T&T: Windless Problems

[Jim Boyd]

Ken
I purchased Lark in Dec 07.  It has periodically tripped the breaker when
retrieving the anchor since purchase.  Sometimes it works just fine - others
- not so fine.  The breaker is located in the master panel but is much
different than your typical DC breaker.  The windlass breaker is a double
throw 12DCV heavy duty breaker located separately (but in the panel) from
the other DC breakers.  Several members of this list all pointed to this
breaker as a starting point and listed several other checks including the
foot switch.  I did clean most of the connections ( the easy to get to) but
some on the list felt this was not enough - that I should re-do the
connectors especially if they were several years old and exposed to the
elements.  Even if I discover that the breaker is the problem, redoing the
connectors seems like good preventive maintenance and I do have all winter
to tinker.

Jim Boyd
"Lark"
42 Californian LRC


Well, if it worked before & trips now, something has changed... If U have
cleaned & Tightened ALL the high & low current connections, I would suspect
a
weak breaker, ( U have checked the connections on the back of the
breaker)...
It is unusual to have a bow thruster that is fed from a breaker rather than
a
fuse due to the high ampacity of the breaker required... We are assuming
that
this is a DC. either 12 or 24 DCV. powered unit.. This breaker  would be
huge.. Are U sure that the low side of the contactor which sends power to
the
foot switch is not on the breaker instead of the heavy side of the
contactor?
If it is, I would suspect a bad contactor, with weak springs....Please
Clarify...

Ken Ongemach BSEE
Tampa, FL