Windlass woes

[Esquire]

Need help diagnosing a windlass problem. My Lewmar windlass will bring the anchor up...thank god, but the power down doesnt work, from either the deck switch or the remote switch on the helm... I checked all the wires and connections did not see any problem visually. Is there a separate breaker for the power down? Anyone got any ideas? The manual that came with is of no help at all.

[chuckm]

Not sure if this will help. You didn't indicate what model you have but I assume they are all very similar. I believe there are only two wires going to the windlass. The up/down switch swaps which wire is connected to ground and which wire supplies 12vdc. The breaker should be wired in between the battery and the switch. If it works one direction and not the other I would suspect the switch contacts. You should be able to use a voltmeter to determine if 12vdc is making it through the switch. Most likely arcing in the switch has probably caused carbon build up on the switch contacts. On my boat the deck switch is one way (up only). If you truly have up down switches at both console and deck I'd expect that both switches would be connected to 12vdc through one breaker. If both switches cause the windlass to wind in then the 12vdc to the switches is good. If both switches don't pay out then either the switches are bad or as you suggest there are two breakers supplying the winch. I seriously doubt that this is the case.

The boats wiring diagram (in the manual) should show how the windlass it's switches, breaker and wiring are connected.

chuck

[dnkstarr]

There should be a solenoid that controls the primary power to the wench motor, this is probably a sealed unit with four or five wires attached to it and is probably near the wench itself in the anchor locker. The large wires are the primary power for the wench motor the smaller wires are the ones that go to the switch that you use to control the direction of travel.
Using a test light or volt meter see if you have voltage going to the wench motor when you press the switch be sure and check both wires and make sure you are using a good ground. The solenoid has two functions, up and down. If not the solenoid is not picking up and will need the connections cleaned or replacement of the entire unit.

Hope this helps.
David

[Esquire]

Thanks for the input, I thought perhaps that a switch had corroded or gone bad as you suggested Chuck but, both the deck down switch AND the helm switch does not activate the power down, but the helm switch does work bringing it up so I thought it would be unlikely that both switches would have gone bad at the same time. I think that it is more likely that the solenoid is malfunctioning which would knock out both switches. Will check it out this weekend. Thanks again guys, that is what is great about this forum.
Scott

[dnkstarr]

How did you make out with the problem?

[Esquire]

It was the solenoid, ordered a new one from West Marine and am waiting for delivery. Thanks again, you were right on the money!