Runaway Windlass

[Ainokea]

This past weekend we were anchored behind a nice sandbar enjoying the weather and watching the holiday boating traffic flow by in the channel. I was talking to someone about the tug when we heard a noise coming from the boat . I at first thought that I had inadvertently bumped a faucet before I left and what I heard was the water pump in its death throes. Jumped into dinghy and motored over to tug when I saw the windlass spinning away. Fortunately I use a anchor keeper on the chain which takes the strain of the anchor load off the windlass or the boat would of ended up in the sand. Got on boat and turned windlass/thruster batt switch off. Went into boat and on bow to check that all the switches did not have anything resting on them and the covers were done. They were free and the bow switches cover were down. I also operated all the switches . Turned windlass/thruster battery switch back on and windlass started to operate again. Repeated above steps. This time windlass did not operate on its own. Back to bow and used bow switches to operate windlass and retrieve all the rode back. Sat on boat for an hour with battery switch on waiting to see if the windlass gremlins would reappear. Everything was normal. I turned battery switch off and went back to sandbar. The next day we were leaving. Turned battery switch back on and retrieved anchor. I then tied the anchor to bow cleat in case the gremlins would reappear . Motored our way back to marina. About 1 hour in to trip the gremlins reared their heads and the windlass started to run. Fortunately the anchor was secured so the only thing done was some chain was dumped on deck. I went below to v berth and tripped the windlass breaker since I would need thrusters later. H

Has anyone had this happen before? I am thinking that it is bad switch but could it be a relay?

Frank

 

[knotflying]

There is a relay that Lewmar refers to as a contactor box. I would say it is either one of the switches or the box. Here is contact info for Lewmar I am sure they can point you in the right direction. I have heard that they are pretty helpful.
Lewmar Inc . I guess the good part is that the windless is letting line out and not pulling it in!

351 New Whitfield Street
Guilford
Connecticut 06437, USA
Tel: 2034586200
Fax: 2034535669

 

[Ainokea]

Thanks for the info . I will give them a call and post info and fix.

 

[circusmar]

I guess the good part is that the windless is letting line out and not pulling it in!

I have considered wiring a master switch for this exact reason. kind of like double verification before emptying your computer's trash - "Are you sure you want to delete the file: All my pictures"...

 

[Ainokea]

From now on I will secure the anchor to a bow cleat until I am ready to use. There are draw backs either way

 

[walldog]

From now on I will secure the anchor to a bow cleat until I am ready to use. There are draw backs either way

I have a cleat at the windlass. I always secure the rode to the cleat whether anchored or under way, and then release the tension on the windlass. What drawbacks do you see with securing rode to a cleat? This is how I was taught to anchor...never depending on the windlass to hold the rode.

 

[Ainokea]

Walldog

The windlass was not absorbing the tension. I had a hook in the chain with a line attached to it and cleated to the bow. I then slacked the chain from the windlass to the hook allowing the line and hook to absorb tension. The drawback I was pointing to was if you had the anchor secured to the cleat while stowed and underway, if you were operating in a narrow confined space and you suddenly lost thrust then being quickly able to drop the anchor could alleviate damage to you or others. However if you do not have the anchor secured when stowed and under way and the windlass suddenly decides to operate uncommanded then this too could result in some fast foot work as you would have to jump into v berth and trip breaker. You might be able to interrupt the movement with the helm switch in the opposite position. Don't know..

Frank

 

[knotflying]

I have a short line tied to my bow cleat with a caribiner clip that I put through one of the chain links to secure the anchor when under way or towing.

 

[baz]

I have a short line tied to my bow cleat with a caribiner clip that I put through one of the chain links to secure the anchor when under way or towing.

Diito for me also... per Capt. Mac's advice some time ago. However, I understand Ainokea's concern with this method as it means extra time is needed for lowering the anchor for dealing with an emergency as he mentions.

The only other way I can think of for dealing with Ainokea's concern is to have a line attached to a quick release pin that holds the chain securely to the boat and have this line routed back to just below the Helmsman's window and held there with a caribiner clip. In an emergency the helmsman can reach out of the window and yank the line to release the 'quick release pin'. Just a thought...

 

[Ainokea]

Hi Baz

Also thought of that. Either way has a plus and a minus and as a CPT you must decide as to what is best for your waters. I tend to operate in skinny waterways and busy marinas with strong tidal flows. Others don't . I plan on fixing the flaw and continuing on. Just was a thought process of many what ifs that others may want to think about, the best way to learn is from others and put that experience into play if it ever happens to you. As I would tell my students.. Always plan for the unexpected.

Feank

 

[wefings]

Frank,Cathy , only 2 reasons that would happen . Bad control switch or bad relay . Relays are the workhorses of that system . They can stick closed .The windlass answers their call. Probably prudent and not too expensive to change all . The bow switces are the most exposed , helm switch is a smaller possibility and control circuit relay could have burnt contacts .
My humble input......
Marc

 

[knotflying]

Marc,
Out of curiosity, where is the control box/relay usually located?

 

[Ainokea]

Hi Marc! Good to hear from you. I figure it will be a relay or the bow switch. If I remember right the relays are mounted behind the helm station? There 2 relays in behind there. I think I saw the wires from the dash mounted rocker switch going to them. I will call Lewmar tech support this week

Thanks

Frank

 

[Ainokea]

Well I finally got the time to replace the windlass foot switches on the bow. Not too difficult once I found the factory run wires. Spent 48 hours on the boat with power on and had no further incidents. My back is glad to have the windlass back.....!

Frank