T&T: Windlass problems

[Jim Boyd]

Problem:  When retrieving my anchor the breaker frequently trips.  I am
careful to not use the windlass to pull the boat to the anchor and try to
have the chain/rode slack when operating the windlass but it still trips.

My 42 ft Californian is equipped with an Ideal horizontal windlass, model
CWM with 40 ft of 5/16 BBB chain and 150 ft of rode attached to a 33 lb#
Danforth anchor.  The windlass is operated by a single (up only) foot switch
near the windlass and is powered by one of the starting batteries and is
controlled by a double throw breaker in the panel on the saloon.  It's like
the Keystone Kops running from the bow of the boat down to the saloon, back
to the bow of the boat and repeat the process.

I have cleaned the terminals on the windlass and made sure it was lubricated
as per Ideal instructions but it still trips the breakers.

The wire run from the batteries to the windlass is about 25 ft (if run in a
straight line- which it is not)

I have considered that the existing wire was perhaps, too small for the
amount of current needed to run this 20 year old windlass.

One thought I had was to install another battery closer to the windlass
(about 5 ft) and use the existing wire from the battery to the windlass and
use it as the wire to charge the new battery. 

Any other options to consider?

Jim Boyd
Lark
42 ft Californian