Helia 44: Electric Winches and Breakers

[Jelani]

Our primary electric winch stopped working while hoisting our mainsail. I tried to find the breaker for the winch without luck. I was told that I should check the 12 volt service breaker witch was ok. Seems that if the winch got overloaded it would trip out all the 12volt service . The windlass has its own breaker why not the winch? Am I overlooking something? If the electric winch failed how difficult will it be to replace?

[stimpsonjcat]

It might be at the motor.

Do you have an amp meter clamp? Is there current if you try to run it?

Some 'motors' have a breaker at the motor.

Or it is possible the 12V service only powers the coil for a contactor at (or in) the winch. That could have failed if present.

[jibstay]

Is it a Lewmar? If it is, it probably has an electronic control box hidden somewhere.

[Dsanduril]

This is from a 2013 Helia, seems like you would have seen it if you found the windlass breaker, but sometimes it can be the forest for the trees, so posting just in case it helps.