Electric Windlass tripping Breaker

[rfrye1]

My electric winch on my Hunter H376 is starting to "trip" the 150 amp breaker while raising our large main sail. No other issues with the electric winch during normal use on the other lines.

My first inclination is to replace the breaker. The breaker is original equipment and about 11-12 years old. Any other suggestions??

Thanks. Bob

 

[Nik]

Bob,

You say starting to trip...
Does it trip all the time with your main, or just randomly?
Yes, it may be a case of your breaker getting old; contacts, oxidation etc.. marine environment.
Or, is it possible that the Main sail is binding some place on its way up? That could also cause an overload.
What else do you use this windlass for and how do those loads compare to the Main?
How is the wiring that feeds it, has anything changed, possible connections or corrosion issues?
Just a few other things to consider...

Nik

 

[Ron20324]

While you're at it, check the size of the wire feeding the winch and pick your new breaker size accordingly.

 

[Bill Roosa]

MAY be short in motor windings

Or it could be a short in one of the winch motor windings. Since the windings are taken in and out of the circuit as the motor runs the circuit will support the momentary short as that winding is engaged under low load and the motor is turning fast but not support it when under heavy load and the motor is turning more slowly.
Is the main sail the heaviest load the winch sees?
The reason the motor can support a short in one winding while turning fast is the inductance in the winding keeps current from rushing in. If the winding sees the connection only momentarily when turning fast that inductance makes the short act like a "long". When turning slowly the current has a chance to build up to full load as it is engaged longer under high load and low speed.

FWIW I don't think I've ever seen corrosion cause too much current to flow and trip a breaker. Only a short or bad breaker can do that.