Windlass.... engine on

[NYSail]

happy new year all!

So general question. Just got my custom winter cover and will be putting it on this week.... hopefully will get there before the Thursday “winter event”. I have to remove my anchor and that means taking a little tension off with windlass. However, beneteau wired it so it does not work without engine on. So my question is: does it work with just the ignition turned on or does engine have to be actually running to have windlass work?? I kept meaning to try this last summer........
I will get anchor off regardless (muscle it off) but figured I’d ask.

Thanks!
Greg

 

[Benny17441]

If the batteries are fully charged I do not so why the windlass would not work with just the key switch turned to On. I don't quite understand why the solenoid to the windlass would be incorporated into the key switch circuit but it seems the French are obsessed with electrical switches.

 

[dlochner]

Generally it is recommended to operate the windlass only when the engine is running because the windlass motor draws a lot of current. With the engine running, the alternator is providing the electricity along with the batteries. Beneteau probably wired it this way to prevent operating the windlass without the engine running and charging the batteries.

It may work with the key switched on. If it doesn't then just lower the anchor by hand or put the windlass in the manual mode (if it has one) and lower it. Dropping it will be easy, gravity is working for you!

 

[Davidasailor26]

I also think it will work with just the ignition on, at least enough to ease the tension. Having said that I would probably just ease the clutch and manually back it off.

 

[seadaddler]

I agree should work with key on and well charged batteries,not bad idea but say emergency at anchor
and I some times go up to bow and check things out and some times pull in chain to just remove snubber
but I guess you need to start motor before hand or turn key on.
I do always run engine when when pulling in anchor but some times after anchoring and relaxing with a beverage
and after time gone by and sure anchor is holding will go back to setup snubber by letting out more chain.
Sounds like I would need to run engine very long time.
Nick

 

[Gunni]

Your windlass gypsy will have a clutch that you can loosen and the rode will free-fall. Control the rate with the clutch tension. A nice winter project would be to jump the windlass power supply to your house battery bank so that you have power when you want it - like sailing off anchor. Use the 90 amp windlass breaker to disconnect power when the windlass is not needed.

 

[Ron20324]

The Benny's in the charter companies almost always need the engine running to use the windlass, and that makes sense. I installed my windlass, and thought if you hoist the anchor, you'd want to be able to move the boat- especially when backing to the rocks! Of course, if you are sailing off the hook, you don't need the engine. You can rewire yours to work without the key on. I have an up/down switch at the helm, but wired it so you have to switch on the cockpit light to feed it. That prevents people hitting the switch while asking what it is for. You can pick up 12 volts in the helm pod to operate the windlass solenoid. One additional reason to have the engine running (not on land) is that it may take several attempts to anchor, or you may have to move to another location- and it eats up the amps you want to use when anchored.

 

[NYSail]

Your windlass gypsy will have a clutch that you can loosen and the rode will free-fall. Control the rate with the clutch tension. A nice winter project would be to jump the windlass power supply to your house battery bank so that you have power when you want it - like sailing off anchor. Use the 90 amp windlass breaker to disconnect power when the windlass is not needed.

So I assume once I loosen the “nut” it should free fall..... just need a bump out of it. I do feel the instillation being tied to engine is a bit too much. I see issue if engine dies and have to quickly anchor.... what then? My windlass does not have the emergency manual over ride.... figure another toy on the “horizon”

 

[Gunni]

I would be very surprised if you have a windlass gypsy on a 12 ton boat that cannot be unclutched. If you do you definitely need to get that fixed.

 

[NYSail]

Never attempted and manual (that I have) does not say anything about unclutching gypsy. Turned out cover was made for anchor in place so did not touch today.... put new cover on in 25 degrees before the storm. Great fit, great cover, great company... said 4 weeks delivery and delivered! Refreshing!! North shore canvas, East Northport, NY.

 

[JamesG161]

does not say anything about unclutching gypsy

Mine is a Reverse direction by manual handle. Mine has a specific number of turns in Reverse to release the gypsy.
Jim...

 

[Terry Cox]

Our original 1991 Maxwell is electric up and manual drop. I always pay it both ways by hand. Also, I always operate the windlass when the engine is running, whether manually or electric, as a safety precaution. So, no answer here whether it will operate under load with the engine/ignition off. A preference here to make sure the engine is running in the event that I get the anchor up and the engine fails to start. In the past I have operated the windlass with the engine/ignition off when I was doing some maintenance on it while in the slip.