Windlass Switch Help

RAW BAR

RAW BAR

Member
Aug 27, 2020
80
RI
Boat Info
2005 Amberjack 290 V-Drives
Engines
Twin MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI Horizon w/ V-Drives
I can't figure out how to operate my windlass. Here's a pic of the controls:
20220714-101438.jpg

And a video. The windlass isn't moving but you can hear a click when I press up or down on the MAIN switch:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hO-XhXVM19k
 
I don't think its getting power. When you hit the "Main" switch, it should light up.

Tim
 
That click/clunk when you hit the switch marked main is the solenoid for powering the windlass. The motor doesn't seem to be getting power. Two things I would check, one make sure your batteries are fully charged and no corrosion on the terminals. Two, check the up and down solenoids at the bow by the windlass for any loose cables or corrosion.
 
I don't hear a solenoid in the video I think we are just hearing the contacts in the switches. You need to listen at the bow near the windlass to hear whether the relays there are actuating. The main solenoid is likely closer to the battery, the direction relays will be at the windlass itself. Is the chain pulled really tight by chance? The windlass may be jammed in which case you may need to use the manual crank procedure to free it.
 
Thanks guys!

Main switch does not light up, you are correct.

There's a click when I press up on the switch, there's a click when I press down. To me it sounds like a solenoid click from somewhere below.

Batteries are fully charged and I'm plugged in to shore power.

The windlass could be jammed I guess. I don't see any movement at all though. I'll check this and also the solenoid in the bow.
 
I tried to let some chain out manually, loosened up the nut on top with a winch handle... nothing. Tried pulling on the chain too and it won't budge. The chain in the locker below is free.
 
The carling switch should be the power switch. When pressed up a light should turn on and then stay lit till you push it down. This switch turns on a solenoid that sends power to the whole system from your battery.

The toggle switch on the starboard side is the control switch that sends a signal to the solenoids in the control box by the windlass to go up and down just like the foot switches on the deck do.

You will need to get a friend to help you to check a couple of things. First get a voltmeter and open up the anchor locker access hatch. Then test the leads to the motor on the windlass for power. There will be three leads, center is usually ground (negative) and the other two are positive depending which way the motor is wanted to be turned. Have your friend operate the windlass controls while you test for power at the motor. If there is power then the motor is bad and you will need to take it out to get rebuilt or replaced. If there is no power then you will have to find the fault by checking every component in the wiring harness all the way back to the batteries until you find it.
 
Well, it does sound like you found the problem. Might try using a large dead blow hammer to help free up the capstan. See if there is any trouble shooting advice in the owner's manual or call the manufacturer for guidance as well.
I might be tempted to cut the first link of the chain to relive tension if I could not remove whatever shackle is used to attach the anchor to the chain. I bet if you relieve the tension, it will break free and be fine. Mine occasionally jams if I am not careful when bringing the anchor up. It seems that there should be a cushion of some sort at the anchor sprit to avoid this, but it would be just another item to maintain.
Good luck with that.
CD
 
I pushed in the windlass breaker, looks like a red button in the AC breaker panel. It didn't seem like I reset it or anything. That's all I did, and while looking around the chain locker at the connections I accidentally hit the foot switch and they work. Went back to the cockpit, to test it.

Push the Main switch down turns on the system and I can use the Control switch to go up and down.

Push the Main switch up and the system turns off. Control switch does nothing.

So confused, really don't think the breaker button did anything. Also, still no light on the switch.
 
Sounds like the main switch perhaps is miswired or perhaps partially not working entirely right. But as long as it works for you good enough.
 
RAW BAR said:
I pushed in the windlass breaker, looks like a red button in the AC breaker panel. It didn't seem like I reset it or anything. That's all I did, and while looking around the chain locker at the connections I accidentally hit the foot switch and they work. Went back to the cockpit, to test it.

Push the Main switch down turns on the system and I can use the Control switch to go up and down.

Push the Main switch up and the system turns off. Control switch does nothing.

So confused, really don't think the breaker button did anything. Also, still no light on the switch.
Click to expand...
That switch should work the opposite way so between that and the light not coming on, I would have real close look at the wiring on the back of the switch as someone may have replaced it and made some wrong connections.
 
techmitch said:
That switch should work the opposite way so between that and the light not coming on, I would have real close look at the wiring on the back of the switch as someone may have replaced it and made some wrong connections.
Click to expand...
Bingo! That would be my bet as well. The main CB may have opened the last time the anchor was brought up too tight.
 
RAW BAR said:
I can't figure out how to operate my windlass. Here's a pic of the controls:
20220714-101438.jpg

And a video. The windlass isn't moving but you can hear a click when I press up or down on the MAIN switch:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hO-XhXVM19k
Click to expand...
there is a solinoid under near the batteries it looks like a ford starter sol. its called a battery disconnect it is what turns the power on to light the switch on dash I just had to do it there are 2 battery wires and 2 small wires that turn the disconnect on or off once you get the light to stay on on dask you have it .there are also 2 fuses in the disconnect
 
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