SL Seawolf 520 - Control Solenoid

[Ianhampshire]

Although it's still working, I need to replace the Control Solenoid for my SL Seawolf 520 Anchor Windlass as it's heavily corroded and I'd hate for it to fail at a critical time.

I had thought the windlass had a 12v motor but I can see from other posts that there is a possibility it may be a 24 v motor, something I may need to check before anyone can give any sensible answer.

Whatever, I'm interested to know if anyone has any recommendations on where to find and what to fit as a replacement control solenoid. The windlass is a freewheel out and power up only model.

 

[pvb]

Most windlass control boxes are essentially similar - relays in a "waterproof" case. You need to clarify voltage, current and the switching requirement, then almost any make would do the job. Or a simple relay might do if you can mount it in a protected position.

 

[Ianhampshire]

Thanks pvb, That's what I was thinking/hoping as I have found a couple of what look like suitable units but just wanted to double check if there might conceivably have been a compatibility problem. I'll double check the Voltage and Current and then work out how to get my head and arms into the chain locker simultaneously where the old unit is located !

 

[rosssavage]

Www.slspares.co.uk

If he doesn't have one, he can get it...

 

[silver-fox]

Www.slspares.co.uk

If he doesn't have one, he can get it...

+1

 

[ffiill]

First of all check the voltage-I picked up an old seawolf which didnt appear to work properly-when I took the motor down to the rewinders to be tested he felt it was a 24 volt.
My reconned seawolf now benefits from a far more powereful non standard motor considerably cheaper than the standard replacements even with the cost of enlarging the motor housing to fit readily available and cheap as chips industrial 12v motors.
As for relays the Seawolf Windlass is rated at about 160 watt and therefore only uses a low power relay.
SL spares will let you have a free copy of the manual if you ask nicely.

 

[Leighb]

I have a Seawolf 520 which I discovered is fitted with a 24V motor, this works just fine on 12V although the recovery speed may be slower than it might be.

I did consider getting it re-motored but decided to work on the basis of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

 

[Ianhampshire]

Thank's to all for your answers. It's clear that the Seawolf 520 is probably fitted with 24v motor even though its supply on most boats, including mine, is only 12 volts.

As I'm not that great with electrics, my questions therefore is should the control solenoid be rated as a 12v or 24v unit ? I'm working on the basis that any correctly rated solenoid will then acceptable.

 

[captainboo]

Seawolf 520 Solenoid

This is the set up I made for my 520 as I didn't want to put the original heavy duty foot switch back through the deck as it required a big hole to fit.

The whole lot is in a waterproof box under the deck inside the chain locker.

It is a 12v 200a relay bought from ebay. The rectangular black object is the in-line thermal cut out and the small diode is to protect the relay contacts from arcing when operating the windlass motor.

Wires on the left go to the motor, the right is the power supply and the bottom goes to the foot switch.

View attachment 38465

In your case you will need the solenoid to operate on 12v (the boats supply) and it will then switch that on and off for the motor. The contacts need to be rated for the switching voltage/current combination, in your case 12v/30amp(ish). I opted for a 200 amp relay purely because it was cheap and meant that the contacts would last longer as they are designed for much higher current.

 

[Ianhampshire]

Many thanks Captainboo, all clear now.... and looks like you made a very neat job indeed judging by your photo ! Happy New Year to all