445/455/458 - Wiring up electric winches

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Wiring up electric winches

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 445/455/458
Forum Description: 445/455/458 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11361
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:51
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Wiring up electric winches

Posted By: FullCircleSailor
Subject: Wiring up electric winches
Date Posted: 12 May 2019 at 19:31

I bought 2 electric conversion kits for my main winches. Had no problem installing them but wiring them has been tough. I know most of the wires aft run on the port side right under the deck and then through the thin fiberglass panel at the foot of the aft berths in front of the lazarette bulkhead then into the cockpit lockers. The whole run doesn't have any access that I can see. There is a empty conduit under the port aft cabin berth but running a snake up it it stopped somewhere before I could see anything in the nav area. Has anyone run wires aft or have any suggestions?

Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: Captain Cook
Date Posted: 12 May 2019 at 22:58

In my 400 I have had some challenges with my wires to solar panels, wind-generator and autopilot.

I have noticed, that Hanse workmen (after putting the cables through the conduits!)have fastened the conduits to the sides of the boat with plastic-straps, thereby making it easier to mount the interior. This stunt only becomes a problem when an owner wants to put a wire in the conduit, which is now maybe bent 90 degrees.

In my experience, you have to use a sturdy search-spring/snake to pass the bends in the conduits, and be a little rough about it.

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Freya H400 #27 (2006),2-cabin, 40HP 3JH4E, 3-blade Flexofold, Aries LiftUp Windvane, Exturn 300, Jefa DD1,Simrad NX40,Icom M603(VHF)+M802(SSB)

Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 13 May 2019 at 01:58

I also have a 445 and that conduit you are referring to comes up inside the cabinet by the rear head just forward of the wall separating the head from the nav table. It is hard to find initially but if you feel under the wiring loom there you should find the end of it.

I have run several wires through there BUT it does have a 90 degree bend just right before it exits into the cabinet and there’s no way to get to it under the head etc as is often the case on Hanse’s. To make matters worse it is of course not a smooth conduit they used as you know.

I was able to run 8 gauge wire (I imagine you’ll be even thicker than that for the winches) down there for solar panels but only by using a very strong messenger line and a lot of muscle power and requisite bad language that goes with boat projects. I could not get enough purchase on my snake alone. One thing that did help was cutting the cable ties on the conduit under the bed to straighten out that first right angle turn and I found it easier to snake the conduit from the head cabinet back rather than from the cabin forward. That allowed me to get enough purchase and wiggle to make that hard turn.

Posted By: FullCircleSailor
Date Posted: 13 May 2019 at 14:59

Thanks for your help