Lewmar winch relay/solenoid?

[zzr7ky]

2008 R-25 Mercruiser Diesel.
While I was nearby the boat, but no one aboard, batteries engaged, and attached to shore power...
The Lewmar Windlass started dropping chain. As the anchor was lashed in place the chan thrashed around a bit before I go aboard.
Holding the switch to the Down position stopped the motor.
Removed the Switch, Disconnecting all 3 wires...and the Windlass continues to try to drop!
A wiring schematic would be helpful!

 

[CaspersCruiser]

2008 R-25 Mercruiser Diesel.
While I was nearby the boat, but no one aboard, batteries engaged, and attached to shore power...
The Lewmar Windlass started dropping chain. As the anchor was lashed in place the chan thrashed around a bit before I go aboard.
Holding the switch to the Down position stopped the motor.
Removed the Switch, Disconnecting all 3 wires...and the Windlass continues to try to drop!
A wiring schematic would be helpful!

Good luck with that! On the electrical schematic for my 2012 R27, inexplicably, the windless is completely omitted, like it doesn’t exist. I suspect the schematic for your 2008 boat omits it as well.

 

[zzr7ky]

I have the relay on order.

 

[zzr7ky]

Replacement Lewmar Relay is physically a bit smaller but has the same.part number. It did correct the issue.

 

[zzr7ky]

HELP!
Intermittently the Windlass motor engages on the up/heave side. I keep the boat in the backyard, so we could hear it this morning. It stopped as I approached the boat. The winch housing was warm, relay was also warm.

I'm planning to pull the deck mounted switches, but I'm at a loss on this one. Any ideas, experian welcome!
Thanks!

 

[NorthernFocus]

The deck mounted switches is where I'd start. Water intrusion could cause a short. All you can do is eliminate potential culprits one by one. Deck switch, dash switch, solenoid. The winch itself has no mode of failure that I can think of that would cause it to run.

There are a couple more things I'd be concerned about once you get the switches etc sorted out. First off there should be a switch to kill power to the winch/thruster circuit when the boat is on the trailer. I have the same model boat and the switch can be accessed through either the generator hatch(removable step) or the port lazarette hatch. Secondly there should be a circuit breaker in the power feed to the winch that should have tripped in this situation. Look under the vee berth on the port side.

 

[zzr7ky]

Thanks. Found the breaker (tripped) in the Port Lazarette . Loosened the clutch, engaging Main Battery Sw Windless begins heaving.... whacked the Relay.. no change. Deck sw's are heavily sun damaged and not waterproof. Ordered new switches. Planning to pull switches and verify that the relay is not also compromised

 

[zzr7ky]

Replaced the Deck Switches with new Lewmar parts. The Up switch was the problem. Working normally again.

 

[Kemo Sabay]

Similar story 2022 R31CB. Boat at slip in Marina with nobody aboard deposited 50' of chain on foredeck but stopped where chain and rope rode meet. Windlass still works. "Up" foot switch still works. Up and down windlass controls at helm still work. "Down" foot switch does not work. Going to replace both foot switches, keep the old "up" switch for emergency spare. Curious to know why the switch failed as it did, first on and then off, but glad the windlass and relay seem OK.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Similar story 2022 R31CB. Boat at slip in Marina with nobody aboard deposited 50' of chain on foredeck but stopped where chain and rope rode meet. Windlass still works. "Up" foot switch still works. Up and down windlass controls at helm still work. "Down" foot switch does not work. Going to replace both foot switches, keep the old "up" switch for emergency spare. Curious to know why the switch failed as it did, first on and then off, but glad the windlass and relay seem OK.

It likely got wet and shorted out. The switch only carries enough amps to activate the solenoid so wet contacts could do it.

 

[zzr7ky]

My switch failed because of sun/age cracked under cover allowing water intrusion from top. Both switches looked good from the sealed bottom.

 

[Kemo Sabay]

Similar story 2022 R31CB. Boat at slip in Marina with nobody aboard deposited 50' of chain on foredeck but stopped where chain and rope rode meet. Windlass still works. "Up" foot switch still works. Up and down windlass controls at helm still work. "Down" foot switch does not work. Going to replace both foot switches, keep the old "up" switch for emergency spare. Curious to know why the switch failed as it did, first on and then off, but glad the windlass and relay seem OK.

Update: just replaced both foot switches with new Lewmar parts. Defender had them in stock. When I went to replace, I found that the old, presumably original, switches were secured by a single screw and were not bedded with caulk. That means water has been leaking around the deck plate and running over the part of the switch that lives under the deck. That may account for the early failure. I bedded the new switches properly with 3 screws each and some 4200. Other RT owners may want to glance at their foot switches to be sure they are properly secured. If not, a couple of short #8 or #6 stainless screws and a bead of caulk might save you some future grief.