windlass wiring?

Ordered the V700 yesterday. So have a question about that. I would like to put a thimble on the end of my line to attach to the hook in my locker to prevent it accidentally taking a bath...lol. Can I somehow put the line in the windlass with the thimble on it? I know the thimble won't go through the windlass but meaning can I slip the line down into the windlass with the thimble already past the windlass?

And still haven't located the wires. I was able to squeeze my fingertips in behind the cabin trim and could feel the flexible conduit. I found the 'slit' and could touch the wires and one felt a little bigger than typical lighting wires but hard to tell with just the tip of 1 fingertip touching it. I ordered one of the 'inspection cameras' that attach to your phone so hopefully I can slip it in there to see the wires. Same with the locker. Might help me to get far enough in there to see better.

Will update as I go. Hoping to either 1) get this all done next weekend or 2) have all of the pre-install done meaning holes all drilled and epoxied up, contactor mounted (if there isn't already one installed) and then would have to order all the wire to run the length of the boat if it isn't already there
 
Keep it simple. At some point you may want to remove the line to wash it. Just tie it to the hook in your locker - no need for a thimble and shackle.
 
Keep it simple. At some point you may want to remove the line to wash it. Just tie it to the hook in your locker - no need for a thimble and shackle.
Yeah that was the plan but was considering buying a whole new line with chain pre-spliced and a few I found already had the thimble. My current one does not. It is either 150 or 200' and just bought it last year but it has about 8' of chain but it is too thick for the V700. I spliced it myself but concerned whether my splicing skills are good enough to get through the V700...lol. If so then I will just buy the chain and splice it but I have heard the V700 is finicky when it comes to splices?
 
I installed a V700 on my Sundancer a while ago. I spliced it myself, as well - no issues. Reports of being "finicky" could be misleading - some people will blame the windlass when the real blame lies with the person doing the splicing, you know?

You could just cut the thimble off. But, are you sure there were TWO thimbles on the ones you found? Meaning, maybe you were looking at the chain end of the line, but the other end was free?

36-E3-DF75-C9-AB-41-C3-90-FA-63-CC79199-FC5.jpg
 
I installed a V700 on my Sundancer a while ago. I spliced it myself, as well - no issues. Reports of being "finicky" could be misleading - some people will blame the windlass when the real blame lies with the person doing the splicing, you know?

You could just cut the thimble off. But, are you sure there were TWO thimbles on the ones you found? Meaning, maybe you were looking at the chain end of the line, but the other end was free?

36-E3-DF75-C9-AB-41-C3-90-FA-63-CC79199-FC5.jpg
No, only a thimble on one end. The other end was just cut. Not all were like that but I was figuring that would make an easy way of attaching it to the eye inside my locker. But tying will work too. And yeah I agree that the 'finickiness' is more caused by the person doing the splicing, which is why I would rather buy one already pre-spliced...lol. I don't trust my skills
 
Was finally able to reach those wires in the locker but couldn't see them. Felt a wire that seemed a little thicker than the rest so pulled it out of the conduit and stuck my phone in there. After some more feeling around found there was a 2nd wire of the same size. Hard to tell how thick it was but definitely thicker than the others in there. Here are the pics. Didn't find the ends yet but if this is them then should be able to figure it out. The other wires in that group are pretty small. Maybe 12 or 14. That one blue wire says 14 on it but not sure if that is the gauge or not.
Also, pulled the switch panel and there are wires attached to the windlass button on the helm. Haven't found the other end of those yet but leads me to believe there is also a contactor somewhere as well.

So do these wires look thick enough to be 8GA? Once I find the ends I will test for continuity to verify. That will probably have to be after I drill the large mounting holes cause I will need to use that 4.5" hole to get my arm in closer to feel around.


 
Figuring those small ones sticking out are typical 16AWG for lights those look to be 8
Can’t think of anything else that far forward that would need that size except windlass

i think i mentioned some windless used positive up positive down and negative (black one)
Now you need to find the other end in engine space or helm
 
Figuring those small ones sticking out are typical 16AWG for lights those look to be 8
Can’t think of anything else that far forward that would need that size except windlass

i think i mentioned some windless used positive up positive down and negative (black one)
Now you need to find the other end in engine space or helm
The other end is all connected from what I can see. Haven't found the contactor yet but the Lewmar breaker has wire going in and coming out. Can't see it past there yet. Ordered an inspection camera so hope to see more with that. But once I find the end in the locker then I'll check for continuity to the end at the breaker. If that is it then I should be good to go.

And yeah, I couldn't think of anything else up there that needs 8GA either. That blue wire with the red tracer says 14 on it if you look close. Can't say for sure that it is 14GA but for comparison sake we can try to determine if it is 8GA. Once I drill the mounting holes I should know for sure.

Come to think of it...I would have to check it at the contactor? Unless I push the switch on the helm there would not be continuity to the locker?
 
Come to think of it...I would have to check it at the contactor? Unless I push the switch on the helm there would not be continuity to the locker?
With everything shut down and quiet, can you hear anything that might be a contactor when you actuate the anchor switch? If you can locate it (assuming it's there), I'd be very curious if the wire color matches those that you found in the forward compartment.
 
With everything shut down and quiet, can you hear anything that might be a contactor when you actuate the anchor switch? If you can locate it (assuming it's there), I'd be very curious if the wire color matches those that you found in the forward compartment.
The wire coming from the breaker is reddish. The one in that pic there looks a little more orangish but it's hard to tell. Could be the camera doing that. Can't see it with my eyes. I haven't tried to listen for the contactor but that is a good idea. Won't be back down there until probably Friday evening. Supposed to rain tomorrow afternoon so planning to do other things
 
So what gauge wire would my horn be? Just watched some of the previous videos I have recorded and see that my horn wires are orangish and yellow too. Just hard to tell what gauge they are but looks like they come out of that same loom.
 
I really think you are going to need a locker access hatch from the cabin at the bow to get this installed. I had to remove and reinstall my windlass before and after my deck repair and I can tell you it would have been impossible without access from inside. Not just harder, impossible. The wires are not long enough to pre-wire it outside and the motor is very heavy to try to lift up and on the spline and get the bolts on.

I would be willing to bet that the Crownlines like yours that came with a windlass have an access panel, probably hidden under a mirror or something.
 
Is this what your bow looks like? If so, there will be a way that that panel comes off.

upload_2021-8-1_8-52-31.jpeg
 
Is this what your bow looks like? If so, there will be a way that that panel comes off.

View attachment 109706
Yep. Looks just like that. But from the locker side it's all one panel. That would require pulling that interior panel and removing the mirror then cutting a hole in the bulkhead and hinging it then re-assembling everything and to make it accessible the whole front wall would need to be re-configured. Pretty sure I have enough access once I find the ends of the wires and cut the mounting holes.
If it requires making a hole behind the mirror then I'd rather sell it and buy one that already has a windless or just do without. But yeah I'm sure there is a way to get it all apart but not by me...lol
 
OK, an idea for you then. Rig up something that will cradle the motor and can sit on top of a hydraulic bottle jack. Then you can use the jack on the bottom of the locker to jack the motor slowly up into position as you align everything to get the bolts on. Its harder than you think. Trust me, I had cabin access as well as anchor locker when I reinstalled mine, and it was an absolute PIA. Its been 2 months and my rib bruises are almost gone now.
 
OK, an idea for you then. Rig up something that will cradle the motor and can sit on top of a hydraulic bottle jack. Then you can use the jack on the bottom of the locker to jack the motor slowly up into position as you align everything to get the bolts on. Its harder than you think. Trust me, I had cabin access as well as anchor locker when I reinstalled mine, and it was an absolute PIA. Its been 2 months and my rib bruises are almost gone now.
Will see how it goes. Bought the 4.5" and 2.5" hole saw bits from Lowes just now so that is done
 
Don't the wires have the the gauge size printed on them?
 
Don't the wires have the the gauge size printed on them?
Maybe but I can't see them. There is no way to get my head in there so have to use my phone and camera. Once I drill the mounting holes I should be able to get a better look
 
Gotcha. I was responding with "Sea Ray" on my mind and the sizing is definitely printed - I don't know one way or the other with Crownline. I would "think so" - but not sure. If Crownline supplies a good wiring diagram, you might be able to figure it out that way, as well.
 
I have another email in to CL so hopefully they get back to me quick and I will ask them about the wiring diagram
 

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