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120 Volt Windlass

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by David Helsom, Oct 20, 2023.

  1. David Helsom, Oct 20, 2023
    #1
    David Helsom

    David Helsom Senior Member

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    Just a curiosity post. A friend has 46.6 Bertram and he’s looking to replace the windlass. He said he has a 120 volt windlass currently on the boat. How typical is that? Seems like a big Achilles heel.
  2. Pascal, Oct 20, 2023
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Pretty rare. I don’t see the point, loose the gen and you re hauling the hook by hand.
  3. Capt Ralph, Oct 20, 2023
    #3
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Yep, ours was an 120Vac Ideal.
    Used it for over 16 years this way.
    Found a 32Vdc motor for it, never installed it.

    Will's Hatt has a 240Vac GalleyMaid windlass.

    Our first inverter and batteries would last nicely over night but when the coffee maker came on, the inverter would roll over.
    Gen-set was started for coffee, breakfast and anchor hauling.

    We finally upgraded the inverter, battery bank and installed a real nice Lofrans windlass, 24Vdc (separate battery bank than inverter).
    During weather like this week, we probably would not start a gen-set up at all now.
  4. SplashFl, Oct 20, 2023
    #4
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    My 46 Bertram has an Ideal Windless that is either 110 or 220 and also has 24 volt control switches for it. Lose generator while on the hook and hauling it becomes a task so although I was considering a stainless anchor, decided unless the windless is first changed to 24 v. probably best to stay with the Aluminum Fortress. Having a conversation with Ideal is on the list.
  5. David Helsom, Oct 20, 2023
    #5
    David Helsom

    David Helsom Senior Member

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    I thought it was odd. My neighbor said he had a conversation with the windlass company. tThey said it was cost prohibitive to convert to DC. I’ll have to ask him if he looked in there to see if there were 24 V controls.
  6. David Helsom, Oct 20, 2023
    #6
    David Helsom

    David Helsom Senior Member

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    Ralph, do you still have the motor? He might be interested in purchasing it from you.
  7. SplashFl, Oct 20, 2023
    #7
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    I received email from Ideal this afternoon after I asked them if they had a 24 v. motor for my windless. It said, "mmc-500-24 $1104." I believe all of my switches are already low voltage; on mine 24 v. ,running through some sort of control box with a diagram taped inside the cover but it's probably going to be the last item on the boat for my discovery.
    Control Box.jpg


    Control Box Diagram.jpg
  8. Capt Ralph, Oct 20, 2023
    #8
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I'm sure it went out the door when our shop was closed a few years ago.
    I sold the shafts, gears and wildcats to Ideal from my first windlass 15 years ago.
    They were not interested in anything on the second unit a few years ago, including that 32V dc motor.

    I also have factory DCv cable pre-run for a DCv windlass in our Bert, just undersized for a 24Vdc unit. There may be pre-run cables in other Berts.
    If & when I finally mount a spot light on the bow, I'll use this cable then.
    Old 10g, 115Vac windlass cable still in place also.

    I ended up running new cables for the Lofrans.
    Lil Lofrans turned out to be a great unit.

    That 120Vac and 32Vdc motor looked the same. Just the green wire and tag gave away the differences.
    Shame Ideal does not offer the 32Vdc motor any more.
    But, Just like so many Mfg's, support for old products does fade away.
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2023