Windlass kickin out....

pwollsch · Post by **pwollsch** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:35 pm

Lofran project 1000 windlass, Imras-10700 control module.
I hit the foot switch and she runs for 10 secs and drops out.
I wait 15 secs and can do it again.
Either direction.
Voltmeter says I go from 14vdc to 3.5vdc when this happens.
Newer install, good connections.
I only see a battery, Control Box, and motor.
Battery is good, tried with Engines running as well.
Guessing the coil on the control module is bad?
Will take module home this week to test.
Any feedback or experience with this system?

comodave · Post by **comodave** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:47 pm

What is the voltage when the windlass is running? If it is the 3.5 volts, could be from undersized wiring and you are getting a voltage drop in the wiring due to resistance. See how many amps the windlass is supposed to draw under load and then you can calculate what gauge wiring should be used. You need the total distance from the battery to the windlass and back to the battery. Once you know that, you can go to West Marine catalog and see what gauge is needed to supply at most a 10 per cent drop in voltage. Even if it is a new installation, many times the workers do not do this calculation, but rather put in a wire that looks big enough without taking into account the total distance of the run from the battery to the windlass and back to the battery. It could be that the motor is overheating and quits for a while. If you have the correct size wiring and the connections are good as you think they are, then I would look at possible bad parts. Do the simple stuff first. You can throw a lot of parts at it and still have low voltage if you have undersized wiring. Good luck.

rooferdave · Post by **rooferdave** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:07 am

how new is it???

My windlass was causing probs ( whats new its a boat) found originall it was a bad breaker by the genny battery, anyhow we opened up the casing and water had gotten in and the gears were rusty!

if yours has a release switch for emergencies release it and see if the rode runs through it freely. Or better yet open it and check the oil. If the gears are binding this would do it.

pwollsch · Post by **pwollsch** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:52 am

Found the wires to be sized ok.

Also found the ground was terminated on a lug at the generator with paint on the surface....poor path for current.

I ran the leads direct to battery and problem solved.

Thanks for the tip.....I found the conductor size chart at Imtra's website useful as well to confirm my set up.

Paul