Windlass Install

jlsparks · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:24 am Post subject: Windlass Install

I will be installing my new Quick Windlass on Dutch Treat tomorrow and was considering installing a Optma battery up in the nose to add some weight up front as I don't have trim tabs. Has anyone ever done this before. I would have very short leads to the windlass and when I add the second honda would help balance the load.

Papillon · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:30 am Post subject:

Your right about the short leads for the windlass and the weight might help you since you don't have trim tabs. But have you considered the distance you will have to run your battery cables....I don't see any problems with it being upfront but cost of wiring my get a little steep.

Let us know how you end up doing it and post pictures. Ask DaNag or Tyboo for a photo album, we love looking at other peoples boats and seeing how they rig them.

Good Luck

jlsparks · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:38 am Post subject:

Thanks and I'll do that, Being a Electrician and working at a large factory allows me to pickup scrap wire very cheap. I won't have a expence problem with that. With a single 50 honda I have noticed when the first mate is up front I seem to pickup a little speed and the nose doesn't ride as high, not that the first mate is on the weighty side, ouch I might be in trouble here, but it seems to help.

Jim

MOOSE · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:15 am Post subject:

One way or another, the wiring of a windlass requires some hefty cables. But I would not put the battery in the nose for two reasons. First, there isn't as much room in the rode locker as you would imagine. I assume your Quick is a vertical windlass (like my own) and you need all the "drop" that you can get from the windlass to the locker floor to keep the rode moving downwards. Second, a windlass sucks up a lot of juice and I'm against having a dedicated battery for that purpose. I feel it's better to have two batteries and to switch them daily so as to have one in a fully charged state, in reserve, at all times and to use the house battery of the day for everything.

Good luck with the installation.
Al

thataway · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:36 pm Post subject:

In some boats it does make sense to put an extra battery up foreward for a windlass. I personally don't think it makes as much sense as a second battery amidships or aft (Ours was under the galley in the 22). One likes to keep as much weight out of the ends of the boat as possiable. As noted there is little room in the anchor locker, and you really don't want that battery getting wet all of the time. Nylon anchor rode and battery acid don't mix well!

ffheap · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Folks,

I installed a windless, and I have two starting batteries. Both are under the motor well. My standing rule is that I never run the windless without the motor running. So far no problem.

I did wire the windless separately back to the battery switch with a breaker on the hot line. Yes, the wire was expensive.

Works well.

Fred