Windlass circuit breaker

[PaulJS]

Hi Everyone,

I'm afraid I'm at work at present so can't access the manufacturers website, so I'll try to get advice here.

My boat is fitted with a Quick Windlass, 700W, horizontal motor in the chain locker, vertical drum and gypsy on deck, my anchor is 20kg.

The first time I tried using the anchor it kept on tripping the circuit breaker, even when lowering.

Further investigation revealed a dry soldered joint at the breaker and that it was Quick 20A unit (at the time I didn't know the windlass power rating), so presumably bought at the same time as the windlass. However 700Watts/12volts = 58+ Amps, so as I can't access the website I don't know if this is correct; do Quick recommend a circuit breaker rated at 1/3 of the winch available power for an anchor of 20kg or is the breaker totally inappropriate.

Looking at the cable sizes which are at least 8mm diameter, I'm very suspicious that I should have at least a 50A breaker as I can't find a 60A one.

Any advice gratefully received,

Paul

 

[Hoopdriver]

The circuit breaker supplied with Lewmar's Pro Series 700W windlass is rated at 50A.

 

[PaulJS]

Thanks Hoopdriver.

Looks like my suspicions were correct, just an incorrect installation.

Paul

 

[philip_stevens]

60 amp circuit breaker for the 700 model (same as I have fitted)

View attachment 33681

 

[PaulJS]

That's exactly what I was after Philip, thanks.

Paul

 

[Spi D]

Had the same issue.
From experience I know, that these winches tend to go stiff due to grease drying out inside them.

Parts are available only as main components so I took my gearbox apart, cleaned and checked everything, replaced bearings and seals, filled with semi fluid grease (as known from truck's automatic chassis lube systems) and refitted it.

Winch never was better. When selling a couple of years later it still ran like new.

The manufacturer homepage shows a number of variants. Their 700w models commonly are rated for 80-95 max. amps (!) which indicates huge peak draw.
LINK

 

[PaulJS]

Thanks SpiD, now I'm a little more confused... How can a 700W, 12Vdc winch absorb 90A? Surely that makes it a 1080W winch??? Unless Quick have specified undersize cables and compensated for a hefty volt drop?

However, I've got a 12v, 60A circuit breaker so I'll fit that, but probably with the other electrics rather than in one of the saloon table seat lockers where the present one is!

 

[Spi D]

I'm not one to explain Italian maths, but if 700w is the rated consumption on average and it takes +30% at peak, then 90A would ensure that the fuse keeps even when starting the winch under full load.

In theory and by best guess

 

[philip_stevens]

I've got a 60A breaker supplying my Quick windlass, and it has never tripped even when raising the anchor from a deep anchorage, and pulling the boat onto the anchor.

 

[PaulJS]

I've got a 60A breaker supplying my Quick windlass, and it has never tripped even when raising the anchor from a deep anchorage, and pulling the boat onto the anchor.

60 Amps it is then! Although I do wonder who fitted a 20 Amp circuit breaker... And why?

 

[Adamastor]

Quick use a special performance curve in their circuitbreakers. The nominal rating is NOT the tripping load, because there is a degree of overload protection built in. Your manual should have the specs, and whoever you bought the windlass from should have supplied the right breaker!

 

[philip_stevens]

60 Amps it is then! Although I do wonder who fitted a 20 Amp circuit breaker... And why?

The correct hydraulic breaker - http://www.quicknauticalequipment.com/?lng=en&cs1=01&ms1=2&ms2=2&ms3=49&ms4=117

 

[PaulJS]

Thanks for all the advice.
I'll get onto the manufacturers website when I get access to the unfiltered internet and get the correct breaker. Only four weeks to go!
Paul