Reversing an electric windlass

[MikeKopman]

Hey all,
Anybody ever installed a reversing solenoid on their electric windlass?
The motor on mine only has two contacts so there's no simple way to reverse it. Apparently there are boxes of tricks (like a single throw double pole solenoid) out there that can do the job. Dunno where to get one tho'. Ideas?
Mike

 

[ccscott49]

If your motor only has two wires, I don't think it can be reversed, I may be wrong, but my motor, which I have just replaced with two doube pole solenoids, has three wires, to reverse the flow through the field, which gives you the reverse, if your field is reversed, so will be the connection to the comutator (armature) which would make the motor go in the same direction, you must reverse the field and leave the armature, with the same polarity, thats my understanding of this, but I could be wrong, yet again!

 

[pvb]

Solenoids...

There are lots of solenoids around. I have a Lofrans windlass, and fitted a Lofrans solenoid and deck switches (sourced from MMS). Also, Vetus sell solenoids for 2-wire windlasses.

 

[ean_p]

contact Albright contactors who make most of the contactors that others sell ....they have a web site think it is just www.albright.co.uk if not try a search engine.......have aword with their tech people who will put you right....and save you a few tokens......

 

[Jcorstorphine]

On SL windless, all you need to do is reverse the polarity. Having refused to pay the high price for a marine solenoid, I bought a starter solenoid unit from Lucas for about £7. To make your motor reverse you need a total of four solenoids wired in such a manner that two are connected to drive in one direction and the other two drive in reverse. You just need to make sure that you don't energise all four at the same time or you will have a short circuit.

john C.

 

[MedMan]

Why do you wish to do this? I have watched countless boats, sail and power, drag their anchors all over the place because they have used this setup, especially in a bit of breeze. A powered windlass just will not let the chain out fast enough so there is a strong likelyhood of gathering sternway long before the anchor hits the bottom. With many anchors, once they start skidding they tend to keep skidding, even when more chain is let out. Use a windlass to haul up by all means but nothing beats gravity when letting go!

 

[ccscott49]

Looks like I stand corrected, maybe you can reverse a two wire motor!

 

[Jcorstorphine]

I am now not so sure about reversing your windless. It may be worthwhile just making a trial without any load and simply change the wires round and see if the windless does in fact reverse.

JC