Windless on a 2019 R23

[stinson]

Hi guys,

I'm getting ready to launch my R23 and I am still having issues with my windless.

I got it to work once, when I relieved tension on the chain but never again.

I have the house, thruster and engine switches on and get the rocker on the dash to illuminate when pressed. The Windless breaker in the head in not thrown (I pressed the test button and pushed the arm back up). The deck switches do nothing as well. I see in the windless manual it shows a "Contactor Box" but cant find it.

I tried to stab the two wires at the windless and got about 1.2V when I pressed the deck switches. Not sure how it worked once but this doesn't seem right. I was able to spin the motor by hand thinking it might have a dead spot that that didn't help either.

Any thoughts?

jim

 

[Capt’nKarl]

When you press either switch on the deck or the helm windless switch you should be able to hear the solenoid (connector) click. If you don’t hear that click you either have an electrical issue or bad switches.
Karl

 

[stinson]

Thanks Karl,

Totally agree that is what is not happening. Where are the solenoids located? Are they in the helm electrical panel or in the windless itself? I got it to work once when I released tension on it manually, it then worked as it should but not when I returned several days later. Releasing tension jarred the windless so I'm wondering if the connections inside the windless are loose/corroded. Jim

 

[BB marine]

During the SWF Rendezvous 2021 Mike Rizzo and I troubleshot the same issue on a 2019 R23. The solenoid and breaker are located in the cabinet in the head area ( bulkhead between the helm and head. The first check is the connection at the windless breaker 12V yes/no, next control solenoid check voltage at the line side of solenoid yes/no, check voltage at the load side of the solenoid up and the down yes/ no ( this test requires activating the switch at the helm or on the bow. confirm you have 12V at each terminal.If all the these checks ar confirmed then check voltage at the wires going into the windless 12V yes/no Using a VOA meter check Voltage at each connection from the breaker, control solenoid, then windless. Inspect all connections. through a process of elimination you will find the culprit.

The boat we were troubleshooting it was determined that the windless had failed. This determination was made by checking the system from the battery to the windless and everything in between. Start from the source of power and end at the user. This is the best was to find where the issue is.

 

[stinson]

Okay went outside and it worked again! I do hear the solenoids this time behind the dash. I'll exercise it a bit and it happens again I'll go after the contactor box.

Thanks again,

jim

 

[nboyer]

Hello Jim - I have a 2020 R23 and had the same symptoms with my windlass. There is a carpet-padded access cover in the head, behind the helm. I removed it to gain access to the power bus behind it and discovered that a hot cable feeding the power bus to be very loose. I've tightened it and all other nuts on the bus and have not had a problem, well, at least not yet. Cheers. -Norm

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Have you checked that the clutch is tight? It’s probably not this but if the clutch is loose the windlass will not work properly. There should have been a clutch wrench in the manual bag that came with the boat new.

Jim

 

[Capt’nKarl]

Good morning Jim. When you say “it worked” did it work from the helm station or one of the deck switches? On my 23 the helm switch always worked but the down deck switch was wishy-washy and I determined that the switch was bad. You do need to check all the electrical connectors in the chain locker to make sure they are ok. It’s possible the chain could have hit the wiring and caused a connection issue. Good luck !
Karl

 

[stinson]

Thanks to all. Today....not working so I'm going in!! I believe all the switches work and it's the relay box. Being a EE I believe solenoids either work or don't but not intermittently so I'm starting to believe the issue might be a loose connection. A not so tight connection will fail under high current so it starting to smell like this is the issue. I do see the thermal breaker but not the relay box, I'll look again.

jim

 

[stinson]

I have asked the dealer where the "contactor box" as Lewmar calls it and he is not sure himself. I see the thermal breaker is behind the helm but have not found the relay box (as I call it). Anyone know where this is in a 2019 R23? jim

 

[stinson]

The dealer just sent me an image of the location.....behind the Yamaha control panel.

Thanks guys. Time to tighten some contacts.

jim

 

[Kevin Lamont]

The dealer just sent me an image of the location.....behind the Yamaha control panel.

Thanks guys. Time to tighten some contacts.

jim

Hey Jim,

Sounds like you are on the right path to solving this issue and would like to hear what you end up finding. One thing I didn't see anyone mention is, when it is "working" are you plugged into shore power? When is isn't working are you disconnected from shore power? Just want to make sure you don't have a weak battery that causes a loss in voltage up to the windlass. Sounds like you might find a loose connection but just wanted to put my .02 cents in. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

 

[tjiann]

Having the exact same issues with the Windlass on my 2017 R23 now, so following this thread for advice and will run the checks today. Thanks.

 

[stinson]

Thanks for all the help guys.

Problem was one of the yellow wires seemed to have an intermittent connection on the relay box. When I carefully pushed on each wire one got the thing to work. I took it off and tightened the crimp a bit and it seems to be working.

Thanks again to all, this is a great site!

jim