Repair an electric windlass that no longer works

Deck equipment, Windlasses, Electric windlasses, Mooring

One of the most annoying problems one could encounter on a boat or sailboat is the failure of the electric windlass. This device makes it possible to raise or lower the anchor, with an electric motor. If your electric windlass no longer works, you have to raise the mooring by hand! Another alternative: repair. This article explains all about how repair a broken electric windlass.

Contents of the page

Repairing an electric windlass that no longer works: what are the common causes?

Several factors can be at the origin of a electric windlass failure. A low voltage to supply direct current can for example be the consequence of the fact that the windlass starts and stops immediately. A breakdown can also be caused by severe weather. The leader then begins to trip during the ascent of the anchor. A long swell is capable of breaking your electric windlass during a mooring descent in a narrow cove. On this occasion, if you do not feel any power in the barotin, the windlass is certainly broken.

In addition to these common causes, other factors must be considered. Failure of the relay at the saber terminals may cause a failure. A winding wire that no longer makes contact with its terminal, and you find yourself in trouble! Finally, a dilapidated installation is also a source of trouble. The the electric windlass can turn in a vacuum without the anchor rising.

Repairing an electric windlass that no longer works: solutions according to the causes

To bring rescue and repair solutions for your electric windlass, you must first identify the fault with a current clamp. When the hardware does not start, the relay is often the cause. Check the wiring between the relay and the control. But if your relay starts up normally and the windlass still does not start, it is the wiring from the battery that will need to be checked. A short circuit problem happened so quickly! Unplug the remote control, reconnect then check the circuit breaker. Then start the engine and repeat your maneuver.

The problem may be with the remote control. In this case, you will have to change it:

See the Italwinch remote control

There are also foot switches installed flat deck. It is the most efficient for maneuvers.

Engine running, the windlass starts and stops immediately. Be careful not to pull too much on the mechanism. It is possible that the fatigue of the motor helping, the voltage peak at start-up has become too great for the circuit breaker. Above all, do not try to "bypass" the latter, you risk a fire. Use the windlass manual to return to port and make normal repairs.

The other phenomenon that also comes up quite often during navigation is when your windlass turns and the anchor does not rise, while the clutch is firmly locked. The first reflex for repair a slippery windlass is to try to disengage widely and push the anchor back with your foot. If that doesn't work, the clutch is stuck by salt. Tie up the anchor so that it does not slip out of your hands. Unscrew the clutch, clean with special boat degreaser and grease with a suitable marine grease.

In the case of a windlass that turns in a vacuum, you must also check the level of wear of the gypsy, and change it if necessary. This is because the sprocket cones can wear out over time and no longer catch the chain effectively. To change a sprocket, you can easily find a spare part on Amazon, Ebay et Ticketmaster :

Sprocket for LEWMAR Pro-Series Windlass

If despite all these efforts the windlass still does not work, then you must disassemble the windlass and check all parts for wear. Read our article if you don't know how to disassemble a windlass. Once the defective part is located, you must replace it. An internet search is often enough to find spare parts:

VSee the spare parts for Lewmar V3 and V2 windlass (Manual lifting kit)

Repair of an electric windlass: when to call a professional?

Many risks are linked to a situation of electric windlass failure: electrocution, fire or deterioration of the automation system, etc. are some of the dangerous situations to which an unqualified person is exposed. It is therefore essential to know the types of dysfunction requiring the intervention of a professional. The expert will carry out a diagnosis by testing the electrical components and evaluating the installations. He will then issue an opinion specifying whether the failure is general, relates to a defective device or a local malfunction.

If the electrical flow is not restored after a cursory examination, the failure is therefore serious. In this case, determining the origin of this failure requires excellent knowledge in the installation of marine electrical equipment.

For repair an electric windlass that no longer works, most of the time, part replacement comes down to the fuse, circuit breaker or relay. If the failure is due to the obsolescence of the device, the repair will include bringing the mechanism up to standard. The use of a qualified professional is necessary.

Maintenance of the electric windlass

To avoid having to frequently repair an electric windlass that no longer works, it must be maintained regularly by simple gestures. When cleaning the deck, you can take the opportunity to rinse the decommissioned windlass with fresh water, as well as the anchor locker.

When wetting, it is imperative to never leave the chain on the sprocket so as not to damage the gears ,. We recommend the use of a hook connected to an anchor damper, itself connected to a mooring line with splice. The mooring is then stretched over one or more cleats until the chain tension on the gypsy is removed.

See mooring lines with ø 10, 12, 14, 16, 20 or 24 mm splices

In addition, your anchorage is not just about the windlass. All the elements of the mooring line must be adapted to each other to work in harmony. The davit adapts to the anchor, the chain to the windlass, the anchor swivel to the cable, etc ... Otherwise, you will quickly encounter problems. It is therefore imperative to choose all the elements of your mooring line. We explain everything in our article: how to make an appropriate mooring line for your boat?

Once a year (especially at the end of a navigation season or before wintering), remove and clean the clutch release disc on your windlass. Grease the axles, the sprocket and the tailstock with a suitable marine grease. Then tighten the gaskets. Make sure that the grease does not overflow on the brake friction flanges when reassembling.

Also think about check the oil level of your windlass and adjust if necessary. Every two years, it is recommended to change it. It is important to use only SAE 80W-90 oil for your windlass.

Check the visible electrical connections. Before replacing faulty equipment, please turn off the power by turning the circuit breaker to “off”.

Finally, it is recommended to have a maintenance kit on board. All you have to do is choose the one suited to your windlass model:

What to do if the electric windlass cannot be repaired

If even a professional repairman couldn't repair your windlass, then it will need to be replaced. Choose your windlass according to the power of the engine (electric windlass 500 W, 700 W, 1000 W, 1200 W or 1500 W) and according to the length of your boat. Also take into account the speed of an electric windlass. To find out more, you can read our windlass buying guide.

For the choice of the brand, you are spoiled for choice: Lewmar windlass, Lofrans electric windlass, Quick windlass, Plastimo windlass, Italwinch windlass, etc. We wrote a article on the main windlass brands to help you differentiate them.