Lewmar windlass issue

[2savage]

The pilothouse rocker switch has progressively failed over the past few days. First it would not launch the anchor. Now there is no function either up or down.

The bow foot controls continue to operate as normal. Where do I start?

 

[Capt’nKarl]

I think I’d start by pulling the switch from the panel to check the connections. If the connections are good I’d either pull another rocker switch (like the anchor/nav light switch) to test it or just order a new rocker switch from Amazon . You can get a switch for about $20 bucks.

 

[Ralf H]

hi 2savage,

Capt'nKarl has it right. The problem appears to be with the switch itself. Check to make sure all connections are good on the back of the switch, and if so, you most likely need a new switch. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ralf

 

[2savage]

OK, so I've ordered a replacement switch but I am sceptical.

I removed the three orange wires from the rear of the existing switch and used a thick piece of wire to bridge from the center wire to each of the other wires. Imagining the internal workings of the rocker, this should have completed the circuit but there was no action. No movement, no solenoid click. Nada. Zilch. I'll post again when I have the new switch in place.

 

[knotflying]

Check the connections at the solenoid.

 

[2savage]

And where would that be?

 

[Capt’nKarl]

On the R-23 the solenoid is located in the fuse box area in the head against the bulkhead. Probably the same on your boat. Have a person operate one of the bow switches while you look and listen inside the fuse box. You should be able to hear the click and locate the source.
Karl

 

[knotflying]

I am not sure where the solenoid is on the r-29. It could be located in the compartment of the bow thruster.

 

[2savage]

The problem is fixed. While looking into another problem I came across the solenoid/relay unit in the space above the hanging closet in the master suite. It was recognizable because of the heavy cables attached to it along with the orange wires, same orange as the pilot house anchor switch.

After some minor exploring I found corrosion on the orange wire terminals and once cleaned off all worked perfectly.