Lofrans Aircon 1000W 12v stopped whilst raising the anchor

[Running Water]

Has anyone experienced theIf windlass stopping during the anchor retrieve. Mine Is a Lofrans Aircon 1000W 2005 vintage, stopped with the anchor 2 metres short of the bow roller. On pressing the deck mounted down button the windlass operates and let’s out chain, when pressing the up button, the contacts can be heard to click but the windlass doesn’t operate. I’m going to have a look at it this weekend and would be grateful for any pointers. Cheers Graham.

 

[Graham376]

First off, I would swap the windlass power cables around on the controller so down becomes up. If windlass works then it's the controller that's faulty.

 

[Running Water]

Thanks Graham, I’ll give it a go this weekend, my suspicions are the controller has a fault.

 

[Running Water]

First off, I would swap the windlass power cables around on the controller so down becomes up. If windlass works then it's the controller that's faulty.

Hi Graham, I switched over the power cables and the windlass operated, albeit the down became the up, so I need to change the controller. Many thanks for your guidance, much appreciated, Graham Spraggs

 

[barclay]

Hi Running, you could try opening up the control box and cleaning the surfaces of the solenoids. They become tarnish over time. Even if buy a new one, you will then have a spare.

 

[Graham376]

Hi Graham, I switched over the power cables and the windlass operated, albeit the down became the up, so I need to change the controller. Many thanks for your guidance, much appreciated, Graham Spraggs

Glad to hear you've sussed it, would have been expensive if windlass was faulty Worth doing as barclay suggests.

 

[Running Water]

Hi Running, you could try opening up the control box and cleaning the surfaces of the solenoids. They become tarnish over time. Even if buy a new one, you will then have a spare.

Thanks Barclay, I have ordered a new one, but will do as you say and see if I can salvage it as a spare.

 

[Malish]

Is the battery voltage ok? I wonder if you are running out of juice during the lift

 

[Running Water]

Is the battery voltage ok? I wonder if you are running out of juice during the lift

Hi RR, the battery voltage is fine, Ive changed the control box, checked the switches which are ok and it the motor still fails to retrieve the anchor chain, which I now believe is a problem with the motor.

 

[Neeves]

I've done as suggested on our previous windlass. I took the old solenoid apart, and cleaned the internals, plates etc. Worked like new. Its worth doing. We have a new windlass (and solenoid). I now have two spares? The whole assembly can be subject to vibration - make sure all the terminals are tight.

I'd sugges, if you do not do it already, to run the windlass with the engine running. It would be better all round. I know many like to sail onto or off an anchor - a valuable skill. But to look after your batteries - better to keep the charge up (especially in the morning when you might have depleted the batteries).

Good luck

Jonathan

 

[Running Water]

I've done as suggested on our previous windlass. I took the old solenoid apart, and cleaned the internals, plates etc. Worked like new. Its worth doing. We have a new windlass (and solenoid). I now have two spares? The whole assembly can be subject to vibration - make sure all the terminals are tight.

I'd sugges, if you do not do it already, to run the windlass with the engine running. It would be better all round. I know many like to sail onto or off an anchor - a valuable skill. But to look after your batteries - better to keep the charge up (especially in the morning when you might have depleted the batteries).

Good luck

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan, thanks for your input.

 

[Graham376]

Hi RR, the battery voltage is fine, Ive changed the control box, checked the switches which are ok and it the motor still fails to retrieve the anchor chain, which I now believe is a problem with the motor.

That's odd, in #4, you said it worked OK when you swapped the connections over. Is it 2 wire or 3 wire motor? Have you tried connecting battery cables direct, bypassing the new controller?