Anchor winch solenoid size

[doublebubble]

A question on anchor winch solenoids, what size reversing solenoid should be fitted to a 1200w reversing anchor winch motor, 100, 200, 500 amp? I believe the motor will draw 100amps alone but I may be wrong

Rod.

[Shrew]

What is the make and model of the windlass?

https://www.defender.com/search.html?q=solenoid

[doublebubble]

It is a replacement motor for our Nilsson V3000 anchor winch, the new motor is a Cima 12v 1200w, they supplied a 100amp reversing solenoid but we are having no end of issues running this motor with this solenoid, I believe the motor alone would draw 100amp.

Rod

[hpeer]

Hard to believe there is a significant downside to using a higher rated solenoid. Provided the operating currents are not widely different, and even then it might be OK.

I believe you could even use the right type of automotive solenoid, but you may need a pair.

[wrwakefield]

Watts/Volts = Amps

And I agree with hpeer, it doesn't hurt to use contacts rated at higher than needed amperage.

The actual relay will depend upon how many terminals the winch motor has. It varies from two to four from my experience.

Here is a reasonably priced 500A 12V DC solenoid activated relay as an example.

You can also get wireless remotes to activate the solenoids.

In case this helps.

Cheers! Bill

[doublebubble]

Could someone advise on a wiring diagram to suit this motor and reversing solenoid, no diagrams came with either unit that I'm able to work out, it has been wired up as one would expect then upon activation of the motor there is a massive current draw to the point that it nearly blacks out the boat, motor only connected with no winch gearbox or chain connected just the motor.

Rod.

[wrwakefield]

Originally Posted by doublebubble

Could someone advise on a wiring diagram to suit this motor and reversing solenoid, no diagrams came with either unit that I'm able to work out, it has been wired up as one would expect then upon activation of the motor there is a massive current draw to the point that it nearly blacks out the boat, motor only connected with no winch gearbox or chain connected just the motor.

Rod.

See the schematic with the relay I linked above for your 3 post motor.

If you are dimming the cabin lights with no load on that winch, you either have a poor wire connection somewhere, or severely undersized wires between batteries and the winch... (Not to mention possibility of a weak battery bank?)

Upon edit, it is also possible the motor and/or winch has bad bearings, causing a large load on the motor...

I hope this helps.

Cheers! Bill

[NevilleCat]

Maybe these could be useful?

[doublebubble]

Originally Posted by wrwakefield

See the schematic with the relay I linked above for your 3 post motor.

If you are dimming the cabin lights with no load on that winch, you either have a poor wire connection somewhere, or severely undersized wires between batteries and the winch... (Not to mention possibility of a weak battery bank?)

Upon edit, it is also possible the motor and/or winch has bad bearings, causing a large load on the motor...

I hope this helps.

Cheers! Bill

Thanks Bill, well the batteries are fine, undersize wires no, bad connection I don't think so, with the same wiring we wired back up the old motor and it works just fine, no over current no dimming of lights, put the new motor back in and all hell breaks loose, this motor is the second one sent to us in case of a motor issue but we have the same problem with the second motor.

[doublebubble]

Originally Posted by NevilleCat

Maybe these could be useful?

I'm unable to see a diagram here that match's what we have, three pole motor with a four pole solenoid, I have seen those diagrams. Thks.

Rod.

[wrwakefield]

Originally Posted by doublebubble

Thanks Bill, well the batteries are fine, undersize wires no, bad connection I don't think so, with the same wiring we wired back up the old motor and it works just fine, no over current no dimming of lights, put the new motor back in and all hell breaks loose, this motor is the second one sent to us in case of a motor issue but we have the same problem with the second motor.

How frustrating that must be.

Can you rotate the shaft by hand on the new motors? (before powering up) If not, then something has the armature braked and is causing full load to the power circuit. (Rotor is locked.)

If you can spin the motor shaft by hand (or perhaps with assistance from a pair of pliers if a permenent magnet motor) then I suspect a factory wiring issue inside the motor.

Have you compared voltage readings at the motor before and then at motor start-up? And do you have a way to measure amperage at motor start-up? (Inrush current would be best, but takes a professional volt-ohm meter...)

I once replaced a burned out light bulb with a new one. Still didn't work after trying another new bulb. Tested voltage at the socket. All good. New light bulbs were faulty... (i.e., The factory may have a batch of bad motors...)

I hope you get it worked out, and will be curious to learn what you discover.

Cheers! Bill

[hpeer]

Disconnect the motor, make sure the leads are clear (tape them over) then try again.

If at this point it repeats the problem is NOT your windlass but in the wiring.

If it repeats then also remove the negative wire from the battery ar the solonoid end.

Does it repeat now?

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Disconnect the motor, make sure the leads are clear (tape them over) then try again.

If at this point it repeats the problem is NOT your windlass but in the wiring.

If it repeats then also remove the negative wire from the battery ar the solonoid end.

Does it repeat now?

If it occurs with Windlass B, but Windlass A exhibits no issues, I think it is safe to suspect the variable (windlass) and not the constant (electrical circuit). Unless each windlass have vastly different requirements to begin with. But again, they would still be the variable.

[doublebubble]

Bypassing the solenoid and wire directly to the new motor the motor operates correctly in both directions, no overload and runs great, the old single direction motor connected through the new solenoid it works fine, connect the new motor through the new reversing solenoid and the motor will turn in both directions but that's when it basically blacks out the boat.

[hpeer]

Then you need a new solonide.

I have taken them apart and fixed them, but new is better.