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F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:42 pm
by WayWeGo
We have not used our anchor in about six months, and tried to use it today. If I switched to up, it started pulling in rode. If I switched to down, it also started pulling in rode. There are switches at both helms and they failed exactly the same.

It seems to me that it is a problem with the relay or the windlass itself, since both switches fail with identical symptoms. I did not have much time to look at it while on the boat and figured that I would look at the wiring diagrams when I got home, but they don't show a windlass at all. Perhaps ours was added after the boat was built.

Has anyone had a similar problem? The only thing that I can think of that might be pertinent is that I had washed the windlass a few hours previously, but that has never caused a problem in the past.

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:33 pm
by prowlersfish
Good windlass ? Rope sticking in pulley grove ? ( happened to me once )

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:07 am
by BobCT
One of the best things I kept from my old lawn mower was the 12v starting battery. It's about the size of a brick and has enough amperage to test a windlass in place. I have a Powerprobe for testing pretty much everything else on the boat but the windlass will trip the built in breaker. One of those lithuim jump pack units for a car would also work.

That's my method of testing, start at the device and work my way back. Most windlasses use reverse polarity to control the up/down or freefall. Pos/pos, Neg/neg for "up" one and then switch pos/neg to test the "down" or freefall release.


Bob

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 11:19 am
by prowlersfish
Some use a 3 wire motor ( like Good) 1 ground and a up wire and a down wire .

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 1:52 pm
by WayWeGo
Double post...

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 1:56 pm
by WayWeGo
prowlersfish wrote:Good windlass ? Rope sticking in pulley grove ? ( happened to me once )
Yes, it is a Good.

I was trying to figure out what could cause my symptom electrically and could not. I'll bet you are right about the rope being stuck in the pulley.

That's what I love about this forum! Thanks!

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:41 pm
by oil&water
Assuming my Good is still "good" this thread will assist nicely in the keep in the back of the head info. Thanks!

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:19 pm
by WayWeGo
prowlersfish, did you have to take the winch apart to free the rope?

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 11:11 pm
by prowlersfish
No . But it was a pain from what I remember ( it was a few years ago ) I put some pull on the line and ran it up and down ( bumping the switch )

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 7:55 am
by WayWeGo
Thanks, I will look at it later today and report back.

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 8:01 am
by prowlersfish
Good luck ,

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 7:03 pm
by WayWeGo
Well, to start with, I am embarrassed to report we have a Powerwinch, not a Good. So much for my memory....

After trying to figure out how the controls were wired, I called their tech support and got a manual for my Powerwinch 612. This winch reverses when the polarity of the cables is reversed. Sounds simple, but there are 7 wires coming from the boat and 6 wires from the winch, all terminating into a board with two solenoids and lots of bus bars.

I finally figured out that one of the solenoids was clicking but not making/breaking contact on the two poles. Just about then, it started working! I used an automobile starter switch and exercised it a bunch of times and now it seems reliable. Maybe this winter I will replace the whole thing with one of the one piece reversing solenoids which may not be any more reliable, but surely easier to troubleshoot.

If anyone is interested, I can post the manual and also a drawing showing how to wire a one-piece module.

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:46 pm
by oil&water
At least the problem had a happy ending.

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 9:08 am
by Barrie
So it sort of fixed it's self, with a little human intervention.
I like those :lol:

One day I too will have a windlass.

Re: F36 Windlass Problem

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 9:51 am
by WayWeGo
Yes, it did fix itself, but I am not at all confident about its long term health. This was the first time we used it this season and I suspect it will fail again at the beginning of next season.