Electric Windless Manual Operation

[clayton curtis]

I learned a good lesson a few days ago when our electric windless (Quick Drum type) stopped working as we were trying to weigh anchor. Turns out the breaker near the battery bank had gone bad. We were left needing up manually pull up the anchor and had never tried to do it and frankly did not know how. Of course I could just put some gloves on and pull up the anchor by hand, but what's this winch handle for? Must be for manual operation of the windless! Pulled out the Quick manual and followed the instructions by the letter. It still didn't work! Just kept letting line out and could pull in. Called Beneteau and got transferred to the Quick rep who told us that all Beneteau and Jenneau boats with Quick electric windlesses have a lock screw to prevent manual operation. The rep said that they have to drill a hole and add a bolt that block the use of the windless manually; it prevents the ratchet lever from laying against the teeth. Didn't know why and Beneteau doesnt' know why, but that's how it is. AND it is not documented anywhere! Once you remove the bolt, the instruction in the manual are correct. Basically, you just flip that little rubber covered switch on the port side, which locks in that ratchet lever. Use the winch handle to loosen the clutch (the center hole), put the winch handle in the outside hole making sure to push in the little pin in, and start cranking. Works surprisingly well and is a great workout! Thought I'd share just in case we weren't the only ones that didn't know about the lock bolt.

[CAN DRAC]

GREAT TIP, Clayton! Wish I'd known when I had the same exact problem (bad breaker) and HAD TO HOIST ANCHOR (all chain) BY HAND!!!! Do you have a picture of that bolt that needs to be removed?

[clayton curtis]

Here's a picture of the release/engage lever and the hole where the bolt was blocking it from engaging. Hope this helps.

[CAN DRAC]

Very helpful. THANK YOU!

[Mike Brown]

Clayton, thanks you've unlocked the mystery of the Quick windlass. We too had a problem with the breaker/fuse that sits in the house battery. I tried dropping anchor via the windlass without any luck so used good old fashion manpower. I corrected the fuse/breaker problem and was able to use the windlass to weigh anchor.

As for the fuse/breaker problem. It turned out to be oxidation on the underside of the fuse block. The block has a nylon isolator and sits on top of the positive battery terminal. The oxidation was deceiving in that it looked slightly discolored. I clean all contact surfaces which did the trick.

I'll check out the windlass the next time we're at the boat.
Mike

[sam]

Mike, can you provide information on the breaker? I will pick one up and keep as a spare since this seems to be a problem that may pop up based on at least a couple of folks experience.
Thanks
Sam
B43, Hull #9

[Mike Brown]

Sam, I don't have a part number but the dealer should be able to get one for you. Actually my service manager told me there should have been one in the spares kit and gave me one for free since there was not. It's white and about 3/4 inch square with a hole in the center of it. It's an additional safety feature required by the yacht council and is redundant since each circuit has it's own breaker. If your's should ever fail you could remove it from the circuit and be fine.
Mike

[sam]

Ah, so that is what those extra pieces are that I found on my boat! If I understand correctly, these are the square "fuse / breakers blocks" that sit on the battery terminal post. I do not have them installed. I thought perhaps you were describing a typical breaker at first. This is an excellent site to share information.
Much appreciated.
Sam B43, hull #9

[Alain Brauckmann]

We had the same problem this summer ...

Afer I had discovered that it was the fuse, I pluged the cable to the other fuse ( E Winch ).

Beneteau has send me an other fuse now that I will mount next week ...