Reply To: Windlass not working in 34e

#457999
Paul Shaddick

    Check you have switched the breaker/fuse on, easily forgotten after not using it for 6 months.
    Locate the windlass control box, it will be somewhere at the front of the fore cabin, maybe behind a removable panel. It will be accessible as they do go.
    Once you’ve found it, stick a test meter on and check that it is getting 13ish volts.
    See the attached picture, yours may be slightly different but they are all pretty much the same. Test between the +ve stud and the central -ve spade connector for voltage. If ok, then go up on deck and dismantle either the up or down push buttons and put your test probes across the contacts. Again you are looking for 13ish volts.
    If no voltage in either of these tests then, on my boat there is a relay that is closed when when breaker is switched on. This has connected to it a 75a (I think it is 75 without checking the manual) fuse. Locate and test the fuse by setting your meter to continuity, it should provide the4 continuity buzz, beep, or whatever your meter uses to show continuity. If the fuse is OK, then you’ll need to check the relay. There will be smallish wires coming into it from the breaker switch/fuse and larger wires going to the windlass control box. You need to test for voltage across the large wire/s coming out. The relay is just an electronic switch, because the current going across it will be quite large, power to the windlass cant come from a simple switch (it would burn out the wiring or switch).
    All these components should be shown in your manual. I’m not familiar with the 34e but this is really just a generic description.
    Oh and also check for loose, poor, or corroded contacts at the control box.

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