Quick windlass solenoid failure ?

[radio1]

Hi

just trying to find out if my quick windlass solenoid has died

Tried to drop anchor as normal, no click from solenoid, good voltage at terminal engine on 14v. Wired remote checks out ok with multimeter as does the plug and socket inside anchor locker and the connections between control and solenoid

Removed the solenoid to test with a 12v supply and get it to click in one direction only the piston on other side doesn't click or rise when supply is connect to that side of the control but works on the other side.

Solenoid looks nice and clean inside its a QUICK T501 unit. Can I service it or should just replace it?

Thanks in advance

Paul

 

[pvb]

Not really serviceable, replace it.

 

[philip_stevens]

Hi

just trying to find out if my quick windlass solenoid has died

Tried to drop anchor as normal, no click from solenoid, good voltage at terminal engine on 14v. Wired remote checks out ok with multimeter as does the plug and socket inside anchor locker and the connections between control and solenoid

Removed the solenoid to test with a 12v supply and get it to click in one direction only the piston on other side doesn't click or rise when supply is connect to that side of the control but works on the other side.

Solenoid looks nice and clean inside its a QUICK T501 unit. Can I service it or should just replace it?

Thanks in advance

Paul

It can be opened - with care!! I have a quick windlass and I opened my solenoid/contactor during last winter to check the contacts - and dropped one bit in the garage. Took a while to find it, but yes, it can be opened and check serviced.

 

[john_morris_uk]

It can be opened - with care!! I have a quick windlass and I opened my solenoid/contactor during last winter to check the contacts - and dropped one bit in the garage. Took a while to find it, but yes, it can be opened and check serviced.

Looks very similar to ours and I have had ours stripped down and cleaned and repaired. Water had got in (condensation running down a cable) and corroded one of the 'pistons' on one side. Cleaned up with emery etc and has worked perfectly ever since.

 

[radio1]

Looks very similar to ours and I have had ours stripped down and cleaned and repaired. Water had got in (condensation running down a cable) and corroded one of the 'pistons' on one side. Cleaned up with emery etc and has worked perfectly ever since.

Thanks for the replies.... Stripped it down in the kitchen of course and found one piston with slight corrosion. Clean all moving parts and put back together and now it works. The compartment did have some moisture in so will try to sort that

Thanks all

 

[philip_stevens]

That's saved you a few pints

 

[pagoda]

Thanks for the replies.... Stripped it down in the kitchen of course and found one piston with slight corrosion. Clean all moving parts and put back together and now it works. The compartment did have some moisture in so will try to sort that

Thanks all

I realise this is an old thread, but would like to add that it's easy to open up and clean up this contactor.

The cover with the big studs is retained by 4 small self tappers. Remove them while holding the 2 halves together.
over a table or a pillow case or similar, slowly separate the top cover from the base. Each part of the switch actuators has a small return spring- so don't lose them. As mentioned - the symptoms of click but no action are sometimes corrosion. Ours was not. there had been some arcing at the contacts -and the loss of material / blackening was the problem.
You have full access to the contacts, so re-dressing gently with emery cloth is easy . I checked the operation with a 12V lead prior to re-fitting (on the spade connectors ) .
The alternative is to replace the 2-way contactor with 2 individual high amperage relays. There are plenty on Ebay rated at 12VDC at 200A and are reasonably priced. That was my plan B !