Windlass Problems

F

foxyc

New Member
Jul 28, 2010
36
Vancouver Island
Boat Info
2001 Sundancer 310 DA
Engines
Twin 454 Mercruisers EFI w/Bravo III Drives
Please help. Dropped hook the other day, enjoyed the 35 degree weather.... Went to leave and my windlass stopped working. Out of pure frustration.. I opened the access panel beside the winch and gave it a good wrap with the handle while my wife held the switch and it started working. This leads me to believe that maybe there is a solenoid to replace?? Also I'm a little confused about the switch for the windlass. I have one rocker switch that says "main windlass" and beside that is a toggle switch that you lift up and push or pull depending on which way you want to go. What does the rocker switch do?
Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
Thanks in advance
 
One switch engages the latching solinoid that turns the power on to the windless... The other is up/down switch... I would chech your wire connections first...
 
foxyc said:
Please help. Dropped hook the other day, enjoyed the 35 degree weather.... Went to leave and my windlass stopped working. Out of pure frustration.. I opened the access panel beside the winch and gave it a good wrap with the handle while my wife held the switch and it started working. This leads me to believe that maybe there is a solenoid to replace?? Also I'm a little confused about the switch for the windlass. I have one rocker switch that says "main windlass" and beside that is a toggle switch that you lift up and push or pull depending on which way you want to go. What does the rocker switch do?
Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Not sure what model windlass you have but on my boat the latching solenoid is in the bilge. The only thing in the Anchor locker is the Windlass itself and the windlass control box. I could tell mine has seen water which I am sure could lead to it acting problematic over time. If you have a similiar setup it may be the control box if you indeed have one in that location. In my owners manual there is a wiring diagram just for the windlass- yours may have the same.

Jason
 
Sounds like a possibility of the windlass control box (approx. $100.00) and or wire connections in the chain locker (where the control box is located) I would check all of the wire connections first before spending at least $100 bucks on the control box. On my boat the solenoid is in the E.R. with a 5 amp blade fuse and when it blows you will know it....
 
It is a lewmar. The rocker switch doesn't seem to anything. It is more like a rocker switch that always stays in the middle. Meaning you push the top of the switch and moves.. but when you let it go, it goes back to the middle. Any other suggestions??
 
I made a mistake... It's not a lewmar.. It's a lofrans. I tried all the easy stuff today.. Tightened all the wire connections etc.... I can't get the foot switches to work either. When the windlass stops working.. The switch on the dash still makes the motor click up front, but there is nothing when I push the foot pedals on the bow. Is there a main breaker somewhere on the 2001 31 DA?? I took the foot switch off and there is no power to it.. Which makes me think that there must be a main switch somewhere??
Please help..It's 36 degrees today and I want to drop the hook!!

Thanks

Bryan
 
Your problem is the "main" switch that turns on the solenoid. You push it up and you should hear the solenoid "click" which is connecting the power to the windlass. If you do not hear a click from the solenoid when you use the main switch (it should audibly click when you push it on and also when you push it off) then my guess is the switch is faulty, You can disassemble the switch easily and clean the contacts (watch for parts as you disassemble it, there are springs and pivoting contacts that you don't want to drop or lose. Worst case, you will need to replace the switch.
 
So... I the motor does click with the switch on the dash. The motor does not click when I try to use the foot switch.
 
Do you have a main switch? Does the "latching" solenoid (either under the dash or in the bilge) click when you push it on and also when you push it off? Even if the solenoid (or the main switch) is not working, you will still hear the solenoid in the anchor locker clicking when you use the windlass up and down switch, but it may not be getting power through the main power feeds controlled by the latching solenoid.
 
I have no idea what a latching solenoid is. The only switch I have found.. Is the one on the dash. There is a rocker switch and a toggle. It says "main windlass control". I have no idea what the rocker switch does. It does not matter if I push it up or down while using the toggle. The type of toggle is one that you have to lift first... then move forward or back. My biggest problem is that it seems to be very intermintent. I can drop the anchor (sometimes) and as long as you don't let go of the toggle, it will keep working. If we hold the toggle one way or the other and bang the motor in the hatch... It works.
??I'm at a loss as to what to replace??

Bryan
 
So.....
I took the windlass motor off the solenoid in the anchor locker today and took it to a local electronic repair place. They took it all apart and said I had 95% brushes left but they were seized in their tracks! They took the whole thing apart... sandblasted it, repainted it and freed up the brushes. The guy there said I should fabricate some kind of shield to stop the salt water that runs off the chain from hitting it. Good Idea?? Any suggestions on what or how to make some kind of shield??
Thoughts??
Bryan
 
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