Wiring for reversing solenoid for windlass

[smert]

I have a reversing solenoid and remote control from Winchmax, and I tried wiring it up today.

The diagram it came with has options for winch motors with 4 terminals or 2 terminals. My winch motor has 3!

I worked out the +ve and -ve supply and the output switches when the remote is activated so I figured I could connect it to the motor. I connected one of outputs from the solenoid to the motor and it worked perfectly. I then connected the other output and the motor would only turn very slowly and the breaker tripped after a while. The wires from the solenoid were getting warm too although they are chunky enough to handle the current.

Any ideas what is going on and why?

 

[VicS]

I have a reversing solenoid and remote control from Winchmax, and I tried wiring it up today.

The diagram it came with has options for winch motors with 4 terminals or 2 terminals. My winch motor has 3!

I worked out the +ve and -ve supply and the output switches when the remote is activated so I figured I could connect it to the motor. I connected one of outputs from the solenoid to the motor and it worked perfectly. I then connected the other output and the motor would only turn very slowly and the breaker tripped after a while. The wires from the solenoid were getting warm too although they are chunky enough to handle the current.

Any ideas what is going on and why?

3 terminals and a battery negative to the case = 4 wire motor ????

 

[smert]

There are only three terminals on the motor. There is no terminal on the case for the battery -ve if I have the 3 connections from the solenoid

 

[PaulRainbow]

There are only three terminals on the motor. There is no terminal on the case for the battery -ve if I have the 3 connections from the solenoid

You don't connect the remote to the motor, it connects to the controller. Do you have a link to the model and fitting instructions ?

 

[Graham376]

You don't connect the remote to the motor, it connects to the controller. Do you have a link to the model and fitting instructions ?

The wiring diagram posted above is for the Winchmax but bears no resemblance to usual diagrams from other suppliers. There's a link here with connections which are the usual and, as you say, should be connected to existing winch controller, not motor. 12V Electric Wireless Winch Remote Control Handset 100 Feet 17000lb For Jeep | eBay

 

[VicS]

There are only three terminals on the motor. There is no terminal on the case for the battery -ve if I have the 3 connections from the solenoid

I would have wired it exactly as shown in the diagram for a 4 wire motor

• Battery positive to solenoid terminal terminal 5.
• The motor terminals shown as red, black and yellow to solenoid terminals 4, 6 and 7 respectively.
• Battery negative to a convenient bolt on the motor casing or mounting

Maybe I am wrong.
Is your winch a Winchmax model or are you trying to use a Winchmax control on another manufacturers equipment?

The instructions say

if you have any doubt as to how you should connect your remote DO NOT do it before consulting our office hours helpline for advice. ​

It would have been wise to have contacted Winchmax before experimenting. Hopefully you have not done any serious harm to the motor windings.

FWIW I have found a diagram for connecting 2 wire and 3 wire winch motors at https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1X0i....idth=1500&height=1903&size=301526&hash=304929
Not sure that it helps though

​

 

[PaulRainbow]

The wiring diagram posted above is for the Winchmax but bears no resemblance to usual diagrams from other suppliers. There's a link here with connections which are the usual and, as you say, should be connected to existing winch controller, not motor. 12V Electric Wireless Winch Remote Control Handset 100 Feet 17000lb For Jeep | eBay

The diagram above is for negative switching, which isn't always the case. The link you posted is for the more usual positive switching.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I would have wired it exactly as shown in the diagram for a 4 wire motor

• Battery positive to solenoid terminal terminal 5.
• The motor terminals shown as red, black and yellow to solenoid terminals 4, 6 and 7 respectively.
• Battery negative to a convenient bolt on the motor casing or mounting

The instructions say

if you have any doubt as to how you should connect your remote DO NOT do it before consulting our office hours helpline for advice. ​

It would have been wise to have contacted Winchmax before experimenting. Hopefully you have not done any serious harm to the motor windings.

​

He shouldn't have to make any solenoid connections, as the solenoid should already be present, he only has to make connections to the solenoid coil terminals, or the wiring between them and the current foot switches/wander lead, etc. Although post #1 is a bit bague.

It makes no difference if the motor has 3 or 4 wires.

 

[smert]

You don't connect the remote to the motor, it connects to the controller. Do you have a link to the model and fitting instructions ?

I'm not connecting the remote to the motor. The only connections to the motor are from the solenoid. The solenoid and remote control come as a unit from Winchmax. COMPLETE 12V WIRELESS WINCH CONTROL BOX SYSTEM WINCHMAX QUALITY 3475568475985 | eBay

The windlass is a Maxwell vw10. There are 3 terminals only and no other means of attaching a large wire from the battery. There are NO other bolts that are a suitable size.

The diagram in #3 is the 4 terminal diagram that comes with the solenoid/remote unit.

The Maxwell wiring diagram has a different solenoid with only 3 terminals. Redirect Notice

I have spoken with Winchmax (as instructed before I connected anything), but they were not very helpful.

 

[VicS]

Ah so you are trying to connect a Winchmax control system to a VW 10 windlass

The manual for the Maxwell VW 10 is here :- https://www.absolutemarine.co.nz/image/catalog/documents/Anchorlift/Manual - VW10 RC6-8-10 Series.pdf
and the wiring diagram for it is on page 7

I think you can wire the Winchmax controller to it like this


Battery negative goes to the middle terminal on the motor The other two terminals are connected to 6 & 7 on the solenoid (There is no connection to terminal 4. )
If you find UP and DOWN are the wrong way round reverse the connections to 6 & 7

Wait for other comments

 

[PaulRainbow]

I'm not connecting the remote to the motor. The only connections to the motor are from the solenoid. The solenoid and remote control come as a unit from Winchmax. COMPLETE 12V WIRELESS WINCH CONTROL BOX SYSTEM WINCHMAX QUALITY 3475568475985 | eBay

The windlass is a Maxwell vw10. There are 3 terminals only and no other means of attaching a large wire from the battery. There are NO other bolts that are a suitable size.

The diagram in #3 is the 4 terminal diagram that comes with the solenoid/remote unit.

The Maxwell wiring diagram has a different solenoid with only 3 terminals. Redirect Notice

I have spoken with Winchmax (as instructed before I connected anything), but they were not very helpful.

I don't have a manual for your windlass, but i'm pretty sure (correct me if i'm wrong) it has a negative terminal which should be connected to the battery negative, the battery positive would normally go to the Maxwell solenoid pack, with a pair of wire coming from the solenoid pack to the motor.

To use the Winchmax system you would need to connect the remote as per the diagram, connect the battery positive to terminal 5, connect terminals 6 and 7 to the motor, make no connection to terminal 4

But, the Maxwellmust have had a solenoid pack to start with, in which case this is not the correct kit to fit a wireless remote, you'd be better off with the kit linked in post #5

 

[PaulRainbow]

Ah so you are trying to connecy a Winch nax control system to a VW 10 windlass

The manual for the Maxwell VW 10 is here :- https://www.absolutemarine.co.nz/image/catalog/documents/Anchorlift/Manual - VW10 RC6-8-10 Series.pdf
and the wiring diagram for it is on page 7

I think you can wire the Winchmax controller to it like this

View attachment 135790
Battery negative goes to the middle terminal on the motor The other two terminals are connected to 6 & 7 on the solenoid (There is no connection to terminal 4. )
If you find UP and DOWN are the wrong way round reverse the connections to 6 & 7

Wait for other comments

You posted as i was typing Vic, i agree with your diagram

 

[smert]

Ah so you are trying to connecy a Winch nax control system to a VW 10 windlass

The manual for the Maxwell VW 10 is here :- https://www.absolutemarine.co.nz/image/catalog/documents/Anchorlift/Manual - VW10 RC6-8-10 Series.pdf
and the wiring diagram for it is on page 7

I think you can wire the Winchmax controller to it like this

View attachment 135790
Battery negative goes to the middle terminal on the motor The other two terminals are connected to 6 & 7 on the solenoid (There is no connection to terminal 4. )
If you find UP and DOWN are the wrong way round reverse the connections to 6 & 7

Wait for other comments

Thanks Vic

 

[smert]

I don't have a manual for your windlass, but i'm pretty sure (correct me if i'm wrong) it has a negative terminal which should be connected to the battery negative, the battery positive would normally go to the Maxwell solenoid pack, with a pair of wire coming from the solenoid pack to the motor.

To use the Winchmax system you would need to connect the remote as per the diagram, connect the battery positive to terminal 5, connect terminals 6 and 7 to the motor, make no connection to terminal 4

But, the Maxwellmust have had a solenoid pack to start with, in which case this is not the correct kit to fit a wireless remote, you'd be better off with the kit linked in post #5

Thanks Paul

 

[Neeves]

The manual is also available to download direct from Maxwell

User Manuals

Just find your specific windlass - I think the wiring diagram is on page 21.

I would download the manual as you will find it useful for the annual service you will make to the windlass. Note that when the windlass was installed it may not have enjoyed use of Duralac - if you are working on the windlass now it might pay dividends if you take it apart and add Duralac to the stainless bolts. If it is an older installation - do the service now - its very simple (read the manual), check gear box for oil, clean then grease the shaft and generally clean the whole unit. If it is a new unit you might want to paint the motor with a protective coating (the stuff that was used to seal then protect the underside of cars to protect against road salt) as the casing is just mild steel and the environment in a locker is pretty harsh.

We have a similar unit (38' x 7t cat), the RC8-6 (or 6-8) with a 1,000 watt motor and a 6mm gypsy, no capstan, below deck installation, foot switches and switch at the helm. Excellent product.

Jonathan