windlass troubles!!

ds480

ds480

New Member
Sep 17, 2007
15
Nashville, TN
hey guys...i have a 06' 340...first trip out this season windlass worked fine saturday, next day nothing...the light on the dash will not light up...check all breakers (one under wheel, one in bilge and another breaker in the bilge) all seem to be good)... i then turn off main breakers and back on and light on dash come on but as soon as i push up or down it goes off, also if i go to manuel foot pedals it goes off when pedal is pushed and then comes back on, but if i push button at helm i have to turn all power off to get green light back on. i havent taken the windless out and battery tested it yet, just wondering if i am missing something before i do,.. also i do hear clicking in the engine compartment when someone pushs the buttons at the helm
 
ds480 said:
hey guys...i have a 06' 340...first trip out this season windlass worked fine saturday, next day nothing...the light on the dash will not light up...check all breakers (one under wheel, one in bilge and another breaker in the bilge) all seem to be good)... i then turn off main breakers and back on and light on dash come on but as soon as i push up or down it goes off, also if i go to manuel foot pedals it goes off when pedal is pushed and then comes back on, but if i push button at helm i have to turn all power off to get green light back on. i havent taken the windless out and battery tested it yet, just wondering if i am missing something before i do,.. also i do hear clicking in the engine compartment when someone pushs the buttons at the helm
Click to expand...

Is the breaker tripping when you hit the switch? If so, it could be that the anchor line is jammed and the breaker is tripping to protect the motor.
 
Mine clicks in the bilge too when you first turn it on...
In addition to the above...if that doesn't solve it..Check the wiring connections in the anchor locker to make certain they are tight.
 
On mine, one of the posts broke off inside the unit. I had a generator shop fix it and one other post for $75. I took it to them.
 
ds480,

I had the same problem last winter. Turned out to be a loose ground. Though it took the shop 2 hours to find the loose ground, I was glad not to have to replace the windlass (again).
 
Same problem here and multiple calls to IMTREX. Technician there says many time it is a battery causing the problem - old battery not able to hold sufficient amperage/voltage for what is by far the highest current-drawing appliance on your boat.

Just installed 3 new batteries this month...and so far, that appears to have been my problem but I haven't used the boat enough to know for sure.
 
gerryb said:
Same problem here and multiple calls to IMTREX. Technician there says many time it is a battery causing the problem - old battery not able to hold sufficient amperage/voltage for what is by far the highest current-drawing appliance on your boat.

Just installed 3 new batteries this month...and so far, that appears to have been my problem but I haven't used the boat enough to know for sure.
Click to expand...
What kind of batteries? I have a couple weak ones on my boat and am thinking of trying Optima. D31M $230 ea, haven't shopped much so don't know if thats a good price or not.
 
Woody said:
What kind of batteries? I have a couple weak ones on my boat and am thinking of trying Optima. D31M $230 ea, haven't shopped much so don't know if thats a good price or not.
Click to expand...

Good price if including shipping. Great Batteries. I have 4.
 
Check the 5A fuse located in the anchor compartment, it's loctaed in a harness above and a little in front of the control box
 
thanks for all the suggestions. been a little busy this week but will look for fuse in anchor locker and check connections to motor
 
I checked breakers and relays, but eventually discovered corrosion on the lugs at the motor. After wire-brushing to get back to bright metal, the windlass motor worked fine again.
 
Turn master windlass switch on
Check power on silinoid at positive post with a multi-meter
Should have 12+ volts on main post (there will only be power to one terminal at this time)
Push manual in / out and check for voltage on post next to the one that had power above. (only other post is the ground)
While holding in / out button, check voltage at silinoid, if any.
While holding in / out button, check voltage on motor, if any.

If low voltage
Could have bad ground (causing light on master switch to go off while engaging)
Could have bad power wire (most likely corrision on post will be first signs) (wiggle wires while in / out button, will see spark or hear motor engage)
Bad battery (if so, check power on that battery while holding in / out button) (will be same voltage readings as at motor because of power draw)(battery can go to 12 volts on it's own)

If no voltage
Bad relay or switch (if so, you have to pull switch or check power coming into switch or relay)

If power at motor and it's 12+ volts, then you have a bad windlass motor. (knowing you have a good ground. Shorted motor or grounded hot wiring will trip breaker or blow a fuse. If not triping or blowing a fuse (most likely not because your light goes off only when engage in / out switchs. You most likely will not be replaceing any parts.

If above does not work then you have a bit more in depth diagnosing to do.

Hope this helps fires up some ideas! Should be pretty easy task and 1/2 hr to check.

Frank
 
i dont have my multi meter right now, i have been trying to locate the windlass latching solenoid that has a 5 amp fuse in it for about an hour now....no luck at all finding it...Lucky Dog i could not find the fuse your talking about in front of the control box....i did check all the connections and none are corroded or loose. the windlass control box was very hot even without the windlass being used in a week.
 
ok i have took a 12 volt battery and ran wires direct to windlass and it goes up and down with ext battery. i took a multimeter and check center wire coming into the control module and it shows 12.89 volts but does not arc if touched to ground? i am cannot find the solenoid anywhere the schematics show it in the bilge next to main breaker panel but there is nothing there
 
we found the solenoid and the 5 amp fuse is good, it clicks when you press the anchor button on dash but up or down doesnt work..
 
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