I have a 2013 GW Freedom 335 and when I turned my battery switches on the windless turned on and started to let anchor line out and I tried hitting the retrieve button but it wouldn’t stop it from letting line out. I went back to the battery switch area and had to turn off the dedicated breaker for the windless. Every time I switched the breaker back on, it started to let anchor line out again, so I’m navigating with the breaker off at all times now!!! Any thoughts??? Thanks
Windless
- Thread starter Mitch61
- Start date
Yup - sounds like either the dash switch or the foot switch at the bow is hanging up.
Does your boat use a guarded power switch at the helm?
Does your boat use a guarded power switch at the helm?
I'm assuming you have a bigger windlass like the Lewmar 1000 with a 70 A breaker. Helm/foot switches normally cannot handle the high amp loads imposed by a larger windlass so a relay is required. There is typically a high amp relay that works (up/down) from a 12V (lower amp) signals from the helm switch or foot switch, usually located near the windlass. Most likely it is frozen in the "down" position. You can disconnect the signal wires at the relay that feed the dash and foot switches and if it still runs out, it's the relay. On my 330, that relay is located inside the anchor locker near the top, port side. There will be thick (high amp) wires feeding the windlass and coming from the dedicated breaker aft near the batteries. There will also be thinner signal wires that come from the foot switch (if you have one) and the helm switch. You can isolate the problem by disconnecting the signal wires to see what is causing the problem. It is more likely to be the relay as it is exposed to a harsher environment in the anchor locker (if it is like my 330).
Good point - forgot about the relay... even though I've installed a couple windlasses over the years! That makes sense.
A guarded switch has either a cover that flips up or a short railing around it preventing you from accidentally activating with an elbow or other part of your body. Essentially a guard against accidental activation.
Some manufacturers use two switches at the dash. One to turn the system on and one to control up/down. Often the up/down switch has a "guard" around it or requires pulling the toggle outwards before flipping up/down. It helps to prevent accidental deployment of the anchor - and doing so underway could be REALLY bad! Although, the safety chain or windlass lock lever should always be used, anyways.
