Anchor winch (click)

[tortugarum]

Hi all
Got a problem with my electric anchor winch. When attempting to operate all I get is a click. Have taken the winch and motor out and all the spindles are free. Replaced all this and guess what click. Could this be the solanoid? any ideas would be greatly apprecaiated.



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[Brian_B]

Could be your battery connections.
You get this sort of click from a car starter motor if the connections to the battery terminals are loose or corroded.

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[tortugarum]

Thanks
Will try this any other suggestions out there?


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[boatless]

With Brian, almost certainly connections.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[steve_cronin]

Is this ONE click when you press the button(& maybe another when you let it go) or do you have a series of clicks as the shaft rotates accompanied by the rope drum moving sideways?

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

COULD BE A FLAT BATTERY??

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[AndrewB]

The click IS the solenoid closing - so it's probably OK. Assuming this isn't a mechanical fault such as a jammed chain (you'd hear a buzz from the motor), then suspect one of three possibilities:

(1) Insufficient power to the winch, probably due to a dud battery; a damaged/corroded connection; or the solenoid not closing properly. Test the resistance in the circuit as well as the voltage because a winch needs a lot of power.

(2) Carbon-brushes sticking or worn flat. Replacement is a reasonable DIY task. They are mostly fairly standard patterns, quite cheap, so can be bought from a specialist components shop like Lucas as well as from the manufacturer.

(3) Motor windings burnt out. There is often a pungent smell from the motor when this happens. Not fixable - expect to shell out £200 or so for a replacement motor, still cheaper than a new winch.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by AndrewB on 19/03/2004 16:46 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[tortugarum]

Wow what a huge source of info from you guys. Much appreciated

There is only one click each time the button is depressed. and a definate thud when released. The batteries are OK and are always on charge, in fact the same battery turns over the starboard engine.

Will check out all your advice Thanks again



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[Rohorn]

Hi....Questions...how old is the winch system? Where is the solenoid in relation to the winch? I guess the winch is on the bows with a push button hand control on a coil cable next to it? and the solenoid is back in the cockpit next to the battery?
The solenoid may be clicking in and out but you don't know if it is really sending the juice toward the winch, so first check with a meter (or a lamp) if the 12v is getting past the solenoid contacts. Bad, burnt or corroded power contacts need fixing, most likely by changing the solenoid..
If your light or meter shows some juice is getting through, then all the previous info comes to bear.....juice, but not enough 'cos the battery is kaput or flat, winch motor/brushes etc suspect
Cheers.....R

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[tortugarum]

The motor looks recent and inspection of same looks good, the spindle is loose and spins free. Battery although not tested yet seems ok will turn engine over without problem.
The solanoid is next to the motor in a hatch in the bow so far I am sadley alone when visiting the boat so unable to operate the switch in the cockpit and listen at the bow but the sound is def from the same area.

Thanks for all the imput



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[Benbow]

There may be a fuse or breaker protecting the motor which is separate from the supply to the solenoid – if so it may have failed. It should be placed immediately after the high-power lead comes off the main positive supply. If its blown, replace it, if it appears to make no difference, check it again, if its blown again you have a short somewhere in the motor or its power supply.


Otherwise, I would do this:

Measure the voltage across the motor terminals while someone operates the switch, sorry you need an accomplice for this.

1 If it stays at zero but the solenoid clicks, then it is almost certainly a failed solenoid (the solenoid proper is operating but failing to switch the power because of (for example) burnt or broken contacts). But could also be a completely dead high power connection to the motor (eg a blown fuse).
2 If it goes to 12V and stays steady then it is a defective motor.
3 If it jumps about between 12V and 0V and especially if the solenoid ‘chatters’ then it is a bad connection somewhere in your system. Check high-power connections for looseness, corrosion and signs of heating-up. I too would bet on this.

I would confirm these by judicious use of a car battery with some jumper leads, but I really can’t recommend it to anyone !



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[ionian]

This may sound obvious but.... when you test it is the gypsy out of gear so motor is free to run if the anchor is stowed, otherwise anchor and chain need to be free to lower/raise.

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