Windlass Circuit Breakers

[WindyWindyWindy]

This is the one for my Lofrans Kobra. Not sure what type it is as was already installed when I bought the boat.

View attachment 143627

Thanks.

That's very useful. Is that the relay box to the left? So you've got the breaker up near the bow?

 

[Tranona]

Yes, control box to the left and wifi sender to the right - does both windlass and thruster. 105Ah battery in compartment forward if the bulkhead, charged (or will be when I get round to fitting it!) a B2B from the engine start battery. The windlass was already in place and the installer of the bow thruster redid everything to keep all the electrics in one place.

 

[salar]

This is what I fitted: UK supplied, waterproof Surface Mounted Circuit Breaker up to 200A It's in a below-deck locker so didn't need to be waterproof but I thought why not. More expensive than a dodgy eBay circuit breaker but I want it to keep working. FR are marine suppliers.

 

[Plum]

I'll be needing a 100A circuit breaker.
Do I really need to spend 120 quid on a Lofrans one?
There are a lot of variants, although I notice most seem to have the wires on the front, which is surely pretty ugly.
What are you using and what does it look like?

I have one of these Waterproof, Switchable, Surface Mount Circuit Breakers

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[PaulRainbow]

This is what I fitted: UK supplied, waterproof Surface Mounted Circuit Breaker up to 200A It's in a below-deck locker so didn't need to be waterproof but I thought why not. More expensive than a dodgy eBay circuit breaker but I want it to keep working. FR are marine suppliers.

I have one of these Waterproof, Switchable, Surface Mount Circuit Breakers

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

I think you will find that these, along with others in this thread, are cheap unbranded breakers, likely no better than the Ebay ones.

If anyone wants a decent thermal breaker, look for "Busman", they make the one branded by some of the windlass manufacturers and BlueSea etc.

 

[Klausen]

do you mean "Bussmann"?

 

[Klausen]

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

I have literally given up. Despite finding Carling, bep and osculati gear for a third of the price. I've already hit three different suppliers for this project, so sod it, I'm paying a hundred quid for a thirty pound device.

I'm just disappointed that the prescribed Lofrans one looks crap as well as being a rip off.

 

[Martin_J]

I'm not sure where you are or if you've bought one yet but Force 4 do one in the middle of that price range.
I fitted one a couple of years back. What's great is that the indicator light is so clear and bright it's easy to see, it copes with double the load for 10 seconds.. and it even says Windlass on it!








Edited. Model changed to middle.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I have literally given up. Despite finding Carling, bep and osculati gear for a third of the price. I've already hit three different suppliers for this project, so sod it, I'm paying a hundred quid for a thirty pound device.

I'm just disappointed that the prescribed Lofrans one looks crap as well as being a rip off.

No need to pay £100 for a quality one: Blue Sea 285-Series Circuit Breaker - Panel Mount 100A - 7087B-BSS

It is also panel mounted, so you don't see the wires. If you are careful you can cut an oblong hole and fit it from behind.

 

[Blueboatman]

I have literally given up. Despite finding Carling, bep and osculati gear for a third of the price. I've already hit three different suppliers for this project, so sod it, I'm paying a hundred quid for a thirty pound device.

I'm just disappointed that the prescribed Lofrans one looks crap as well as being a rip off.

Look, the £70 difference will get you sorted and up and running and maybe even up the anti wrt any warranty issues down the line “did Sir fit one of our recommended blah blah ..”

Best bought, soonest forgotten I reckon

Sometimes ya win, sometimes you buy the win!
Well worked through ?

 

[Neeves]

I receive an eclectic mix from Aliexpress. This arrive today

1.23￡ 25% OFF|DC MCB 12V 24V 48V 60V 110V Battery Protect Circuit Breaker Positive Negative Switch Short Circuit 2P 10A 20A 50A 100A 125Amp| | - AliExpress

Jonathan

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

Look, the £70 difference will get you sorted and up and running and maybe even up the anti wrt any warranty issues down the line “did Sir fit one of our recommended blah blah ..”

Yes, that is a consideration, the Lofrans docs are even preloaded with that get out.

• The system must always be protected
by a suitable circuit breaker.

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

I receive an eclectic mix from Aliexpress. This arrive today

1.23￡ 25% OFF|DC MCB 12V 24V 48V 60V 110V Battery Protect Circuit Breaker Positive Negative Switch Short Circuit 2P 10A 20A 50A 100A 125Amp| | - AliExpress

Jonathan

Bafflingly, aliexpress won't let me buy anything.
I have literally no idea why.

 

[LadyInBed]

Bafflingly, aliexpress won't let me buy anything.
I have literally no idea why.

Haven't you heard, the £ is dropping like a stone!

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

Haven't you heard, the £ is dropping like a stone!

I'm trying to use euros.. hmmm...

 

[PaulRainbow]

Yes, that is a consideration, the Lofrans docs are even preloaded with that get out.

"
• The system must always be protected
by a suitable circuit breaker. "

The BlueSea breakers are suitable. Made by Cooper Bussman (Eaton)

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

The BlueSea breakers are suitable. Made by Cooper Bussman (Eaton)

Well, you say that, but do they have the same cut-off curve as the Lofrans one?

Given the total lack of anything resembling a specification, you can't actually say that's "suitable".

 

[PaulRainbow]

I'll be needing a 100A circuit breaker.
Do I really need to spend 120 quid on a Lofrans one?
There are a lot of variants, although I notice most seem to have the wires on the front, which is surely pretty ugly.
What are you using and what does it look like?

You asked some questions, i gave you all of the answers, including a link to one that doesn't have the wires on the front, can be mounted behind a panel and is suitable for a windlass.

Well, you say that, but do they have the same cut-off curve as the Lofrans one?

Given the total lack of anything resembling a specification, you can't actually say that's "suitable".

Now you want to argue with me ?

Data sheets freely available online, if you bother to look.

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

You asked some questions, i gave you all of the answers, including a link to one that doesn't have the wires on the front, can be mounted behind a panel and is suitable for a windlass.




Now you want to argue with me ?

Data sheets freely available online, if you bother to look.

I'm not arguing with you, just explaining my position. I don't doubt your skill in this regard. Data sheets aren't available from Lofrans, I have looked. I don't even know the screw sizes for the contacts and I bet they won't match the windlass.

You've been very helpful. I can't buy the breaker you suggested because it's outside my jurisdiction. I did find similar here but it's already a big project and I'm waiting on a stack of suppliers as it is so I don't want to add another one.

I do hope this thread might help someone in future. Slightly wishing I'd gone lewmar now though.