John MacDougall, Annie Laurie, #26
I've finished the remote for my anchor windlass, and thought some may wish to see a few more photos of the installation. I hope this helps some of you looking for a nice winter project that won't cost you much $.
(Click on picture for full size)
I use 2 big momentary-contact push button switches, for activating the windlass, rather than a rocker switch…this was just personal preference, and some may find different ideas suit them better. I bought 2 Cole Hersee M-608 moisture sealed momentary contact push button switches…they're HD brass and hot-dipped in a plasticized sealant with 12" wire leads attached. The cockpit coaming where I mounted them is a bit thick, so I needed to "squeeze" them in tight, but they're secure and sealed well.
I decided to use my anchor wash-down breaker to provide power to these new switches, since I'm not likely to use them all the time, and many times I forget to switch on the wash-down pump anyway, so this will help my brain remember :). I ran a 16-2 cond Ancor wire from the breaker panel to the cockpit coaming near the starboard helm. For this new wiring run, from the Nav Station back aft, I used the "lower route", since the "upper route" is getting a bit crowded. This "lower route" runs down from the breaker, below/behind the aft shower and shower seat, below the aft head sink, below the aft cabin starboard side lockers and drawers, and into the lazarette…and then up along other wiring towards the steering pedestal. From the breaker panel forward, I used the "upper route", running up and then in the starboard-side wiring chase far outboard, just under the deck, along side the 00ga windlass power wiring. This run is fairly easy from Nav Station on into the forward head…and from there, it runs behind the forward shower to the windlass control / relay box. I simply added my three wires onto the three terminals on the forward (left) side of the control/relay box, along with the existing three wires coming from the deck-mounted foot switches. And, all works well. At this time I took the opportunity to inspect / check the windlass, motor and gearbox, as well as all wiring / terminals. Found gearbox full of oil, and all bolts/screws clean and tight. I removed, cleaned, and protected all the wiring terminals…and reattached them, along with lock nuts.
