2018 RT. R31 CB adding windlass control

[Marnis]

Hi fellow Tugnuts,
The command bridge of the RT31 CB does not have any windlass controls. I was wondering if anyone has added windlass controls up there, or would anyone know if the windlass can be adapted with a remote?

Thanks for any suggestions offered.

Sonny

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Sonny, I don’t have an answer for you but I would suggest calling Lexmark (assuming that is your windlass brand) to ask them if you don’t get an answer here.

Jim F

 

[Wee Venture]

I haven’t done it but I’ve looked at the wiring diagram. Since the windlass is powered via a solenoid, the switch wires are low amperage and therefore easy to run (there are only three). You could add any number of stations by just hooking the new “up-down pad” wires in parallel with the existing switches. If you don’t want to cut a new hole you can even get a portable switch pad on a springy cord like the radio mike. (I’m pretty sure Jim meant to say “Lewmar,” though Lexmark makes a great printer.)

 

[knotflying]

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/lewm...MIhKKS39rM4AIVgUwNCh12IwJuEAQYAyABEgJY_fD_BwE

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Good info here and in short order for helping a fellow Tugnutter out. I had Lewmar in my mind when I typed my post John but somehow it came out Lexmark....maybe a printer could do the trick for other things on a boat :lol:

Jim

 

[Marnis]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I’ll check these out.
Sonny

 

[stwendl]

The Lexmark may still make a good boat anchor, after removing the toner of course.

 

[asm777]

Following this thread. Please post again if you do get this accomplished!

As we operate the boat exclusively from the CB, there are quite a few controls that are only available in the main lower helm that we also wish were available upstairs!

 

[FlyMeAway]

To follow-up on this thread, my R-31 CB has an "Accessory" switch on the command bridge, which the manual suggests is wired to the windlass. What does it do?

 

[Bobby P.]

I am going to add a switch at the bridge as well.

Regarding the extra accessory switch on the bridge panel... My boat has that as well, but no wires attached to it. Further, it is an "on/off" switch. You probably know this, but you need a switch that has up/down and middle. I bought one of these at West Marine that fit right into that spot. I was considering just extending the wires from the switch at the inside helm station and running them up to the bridge (thereby eliminating that switch, as I've never dropped or retrieved the anchor from inside). I started this project but had to abandon it because the wiring was so challenging to run. I had to put everything back together before my wife caught me.

I like the idea of the remote. I might try that.

BTW, I have two yellow wires at the upper helm station, one labeled "up" and the other "down". I assumed that these might be the ones that I could use to add a switch. I called the factory but was told that yellow wires are ground wires and therefore would have nothing to do with the windlass to power it up and down. Maybe I miss-understood.

Keep me informed of your progress.

Thanks,
Bobby

 

[FlyMeAway]

In the manual for the R-31 (v7), on page 31, it shows the fourth fuse on the command bridge sub panel as “windlass.”

Is this an error in the manual, or is there wiring related to the windless on the command bridge?