Windlass "down" foot pedal not working

[340DA]

The down foot pedal on the deck of my boat for my Lofrans windlass progress 1 anchor is not working. The up pedal works just fine but the down is not working.

Any suggestions why it would not be working? Or, what I can do to try to fix it it?

 

[boatmailster]

does it work from helm switch? if answer is yes - first check inside rope locker if wire going from foot switch to windlass control box didn't get disconnected. if connections looks ok replace or repair foot switch (it is getting corroded inside and is not closing circuit when pressed, take apart, clean, lubricate and put together, and watch for "flying spring )
if doesn't work from helm: control solenoid box needs to be replaced or windlass repaired

 

[340DA]

Yes, it works fine from the helm station. I'll check the foot pedal itself,,,, maybe the contacts are corroded.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Be careful when you take the foot switches apart. There are a couple of screws that hold the stainless ring (and the switch itself) down to the deck. Remove those and you can pull the entire switch assy up just a little bit. To undo the wire connections on the underside of the switch is going to take some doing. Be careful that you don't drop the screws and washers that are there (don't ask me how I know) but I'd suggest you get some of those long mechanical fingers before you even start taking the wires off.

A file applied gently to each of the contacts works wonders to remove the corrosion.

Murphy takes over on jobs like this and you will drop one washer. It will fall down into the chain locker to an area you can't see which means you will have to remove all the chain rode to find the missing washer. It will be lying peacefully on the bottom of the chain locker and that's what you need the mechanical fingers to pick it up with.

Don't ask me how I know all of this.

BTW, the power wire that runs to both the up and down switches is very short and won't allow you to really pull the switches up far enough to work on them. Thanks a lot Sea Ray for not making that wire about 4"-5" longer. Ya jerks!

 

[JeffMac]

Be careful when you take the foot switches apart. There are a couple of screws that hold the stainless ring (and the switch itself) down to the deck. Remove those and you can pull the entire switch assy up just a little bit. To undo the wire connections on the underside of the switch is going to take some doing. Be careful that you don't drop the screws and washers that are there (don't ask me how I know) but I'd suggest you get some of those long mechanical fingers before you even start taking the wires off.

A file applied gently to each of the contacts works wonders to remove the corrosion.

Murphy takes over on jobs like this and you will drop one washer. It will fall down into the chain locker to an area you can't see which means you will have to remove all the chain rode to find the missing washer. It will be lying peacefully on the bottom of the chain locker and that's what you need the mechanical fingers to pick it up with.

Don't ask me how I know all of this.

BTW, the power wire that runs to both the up and down switches is very short and won't allow you to really pull the switches up far enough to work on them. Thanks a lot Sea Ray for not making that wire about 4"-5" longer. Ya jerks!

Hi there,
I recently had an issue with my up pedal not working (works from the helm). I took the pedal apart and lost a washer and the spring despite your great warning. I found the washer and spring under my anchor chain and got everything cleaned up and put back together. Seems to work now but honestly it’s still somewhat intermittent. So, here’s my question. Was there just one washer or two when you took the pedal apart? I can’t tell from your description above. I definitely only found one washer but I’m wondering if maybe a second one is needed which may improve my “contact” and help the switch work more consistently. Any thoughts? Also, thank you for you write up! Very helpful.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Jeff, I don't recall how many washers there were because it was a few years ago that I took it apart. Sorry I can't be more help.