Anchor Winch Sets Off Battery Alarm

[jaramanpotter]

For many years anchor winch performed well with engine at about 1200rpm. Fitted a new alternator and seemed to need more like 1500rpm or battery alarm would sound but batteries getting older. Now we have replaced batteries and when anchor winch under max load - 25kg anchor/3/8thchain and 16mt water the battery alarm sounded even with 2000rpm. We are short handed so it is difficult to be at the winch and the amp meter at the same time

[wingless]

Is there a question?

If the batteries are good and the alarm is sounding when it should not then has the windlass been maintained and have the connections been checked for voltage drop?

[djmarchand]

It depends on where the battery alarm sensor wires are connected. If they are connected at the battery terminals then the windlass is pulling the voltage low at the batteries and the alternator is not able to put out enough amps to compensate.

I doubt if it a bad connection between the windlass and the battery because the voltage at the batteries is low- assuming the above.

Look at your new alternator. That seems like the culprit.

David

[Amnesia II]

What size alt output? Are alt cables wire size big enough to carry load. Are alt cables direct to batteries, and what size battery bank?


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[jaramanpotter]

To all who have replied to my post, I thank you. We have been off the air for a week or so! We found a loose wire from the regulator [latest problem]; before that found batteries had been incorrectly connected after work done which resulted in a multitude of charging/voltage anomalies over some time. This work was done by ''professionals'' at Yacht Help in Fiji. Beware!