Lewmar Windlass switch

[sailtones]

Hi,
I have just purchased a perfect second hand 2 wire lewmar windlass. Perfect apart from the missing switch (contactor or solenoid) .
I can buy a new 2 wire switch, but I have access to a 3 wire windlass switch for free. Does anyone know if this three wire switch can be configured to be used for a 2 wire windlass?
My thoughts are no because the 2 wire switch reverses the polarity, where as the 3 wire directs the current to one wire or the other, but maybe I am wrong??

 

[pvb]

Does anyone know if this three wire switch can be configured to be used for a 2 wire windlass?

No, it can't.

 

[GrahamM376]

Hi,
Does anyone know if this three wire switch can be configured to be used for a 2 wire windlass?
QUOTE]

Usually, a two wire (one way) winch switch is just a single pole one way switch whereas the one for a reversing winch is a single pole 2 way - it connects the centre pole to eith the "up" or "down" contacts. The 3 wire (2 way) switch should work fine except that when you switch it to "down", nothing will happen.

You will of course have to install a circuit breaker and contactor, you can't wire the switch into the main feeds.

 

[pvb]

The 3 wire (2 way) switch should work fine except that when you switch it to "down", nothing will happen.

That's an interesting assessment of "working fine"!

 

[GrahamM376]

That's an interesting assessment of "working fine"!

The switch is "fine", it's the motor which doesn't have reverse windings.

 

[GrahamM376]

Hi,
Does anyone know if this three wire switch can be configured to be used for a 2 wire windlass?
QUOTE]

Usually, a two wire (one way) winch switch is just a single pole one way switch whereas the one for a reversing winch is a single pole 2 way - it connects the centre pole to eith the "up" or "down" contacts. The 3 wire (2 way) switch should work fine except that when you switch it to "down", nothing will happen.

You will of course have to install a circuit breaker and contactor, you can't wire the switch into the main feeds.

Following this further, I'm assuming that as you say the windlass has only 2 wires, it doesn't reverse by swapping polarity. All the reversing Lewmars I've fitted have had 3 contacts on the motor - one neg & 2 pos - separate up and down windings.

 

[maxi77]

Hi,
I have just purchased a perfect second hand 2 wire lewmar windlass. Perfect apart from the missing switch (contactor or solenoid) .
I can buy a new 2 wire switch, but I have access to a 3 wire windlass switch for free. Does anyone know if this three wire switch can be configured to be used for a 2 wire windlass?
My thoughts are no because the 2 wire switch reverses the polarity, where as the 3 wire directs the current to one wire or the other, but maybe I am wrong??

You need a control unit which reverse the polarity of your power supply to reverse the motor.

The best place to look for things like that and radio remote controls is places that supply winches for the 4x4 market.

 

[pvb]

Following this further, I'm assuming that as you say the windlass has only 2 wires, it doesn't reverse by swapping polarity. All the reversing Lewmars I've fitted have had 3 contacts on the motor - one neg & 2 pos - separate up and down windings.

Lewmar made 2-wire and 3-wire windlasses. The 2-wire motors (permanent magnet) are reversible by changing the polarity. This is achieved by using a suitable solenoid system.

 

[sailtones]

You need a control unit which reverse the polarity of your power supply to reverse the motor.

The best place to look for things like that and radio remote controls is places that supply winches for the 4x4 market.

Thanks for the advice, I have found a suitable solenoid and wireless remote control (with a spare handset) all up for less than half the price than I would have paid for a lewmar solenoid, let alone the remote as well!

It's easy to forget to look at other options before going to the chandlers and paying three times the price for the exact same thing apart from the sticker which says 'marine'!!

I am now looking forward to dropping and weighing anchor whist being able to be on the foredeck and in the cockpit with a wireless remote. I can just imagine those next to me saying 'what a ******', while secretly wishing they had one.
But posing aside, in the end, it's all about short handed safety, saving my back, and quite a few pennies!

Thanks again,
Tony