Windlass solenoid?

[mvoellinger]

Boat is a 2003 360 Sundancer. Once the windlass is energized, it works great, until you let off the controls. Then it will refuse to move. Power cycling etc does nothing - just has to sit for awhile. Is this the solenoid going on it and getting too hot? This happens even when letting it out with slack in the rode, when its not under strain.

 

[BryanOnTheBay]

Boat is a 2003 360 Sundancer. Once the windlass is energized, it works great, until you let off the controls. Then it will refuse to move. Power cycling etc does nothing - just has to sit for awhile. Is this the solenoid going on it and getting too hot? This happens even when letting it out with slack in the rode, when its not under strain.

Some windlasses have a thermal cutoff switch in the motor. You could be having a problem related to that. If you have one, you will see two small gauge wires that come off the motor and break the power circuit for the contactor box.

Bryan