Windlass question - where to mount selonoid.

[Chris & Lenore]

Picked up a windlass for our Aloha 32 and noticed the instructions said to mount the solenoid pack close to the windlass (but not in the chain locker).
Every other windlass that I looked at said the same thing regarding solenoid placement.

On my boat, it far easier to mount it in the battery or engine compartment (it is ignition protected). Would there be any problem mounting it there instead?

The cable gauge is the same from the motor to the pack as it is from the pack to the battery - so there is no electrical/current drop issue that I can see.
Mounting it further aft also reduces the length of control cables as I only have a helm station and wireless remote (no foot switches up front - so the only control wiring to the pack comes from aft).

I was just curious if there is any reason I should mount it up front - since all brands specify that.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[All U Get]

If you anchor in muck and need to use a wash-down pump, then up front would make sense. You would also get a nice morning shower when its windy. If you like to single hand and would prefer to be at the helm when deploying, then switch at the helm would be nice.

All U Get

 

[Ron20324]

... The cable gauge is the same from the motor to the pack as it is from the pack to the Battery...

I can't help but wonder how come the cables on both sides of the relay are the same size. "Usually" the cables hardwired into the windlass are smaller (#10?) due to sorter (<3 feet?) distance to the relay. From battery to relay should considerably larger- #2 at least. What size do you have?

 

[Chris & Lenore]

I can't help but wonder how come the cables on both sides of the relay are the same size. "Usually" the cables hardwired into the windlass are smaller (#10?) due to sorter (<3 feet?) distance to the relay. From battery to relay should considerably larger- #2 at least. What size do you have?

You nailed it! It has #10 from the motor (not sure how/why I thought it was larger). The instructions call for #3 from the battery to the solenoid ( 50 foot total loop).

Now the challenge will be where to mount it. Instructions call for a dry location (even though it's sealed). The only place I can see is the underside of the deck in the chain/rode locker area. Once the weather warms up I'm sure I'll figure it out.

I'll definitely be adding a washdown. This is our first boat with a substantial amount of chain - I had no idea how much "muck" it picks up.

Chris

 

[Benny17441]

*

 

[All U Get]

Or get one of these and go wireless.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|2276108|2276149|2276154&id=1485973

Maybe that would cause more heartache.

All U Get

 

[jlp0217]

You could still mount it aft and use #3 wire from the solenoid to the #10 wire (or better to the motor if it has lugs). Fuse for the #10 if you keep it.

 

[Gunni]

Drill through the bulkhead (up high, just under the deck) and mount it on the fore cabin wall. Run the cables through a deck seal fitting for chafe and water seal.

 

[Scotty C-M]

I did as Gunni suggested. After it was mounted in the bulkhead, I built a box around the unit. Because there was a fuse, I made the box easy to open. It was teak, and looked just fine tucked up under the forepeak.