Windlass solenoid

Lost Parent

Lost Parent

.
Jul 8, 2011
704
Catalina 30 Sidney B.C.
I am just installing my Lewmar V700 windlass and need to buy a dual direction solenoid.
My question is . A Lewmar solenoid runs over 100 dollars .
Has anyone considered using the same solenoid from a winch that is mounted on the front of a truck.
They sure look the same
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,907
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
It's about power handling capability, not looks. If your windlass draws 50 amps, you must use a solenoid that will handle that load. It shouldn't matter the manufacturer, but it must be appropriately rated for the application. Look in the windlass manual for the windlass specs. I would suggest that perhaps one designed for use around salt water might be a better choice here; it does suck to be changing out rusty parts every year or so.
 
C

cjm1

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Jul 10, 2013
41
custom Herreshoff 33 sloop Lake Charlevoix
I installed a 1500 series Maxwell vertical with the capstan five years ago. I decided against the solenoid and just let gravity do it's work lowering the anchor. We are running 120 Ft of 3/8 in chain and I really see no need of the power down function. The wiring is simple and less chance for a malfunction. I considered the solenoid like you mentioned and figured I could always add it if needed. I thought about the possibility of burning out the switch running that much current thru it but it is not a problem at all. Just my thoughts. John
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,907
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
cjm1 said:
I installed a 1500 series Maxwell vertical with the capstan five years ago. I decided against the solenoid and just let gravity do it's work lowering the anchor. We are running 120 Ft of 3/8 in chain and I really see no need of the power down function. The wiring is simple and less chance for a malfunction. I considered the solenoid like you mentioned and figured I could always add it if needed. I thought about the possibility of burning out the switch running that much current thru it but it is not a problem at all. Just my thoughts. John
Click to expand
Even with the free fall drop, I believe you must have a solenoid in your system, unless you are running battery cables to your switch. I don't think that running a windlass without a solenoid is acceptable practice.
 
C

cjm1

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Jul 10, 2013
41
custom Herreshoff 33 sloop Lake Charlevoix
capta said:
Even with the free fall drop, I believe you must have a solenoid in your system, unless you are running battery cables to your switch. I don't think that running a windlass without a solenoid is acceptable practice.
Click to expand
I figured it worth a try since I could always replace a 40 dollar switch and it worked fine. On a mooring and anchor out on cruising so the windlass gets use a lot. The Maxwell is running a 1200 watt motor and I do have heavy cables to the switch (think #2).
 
B

bugaloo

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Sep 30, 2010
130
hunter 33 Hunter Morehead city
PM me and I'll recommend one that will work fine as I have used them many times in the past. they are also affordable.
 
M

mitiempo

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Sep 28, 2008
922
Canadian Sailcraft CS27 Victoria B.C.
You do need a solenoid of some kind, a single if only powering up and two if power down is desired as well. The switch the windlass comes with is not designed to handle the current that the windlass uses, probably 15 amps rated. The windlass can pull about 50 amps max. A continuous duty solenoid that is rated for a load higher than the windlass works fine - Cole Hersee has several to choose from. A good solenoid will probably cost about $40 or $50.
 
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C

cjm1

.
Jul 10, 2013
41
custom Herreshoff 33 sloop Lake Charlevoix
mitiempo said:
You do need a solenoid of some kind, a single if only powering up and two if power down is desired as well. The switch the windlass comes with is not designed to handle the current that the windlass uses, probably 15 amps rated. The windlass can pull about 50 amps max. A continuous duty solenoid that is rated for a load higher than the windlass works fine - Cole Hersee has several to choose from. A good solenoid will probably cost about $40 or $50.
Click to expand
A solenoid is on my to do list but currently break the anchor out with the boat before hoisting. This boat is LFH's brothers boat built in 1934 ( 33" Loa 10.6 beam 11 ton flush deck sloop). Thanks for the input and you can be assured I will always have a to do it list.
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
A truck winch and a windlass are very similar in their electrical appotite. I'm sure that if the truck winch solenoid is rated for the amps it will work fine.
I would be concerned about operating in a marine environment though. A sealed compartment or a generous mittenfull of waterproof grease would seem to be a solution.
 
M

mitiempo

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Sep 28, 2008
922
Canadian Sailcraft CS27 Victoria B.C.
If you keep the windlass solenoid away from the chain locker it should last a long time. Many boats use non marine solenoids for windlass control and they have few issues. The only "marine" solenoids I know of are like the ones from Lewmar, Harken, and others that are epoxy potted.
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Very few of the anchor windlass reversing solenoids are anything special. Bow thrusters, EV's golf cars, heavy industry etc. also use reversing solenoids in some pretty tough environments..

Lewmar has used Albright solenoids, Maxwell relabels SPAL and others, then marks them up about 500%.... The simple Cole Herse reversing solenoid will do the same thing up to 75A. So long as you are under 75A these can be had for the low $20.00 range... You can buy reversing solenoids up to 160A for $45.00 that are essentially no different from the one with the Lewmar, Maxwell sticker..

I have purchased reversing solenoids from Surplus Center before because I like their search and drop down menu's for finding parts...

For solenoids select voltage (12, 24 etc.), then reversing and boom you have your reversing solenoids.....

Surplus Center Reversing Solenoids
 
Alex Dare

Alex Dare

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Apr 15, 2009
302
C&C 30 Annapolis
Keep in mind that I addition to voltage and current capacity there are two different types of reversing solenoids for DC windlasses. Those for small two wire motors and those for the larger 3 wire motors. The pair of solenoids that make up the reversing set are internally different and they are connected to each other in a different way.
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

.
Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Alex Dare said:
Keep in mind that I addition to voltage and current capacity there are two different types of reversing solenoids for DC windlasses. Those for small two wire motors and those for the larger 3 wire motors. The pair of solenoids that make up the reversing set are internally different and they are connected to each other in a different way.
Click to expand
Exactly!! Still you can often see what the manufacturer offers then source one for a few hundred % less..

This is a Lewmar branded reversing solenoid for the V700 they are usually made in Europe by companies like Durite or Albright. There are also Chinese versions.


This SPAL for $33.00 will do the exact same thing..


Or you can source an Albright like Lewmar does. Plenty of options out there..
 
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