Electric Anchor Windlass

[SteveIOW]

Have just fitted a Lewmar Pro Series 1000 Windlass. Have connected it up to 12 v battery supply, via Contactor and Circuit Breaker, with nice big 25 mm2 cables as recommended in Installation Manual. Have yet to fit the control circuit to the Contactor. This needs to be 3 core (common live + up and down). Manual does not say what cross section cables to use. A 3 amp fuse is required in the common live so I presume the current will be less than this. Am thinking of using 3 core domestic flex (not solid 2 core + earth). If this is OK what cross section cable should I use. Distance from Contactor to furthest control switch and back to Contactor will be about 14 metres.

 

[Cliveshep]

I'm guessing here but I would use larger rather than smaller as it's low voltage and you don't want a voltage drop, so in your situation I'd use 2.5mm 3-core, i.e. same as an electric fire or washing machine, which is what I've used on mine. However, I fitted foot-operated switches for mine so I can be up on the bow watching what is going on whilst controlling the winch in case I accidently hook up something nasty like a sub or something and bugger the winch!

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

As domestic 2.5mm cable is rated at 20amps max there will not be a problem. regarding current loading. If you want to make an A1 job you should use tinned copper wire and tinned copper crimp connectors and avoid solder as it is yet another metal in the mix.
To be honest, for internal boat work, I use domestic cable and crimp connectors and put silicone rubber or grease on the exposed parts.