Lofrans X2 windlass installation advice

[scr0che]

Just bought a new Lofrans X2 anchor windlass (1000w motor)to replace an old Airon and I'm after some advice r.e. wiring it up.

I currently have just 2 x 35mm cables coming to the bow from the back of the boat. The positive will connect to the control box, with the negative connecting to the motor or control box, depending on how many terminals the motor has - I won't know until it arrives I guess (?). The wiring diagram suggests 0-15m I could use 25mm cable, but since the larger one is already in place, am I ok to use those (cost saving!)

I'll replace the circuit breaker at the chart table in situ, it's 90A but Lofrans recommend 100A, so happy to replace. Is this acceptable using the wiring already in place, I don't see any reason not?

The connections between the motor and control box - can these 2 be made from 25mm tinned cable? Or should I continue with the 35mm? The motor and control box will be next to each other.
(plan to buy these pre-made to avoid crimping issues with large cables, any recommendations?)

Subsequent connections from the control box to two foot switches (up/down) and a rocker switch back in the cockpit - is 1.5mm tinned cable suitable? Cockpit ~8m away, swicthes above motor. Assume I'm ok to use multi-core where suitable?
These will also have an inline spade fuse rated to 5A on the positive cables, for each control device (foot/rocker).

Now, when I took the old windlass out, there were literally only 2 cables up front. So my question now relates to the battery connections - am I able to connect these control wires to the positive/negative points on the control box/motor directly? Along side the 35mm cable?

I'm also a little confused by the connection on the wiring diagram from the circuit breaker to the battery negative and the central connection on the control box - what is this one for?! Can this be connected to the same point on the motor/control box as the negative 35mm cable coming from the battery? I don't believe the exisiting circuit breaker has this connection.

Any help/advice much apprecaiated!

Steve...

 

[pvb]

Your existing 35mm2 cable is fine. You can use 25mm2 cable to join the control box to the motor. I've bought pre-crimped cables from an eBay seller, look at 170 Amp Car Battery Power Earth Cable Choose Colour Length Terminal Hole Sizes | eBay

Your proposal for wiring the switches is fine.

Basically, you should wire the control box exactly as the diagram shows. The control box contains relays, which operate when the switches are operated, and which then provide the power to the motor. In order to make a relay work, you need both positive and negative connections - this is why there needs to be the negative feed to the control box. You don't need to run a separate negative wire back to the battery, you could use a link from where the main negative cable fits on to the control box.

 

[scr0che]

Many thanks for this, happy I was on the right lines!

 

[Antony Collis]

Hi,
What was wrong with your Airon? we need to replace ours, we just need the gearbox really.
Did the X2 fit the same footprint?
Would the gypsy from the Airon fit onto the X2?

Many thanks

 

[scr0che]

I changed the whole setup, sold the airon on ebay, it was in working order.

The X2 whilst not the exact footprint it does fit as food as and works perfectly.

Can't say about the gypsy, send Lofrans an email, their support was very good at responding.