where to look? Can it be located somewhere else? I think I have searched the locker really carefully...

It is a Lofrans 1000 W, installed from when the boat was new 1997.

Thanks a lot!

Thomas

 

[boatmailster]

does windlass work with helm switch? If yes - replace foot switches, if no - look for windlass breaker inside bilge, or bad solenoid in rope locker, or bad windlass motor.

 

[Asureyez]

Does the windless work from the helm switch?

you may have damaged wire lugs at the windlass motor or the three way switch (also in the anchor locker) that allos the use of foot switch or windlass toggle.

 

[Thomas Molin]

Yes, it works from the helm switch. I read in another thread that there should be a fuse for the foot switches somewhere that seemed like a possible reason since none of the foot switches works? I don´t think I have a three way switch in the anchor locker. Not visible anyway?

 

[Asureyez]

The foot switch leads go to this black box. Has there been any work performed in the anchor locker that could have disturbed/broke a lead?

As ther eis a helm switch and a foot switch, there is a three way switch, it's a box affair and the power leads to the windlass run to it. Any fuse may be there as well.

 

[Henry Boyd]

On the 2002 Lofrans Marlin set up the fuse you are looking for is in an inline holder attached to the controller (that is the black box Chad was referring to).

Here is a picture of where it was located on our 280. The fuse holder is the little square thing at the top of the pic.

Henry

 

[Presentation]

On the 2002 Lofrans Marlin set up the fuse you are looking for is in an inline holder attached to the controller (that is the black box Chad was referring to).

Here is a picture of where it was located on our 280. The fuse holder is the little square thing at the top of the pic.

Henry

Henry,

Great advice and thank you for posting the picture.

I have never had my windlass foot switch fuse blow but if my foot switches ever stop working now I know exactly where to look.

It seems like fixing things is 99% figuring out what to do and 1% doing it. When this happens to me you just saved me 99% of the effort.

Thank you and keep up the excellent contributions to the forum!

 

[Thomas Molin]

Thank you very much Henry, Now I know what to look for and that will probably solve the problem. There are not that many people here in Sweden that knows that much of Sea Ray setups as in this forum. I definatley agree with "Presentation". My wife always wonders what I am doing in the boat for 10 hours during a saturday without leaving the dock. Most of that time is just for figuring out what to do.

Thanks a lot for the picture. That saved me several hours.
//Thomas

 

[limitedwave@gmail.com]

Last weekend my anchor got stuck and the windlass tripped out (Marlin). It looked like the breaker switch on the dash wasn't lighting afterwards. Neither controls function. Thoughts on where to look first this weekend?

 

[ajnader]

I have a similar problem. My windlass does not work. The light on the panel is on but when you press the switch you can hear a click on the front but the motor does not work. I already checked the breaker inside the engine compartment and is good. I notice there is no power coming to the solenoid switch located at front, this power is supposed to come from a magnetic solenoid located in the engine compartment next to the 40 amp breaker. There is power (12.5 volts) going in to the solenoid but no power going out. This solenoid has two 5 amp fuses and both are fine. I bridged the 2 wires at front of the solenoid and there is still no power going out to the control box at front. Does thsi mean I have a bad solenoid?

 

[boatmailster]

I have a similar problem. My windlass does not work. The light on the panel is on but when you press the switch you can hear a click on the front but the motor does not work. I already checked the breaker inside the engine compartment and is good. I notice there is no power coming to the solenoid switch located at front, this power is supposed to come from a magnetic solenoid located in the engine compartment next to the 40 amp breaker. There is power (12.5 volts) going in to the solenoid but no power going out. This solenoid has two 5 amp fuses and both are fine. I bridged the 2 wires at front of the solenoid and there is still no power going out to the control box at front. Does thsi mean I have a bad solenoid?

to make sure connect together both heavy red wires on solenoid, if windlass works - replace latching solenoid

 

[ajnader]

Problem fixed. replaced the latching solenoid (next to the breaker) and anchor works perfect now.

 

[kevinnice]

i dont know what age your boat is ajnadar (mabe you can add that to your signature). but if you search the general maintenence forum you will find lots of help on this problem.

i had a similar problem recently and the cause turned out to be oxidised wiring inside the windlass cavity. my boat is 96. if yours has a few years on it then that may be your answer too.

its fairly easy to run bypass cables between foot switches and contgrol box to test them out. i can tell you that defective cables up front will prevent the helm controls from working too in somee cases.

the windlass cavity is necessarily permanently damp (assuming you use your anchor), so the oxidisation isnt surprising over time.

 

[trade wins]

My windlass seems to work about 25% of the time, it jams in the up or deployed position. I have to maunually pull the anchor chain will pressing the up or down switch before it will work. ( the motor makes no sound when it goes out) This happens when retrieving or lowering anchor (helm or foot switch) and almost always in crowded anchorage. Anybody have a clue what problem could be?

 

[manfredr]

sounds like a bad solenoid in the anchor locker (little black box close to the windlass motor)