Windlass Question

bry1429

Yes , when I spoke to the windlass tech today he stated you have to have at least 12.5 volts to run the motor of the windlass.  leaving the solenoid switch I was barely getting 5.8 volts, that low of voltage will not move the windlass motor, which shows that the solenoid switch has gone bad. I'd rather a $20 solenoid go bad then a $1,800 Windlass;-)
The windlass  tech asked me to call him when I found out what was wrong with it,   he was very curious and very very helpful.  hopefully he'll send out a new solenoid switch seeing how the bad one is so new

Michael T

Fingers crossed Bryan!

bry1429

Michael T said:

Fingers crossed Bryan!

Keep you posted

craigswardmtb

Solenoids can have a tendency to get stuck under abnormal conditions. Perhaps it was operated when batteries were very low or under some unique condition. For example I had this happen on my bow thruster which has 4 Solenoids. I called the mfg and they sent me new Solenoids under warranty but he also shared that if you can get the solenoid to release its stuck position it would likely be fine. He recommended a ball pin hammer. I rapped it a few times and sure enough it let go. It has worked flawlessly for the last 3 seasons. Now I have spare Solenoids in my parts bin. 
May be worth a shot. Even though replacing is still a good idea. 

craigswardmtb

Also that looks like a relay control box. The solenoids are likely inside. Also if you open it up there are contacts. Those contacts could get corroded. Or if wet would not work properly. 

bry1429

If it's a relay control box/solenoid  it's still only distributing 5.8v when activated, something inside of it is acting funky and it is clicking something ugly when either foot buttons are pressed and or helm toggle.  The windlass motor needs minimum 12.5v to operate properly. I had asked the tech yesterday morning if there is an internal solenoid in the windlass and he said no. 

bry1429

craigswardmtb said:

Solenoids can have a tendency to get stuck under abnormal conditions. Perhaps it was operated when batteries were very low or under some unique condition. For example I had this happen on my bow thruster which has 4 Solenoids. I called the mfg and they sent me new Solenoids under warranty but he also shared that if you can get the solenoid to release its stuck position it would likely be fine. He recommended a ball pin hammer. I rapped it a few times and sure enough it let go. It has worked flawlessly for the last 3 seasons. Now I have spare Solenoids in my parts bin. 
May be worth a shot. Even though replacing is still a good idea. 

craigswardmtb- While my Admiral was activating the windlass toggle I was hitting the contact/solenoid switch with a wrench trying to free it up, no luck. (I'm too much of a **** to ram it with a hammer) HA!
 Hopefully they send me a new one F.O.C and I will purchase a backup. When small parts go down and keep the larger components from working,  These smaller parts remind me of a saying I once heard. 
 "A DIME HOLING UP A DOLLAR"

Dream_Inn

Good saying Bryan! 

I have a solenoid on my old streetrod that needs the hammer tap every now and then (enough I keep a hammer under the seat).  One of these days I'll pull the starter and replace that solenoid!

Glad you found it, and MT, I hate to say it but when dealing with that kind of power, the placement of the solenoid up front makes sense.

Michael T

Of course it does DI..... but did you look where up front it was placed? 

When replacing it I would screw it to a piece of marine ply or starboard then 5200 it to an easier to remove location. This won't be IMO the last time this unit will be replaced.

I believe one can often improve on the set-up of things.

bry1429

Well, turns out the solenoid is fine. The windlass motor is seized up.  Good thing its still under warranty, removed and shipped it out to "Quick" windlass company for rebuild or replace. They stated also that the windlass Mini genius 250M is only rated for a 20'-28' boat NOT a 38' 16,000lb boat. Thay said it will work on the 360 but it's way under powered. They nor do I understand why a lot of boat manufacturers cut cost with such an important  piece of equipment.

frenchship

I would definitely let Rinker know about that,this is ridiculous for a boat of that price.

Michael T

Bryan, I would call Quick and ask them how much to upgrade to a bigger model as a trade-in. I bet, as a public relations gesture, they would give you a decent price reduction - at least at their cost. I'd go up the food chain if necessary. I'd compliment them for their help to date and ask if they could take it one more step.....free up-grade or up-grade + a few $$$$ :-)

I wonder if it is even worth re-installing a new/re-built one after their comments that it is too small.

If they won't provide you with a bigger one at a significant reduction - or - at cost, I'd be inclined to sell it and get a bigger one. You plan to anchor a lot and don't need the uncertainty!

If the holes for the bigger one did not fit the present ones you could fasten an aluminum plate I'm thinking 3/16's would be fine and re-do the holes.

If you want I will send you an e.mail that you may share with Quick that I only used it 3 times but I did run it up and down dozens of times.

BTW. Bryan, don't hesitate to use my personal e.mail for any questions about the boat. I may not own it any more but I still care about the boat and you.

I have been waiting to see your post on this situation and I am very sorry that you are having this problem.

MT

NavyCTRC

bry1429 said:

Well, turns out the solenoid is fine. The windlass motor is seized up.  Good thing its still under warranty, removed and shipped it out to "Quick" windlass company for rebuild or replace. They stated also that the windlass Mini genius 250M is only rated for a 20'-28' boat NOT a 38' 16,000lb boat. Thay said it will work on the 360 but it's way under powered. They nor do I understand why a lot of boat manufacturers cut cost with such an important  piece of equipment.

Doesn't make much sense.  The windlass on my 10,500lb boat is rated for up to 17,000lbs.  What happened at Rinker between 2005 and 2014?  Excuse my ignorance here.  I have been following the Kim Slocum is back threads, what is the story?  Almost every part on my boat seems overkill, a few areas could have been better materials etc, but for the most part Rinker overbuilt my boat. 

bry1429

Michael T said:

Bryan, I would call Quick and ask them how much to upgrade to a bigger model as a trade-in. I bet, as a public relations gesture, they would give you a decent price reduction - at least at their cost. I'd go up the food chain if necessary. I'd compliment them for their help to date and ask if they could take it one more step.....free up-grade or up-grade + a few $$$$ :-)

I wonder if it is even worth re-installing a new/re-built one after their comments that it is too small.

If they won't provide you with a bigger one at a significant reduction - or - at cost, I'd be inclined to sell it and get a bigger one. You plan to anchor a lot and don't need the uncertainty!

If the holes for the bigger one did not fit the present ones you could fasten an aluminum plate I'm thinking 3/16's would be fine and re-do the holes.

If you want I will send you an e.mail that you may share with Quick that I only used it 3 times but I did run it up and down dozens of times.

BTW. Bryan, don't hesitate to use my personal e.mail for any questions about the boat. I may not own it any more but I still care about the boat and you.

I have been waiting to see your post on this situation and I am very sorry that you are having this problem.

MT

Thanks Mike, I will call the Quick manager tomorrow.  I seen your travel plans and really hate to bug you. The Quick guy said he doesn't want to step on any manufacturers toes as for they buy from Quick and they can only recommend the proper size for the boat and they know the proper size is twice the cost, so a lot of companies cut cost with important equipment like the expensive windlass. He stated even the really expensive boats cut cost on windlass. 

Michael T

I agree Bryan. I think it's fair to say that I know you well enough to say that your "diplomatic" skills are excellent and that if anyone can convince Quick of the right thing to do it would be you.