Anchor winch cables - size

[fiddle]

I intend buying an anchor winch. I am at the point of reading the spec in catalogues havnt decided which one yet, or who to buy it off though lofrans tigress looks favourite. This has a 1200 w reversing motor.
No catalogue however lists cable sizes. so question is how much power will this winch pull and what size cable do I need. Any other advice will be gratefilly recieved. thanks in advance.

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[tr7v8]

A 1200W winch will pull 100Amps! Which is serious current, at this level the issue isn't about current carrying capacity but voltage drop. This URL gives the simple formula:-
http://www.drydenaqua.com/instruments/aquatraul/voltage_drop_in_wires/voltage drop in 12v dc wires.htm.
don't forget that the cable lengthis to the winch and back or distance from battery to winch x 2 and you are looking for about 1/2v drop.
A couple of thoughts, 1200Watts seems a bit big I'd have thought around 700 would be more than adequate & also a batter close to the winch could save a lot of cable!

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Draco 2500

 

[Martin_e]

Try power-store.com they have the necessary tables etc pluss more. Size depends on circuit length ie batery motor battery. Shouldn't think you will get away with under 35sqmm on all but the smallest boat. Sometimes it is easier to have a battery in the pointy end and just run a charge cable to it, but that is another chapter.

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[pvb]

In your Moody, a 35 sq mm cable would result in a voltage drop of about 1V at the winch. Theoretically, that's too much, but in practice you could live with that because in most circumstances you'll probably have the engine running when you're using the winch, so the winch should still get a good 12-13V.

If you don't already have a high-amperage fuse at the battery, you must fit one (say 150A rating) to protect against possible faults.

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[LadyInBed]

Re: Reversing motor

I don’t think a reversing motor is necessary on a sailing boat.
Letting the chain out by hand is faster and does not waste battery capacity, just when you are probably not going to be recharging for 8 hours or more (over night).

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[fiddle]

Re: Reversing motor

oh eck. I thought the lofrans tigress fitted the theory "watl doalotl doabit" a windlass for a bigger boat would maybe be a boon in some future circumstance. Seems that I may be wrong. Any further comments? I do appreciate this help.

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[colvic]

Have the Lofrans winch with the 1000 watt motor, and am able to drop the anchor by releasing the clutch on the top without feeding it out by the motor, if I want to.

My local specialist electrical supplier checked the size of cable I would need and this came out at 16mm, yes quite small, but the tables gave two ratings one inside conduit and one not. Just clipped under the deck with free air round it it will safely carry a load of upto 90 amps and has been doing so for four years. There could be a voltage drop but as we always have the engine running when anchoring, this has never been a problem.


Phil

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[fiddle]

thank you COLVIC. Is your 1000 watt motor in a TIGRESS, or is it in the KOBRA. Ideally I would prefer the tigress cos I like the cleat on top and the fact that I dont have to drill a big hole in my foredeck. Do you know if the tigress is or has ever been marketed with the 1000 watt motor. Ive tried to answer this via this medium but with not a lot of success. thanks again

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