Adding a windlass helm switch?

[geoffm70]

I've got a '94 3200, the windlass only has foot switches at the bow. Has anyone added a rocker switch control at the helm? Must be possible right?

I single hand frequently, know where I'm anchoring always, but a few times after I pull the anchor, even in just a light breeze, while bringing it up, I've come too close to other boats or hazards. (worst was in False Creek in Vancouver with multimillion dollar yachts all around)

Hate the stress while waiting for the anchor to raise, the boat is called Therapy for a reason!

[mmwjr]

Easy enough after running the wires. The helm switch will just be wired in parallel to the foot switches. You will need a center off monetary on off on. New wire marine sells them. Here’s an example.

https://newwiremarine.com/product/wi...ch-contura-ii/

[geoffm70]

got to find the solenoid now!

[mmwjr]

Yup. Mostly it’s near the windlass since you only have foot pedals. Try following the wires from them.

[geoffm70]

i like being able to see the anchor come up, but sometimes its dangerous if alone.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by geoffm70

i like being able to see the anchor come up, but sometimes its dangerous if alone.

That’s the nice thing about my Silverton, I can see the anchor from the flybridge. Also have foot pedals.

[geoffm70]

spent a couple hours looking for the solenoid, couldn't find it. there's a power supply switch looks from factory under the helm. i hope its not behind the helm wall, how the heck do you get in there, take the cabin apart?

[geoffm70]

Originally Posted by geoffm70

spent a couple hours looking for the solenoid, couldn't find it. there's a power supply switch looks from factory under the helm. i hope its not behind the helm wall, how the heck do you get in there, take the cabin apart?

not all was lost however, I did manage to fix my cabin speakers which haven't worked since I got her almost 4 years ago!

[mmwjr]

Can you post a picture of the windlass wire connections? Did you look in the anchor locker?

[geoffm70]

Inside the anchor locker is the motor, and foot controls. And the speakers for the cabin, this is how I fixed them. See the windlass cables run down the port side, then I loose them somewhere in the kitchen.

[mmwjr]

Have someone active the foot pedals while you are in the cabin to listen for the contactor closing.

[geoffm70]

I think I found the windlass solenoid, but how to access?!?

I removed the velcroid trim, then the upper screws on the bulkhead above the mid-cabin entrance. I could see inside and I think its on the back of the on/off control switch under the helm and fuses (picture attached).

But, how do I remove that bulkhead completely (again, wall above mid-cabin entrance)? Does the curtain, curtain track hide some magic screws?

[mmwjr]

I don’t think that’s it. It should look like this picture. The large terminals are for the windlass power and the small terminals are for control, foot pedals and helm switch.

[geoffm70]

I'll keep searching.

[shrew]

I would put money that the solenoid is NOT behind the helm. Think about what a solenoid is doing. You have a large draw from the battery to an electric motor. You don't want to run a large 1/0 cable all the way to the switch on the helm. That switch would also need to be sized to carry the high amp draw.

Instead you install a remotely actuated switch (solenoid) that can handle large cables and high draw. You run a small low amp circuit to the switch at the helm. The switch at the helm closes the electromagnetic gate on the remote high amperage switch. When that remote switch is closed, the circuit is completed and the high amp draw device is actuate. That remote switch IS the solenoid.

So you can see why it would make no sense to put the solenoid behind the helm.


I would expect there to be a control box up by the windlass. Basically, follow wires from the foot switches. They should lead directly to the solenoid.

[geoffm70]

thank you Shrew, back to the boat to resume the hunt.

[geoffm70]

Spent several hours looking, and torn the boat apart, even pulled the fridge. Cant find it. Only place I haven't looked is behind the cabin trim held on by the rubrail. Can it be in the windlass itself? its a Lofrans windlass, trying to find an installation manual.

[geoffm70]

should have done this 1st. there is no solenoid, found a wiring diagram that shows it can hook up without one.

[mmwjr]

Looks like the contactor is internal to the windlass.