Re: the circuit breaker locations to turn off the primary winches.
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sailormon <kimberlite@...>
I am doing this from memory, As I am not on the boat at the moment.
There are two separate circuits that control the Electric winches. One is powered by the DC panel which operates the solenoids that close the high amperage solenoid in the windlass control box. This solenoid is operated by either the switch mounted next to the helm or the coaming push button. The power for this comes from the DC panel in the galley. Lower right hand button I believe the middle one.
There is a large circuit breaker mounted above the midships bunk ceiling that controls the Starboard winch power ( and a circuit breaker for the dinghy inflator in the stern lazarette) .
The circuit breaker for the Port winch is mounted on the electrical panel on the forward engine room bulkhead it is above the fresh water pump and the AC water pump. On this panel are also mounted the toilet pump breakers, The bilge pump breaker, the anchor wash breaker, and some other breakers for optional equipment.
If you turn off these big breakers your Winches should not work. Next to these breaker panels are also mounted the Lewmar control boxes clearly marked LEWMAR.
Fair Winds’ Eric Kimberlite Amel Super Maramu #376
There must be a circuit breaker in the circuit that carries the 50 + amps to the motor. A simple low amperage solenoid will not do the job. There is also a thermal overload mounted to the motors. I encountered this when I tried hauling the Drogue in after our hurricane. It takes a few minutes for the overload to cool off and allow the winch to operate again. There has to be a circuit breaker that will turn off the power to the primary winches otherwise there is a fire hazard. Fair Winds Eric Kimberlite Amel Super Maramu #376
Fair Winds Eric Kimberlite Amel Super Maramu #376
From: amelyachtowners@... [mailto:amelyachtowners@...]
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2016 11:15 AM To: amelyachtowners@... Subject: Re: [Amel Yacht Owners] Port Jib Sheet Winch Malfunction
Kent,
You have a mystery of the universe! I don’t have a good answer, but I’ll rattle off some random thoughts that might tickle somebody’s brain to come up with a better idea...
The circuit that powers the winch motor and the circuit that closes the relays are not interconnected in any way, so any kind of cross talk between them seems very unlikely.
I assume that BOTH winch switches (the one mounted on the cockpit coaming and at the helm panel) both actuate the winch even when the breaker is off?
Although on my boat that circuit breaker is labeled “Winches”, it is actually the circuit for all of the relay coils on the boat. Winches, furling motors, and windlass. Have you checked any of these others to see if they also operate when the breaker is off? They should not.
A few places to look… On my electrical panel there are four wires common crimped into two terminals* on the winch circuit breaker. The power is distributed on that panel by an uninsulated braided conductor. It is possible that this braid could have been pushed around and is shorted across the breaker--although I’d expect that to work ALL of the winches…
If there is 24 volts present in the port side winch circuit and NOT the other circuits, then it must be wired (intentionally or otherwise) to some other supply point. Even if it was being supplied by a short circuit somewhere, all of the winch circuits would be supplied by the common connection point at the breaker.
My best guess: A connection has come adrift at the back of the panel and is touching the supply wiring… or someone has rewired it in a “creative” way. Neither seem likely, but it is an unlikely problem, so the solution is probably unlikely too!
I can’t wait to hear the real answer!
* Multiple wires into one terminal? Why did Amel do this? Why is this better than a terminal block?? On my boat the record is for 18, yes 18!, ground wires crimped into one terminal. Argh! A real nightmare when you have to replace ONE circuit.
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