Switch to turn on the anchor windlass

[Bluenose]

Hi again, I am not able to find the windlass switch on my Beneteau 331. It is a Lewmar, factory installed when the PO purchased it. Any suggestions?

The folks I bought it from showed me a switch in the aft cabin above the two red and the black switch, but that does not do it...I believe that is a master for the whole boat.

Thanks!

 

[Ron20324]

If may well be on the pannel by the red/blacks. A smaller switch, it is probably actually a circuit breaker. Dealer installed, or by an owner, it could be ANYWHERE

 

[Bluenose]

Yes, it's right by the red/blacks. I tried it but no luck, but I have read elsewhere that the motor must be running, which it wasn't. Does that sound right?

 

[jssailem]

@Bluenose The anchor windlass is a BIG power draw. Running the engine uses the power of the alternator to support the batteries in their attempt to drive the windlass.
Running the motor will not give you power at the windlass if the breaker is off. You need follow the wires to the switch and be sure the system is ON.
This may mean you also have to turn the general battery switch on.
Best of luck. Perhaps there are Beneteau owners in your marina that could lend you a hand if it is overwhelming.

 

[Davidasailor26]

The way Beneteau wires the windlass you probably do need to have the engine running, or at least the key on, for the windlass to function. The breaker there near the battery switches is probably the right one, so just stay the engine and you should be fine.

 

[Ron20324]

This is probably what your switch panel looks like. By the way, the stringer behind the switch panel is maybe 6 inches wide athwartships? At the aft side of that stringer you can custom fit a little bulkhead to keep things in the cubby behind it from hitting your switches. I used that added panel to mount the battery/Victron monitor. I believe the windlass breaker/switch is on the left.

 

[BigEasy]

IF it was factory installed, there is a breaker switch,for the windlass only, next to the main battery switches in aft berth. The windlass breaker should be switched on as well as the starter and house battery banks. The engine should be running when operating the windlass. There should be a hand held control and power cord that plugs into a power receptacle mounted in the anchor locker. Be careful when plugging the power cord into the receptacle, It is indexed and only fits one way; the pins are very fragile and break easily. The pins should be coated with dielectric grease to prevent corrosion & to aid with removal & insertion. If that doesn’t do it, there is an inline fuse in the fore peak where the windlass motor is located, check that this fuse is ok. Let us know the results.

 

[NYSail]

Start engine, switch breaker and it will work.

Greg

 

[Bluenose]

Yes, all this sounds good and I'll let you know. And thanks about the dielectric grease tip.

 

[Mechone]

on the 351 the engine does not have to be running and the breaker is inside a foot locker next to aft berth factory installed.

 

[Ron20324]

I can use the windlass with the engine off, but always use it with engine on. My thought was a panic in the middle of the night might call for instant anchor retieval, which I can do from the vee hatch.. Someone else can start the engine in the process.