Running the engine when using an anchor winch

[john_morris_uk]

Almost lost track of what I was asking. So if I run my engine with its 80amp alternator at say 1500 revs when using the winch will that take most of the load off the battery and save a charge discharge cycle or am I more likely to damage the alternator. Think I'll leave a note on the boat to measure it in the spring.

It won’t damage the alternator. It’s self limiting and just because the system is demanding more than 80 amps doesn’t matter. (In fact it’s very rare for the alternator to give close to its theoretical maximum output as it heats up its output self limits as well...)

 

[capnsensible]

Funny, just as I’m reading this thread and agreeing there is no harm in using windlass only if benign when I hear the screeching of a windlass 50 yards always as a boat starts leaving the anchorage in just 18 knots of wind. Its that sound that I realise makes me stop the windlass and either carry on again if the chain droops or get the engine going slowly ahead for bit.

Me too!

 

[lw395]

It won’t damage the alternator. It’s self limiting and just because the system is demanding more than 80 amps doesn’t matter. (In fact it’s very rare for the alternator to give close to its theoretical maximum output as it heats up its output self limits as well...)

It seems that plenty of Land Rover owners have fried their alternators using winches.

 

[miha90]

In most cases the engine will not be able to charge the batteries while at idle so using the anchor will actually deplete the batteries. This is solved by simply increasing the RPM. The average 1200W windlass can use up to 100A so even the alternator might struggle with the demand sometimes. This is where a decent size battery bank comes into play.