Lewmar Electronic Winch Issue

[Eleanor Q]

Hello,

I have developed a problem with my Model # 44 Ocean Electric Winch. The winch worked fine up in till last week

For some reason, the winch stops about one second after I press the switch. It will do this every time I press the switch. I have tested the power source and I have 12 volts in and out of the breaker and the control box. I have 12 volts to the motor terminals for the second when the switch is pressed.

Can anyone help?

My boat is a Gozzard 41 and it is located in Annapolis Maryland.

Thank you,

Frank

[btrayfors]

Could be a bad switch. Could be a motor problem. Could be a relay/contactor problem. Could be a corrosion problem.

How much voltage do you measure at the winch after it stops (with the button still pressed)?

Bill

[donradcliffe]

Good time to use a clamp-on DC ammeter on one of the wires to the winch. If the current goes up when the winch stops, its a mechanical jam. If it drops when the winch stops, its an electrical problem.

[Eleanor Q]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Bill, the voltage spikes to 12 volts as it should and goes to zero after a second with the switch pressed. If I release and push the switch immediately it will do the same thing indefently. This is all with or without a load so it apperas to be an electric issue!

Thanks

[zeehag]

connections and battery condition. cut off switch for low battery involved..

[Eleanor Q]

Battery connections are all good and I get 12 volts to the motor. I’m thinking the problem may be in the control box (but I don’t know what) or possibly something to do with the “thermal cut off.”

[btrayfors]

How do you know that it's "with or without a load"? Did you take one of the wires off the winch and measure voltage with button pressed?

I'd double-check to be sure that all connections -- including the lugs on the battery cables -- are clean and tight.

If all's well, then I'd begin to suspect the contactor (relay) itself. You could be getting a momentary 12V reading because it doesn't take more than a tiny bit of current to drive the voltmeter, but when the load comes on (the winch motor) the contactor can't handle it. Or, maybe the contactor points are badly corroded.

If you want to be sure it's not the winch itself, you could hook up a 12V source directly to the motor, with appropriate fusing or breaker, just momentarily to see if it spins OK.

My bet, though, is something in the contactor or control box.

Bill

[Eleanor Q]

Bill,

When I say no load, I mean the winch spinning freely and under load means with a strain on the winch (sheet/halyard etc.)
I’ll start messing with the contacts in the control box!

[donradcliffe]

Its starting to sound like the problem is a protective circuit--if the thermal cutout is a normally closed switch, then a bad connection in that circuit might provide your symptoms. I'b be looking for a small wire or wires going from the motor to the control box.

[Lombo]

Did you solve the problem? One of my electric primary winches started to do exactly the same think today. Any input on what your issue was would be appreciated.

Thanks
Marc

[Eleanor Q]

Originally Posted by Lombo

Did you solve the problem? One of my electric primary winches started to do exactly the same think today. Any input on what your issue was would be appreciated.

Thanks
Marc

Hey Marc,

I did get it fixed. It was actually an easy fix once I found out the problem. My problem was a failed “control box.” Something burnt out in the box! I replaced the box and it has been working perfectly ever since.

Good luck and let me know if I can help!

Frank

Eleanor Q

[Lombo]

Frank,

What troubleshooting activities led you to the control box? How hard was it to find a replacment control box?

Thanks

Marc

Contessa

[Eleanor Q]

Marc,

If I remember, I simply tested (with a multi meter/volts) the contacts going from the box to the motor while pushing the button. I had nothing at the motor but did have 12 volts coming to the box.

Keep me posted.

Frank

[Stumble]

If you have 12v going to the winch when the button is first pressed, and then after a second it stops getting to the winch, then it is almost always either the solonoid if you have one, or the control box.

The big problem is when you get a constant current to the winch, but it doesn't turn.

[northwestsailor]

Sorry to revive this old thread but I have a slightly different problem with my Lewmar electric winch.

Mine, when it works, will work fine with a load until it sounds like it is loading up ie straining a bit with the furler line. Then it shuts off. No predicable amount of time must pass before it mysteriously will start working again when the button is pushed. Everything looks clean and well put together with no obvious corrosion.

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions or comments would be most welcome.