430 - Electric Winch Issues

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Electric Winch Issues

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 430
Forum Description: 430 Hints and Tips
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15439
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:29
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Electric Winch Issues

Posted By: Aussieangus
Subject: Electric Winch Issues
Date Posted: 15 November 2025 at 02:38

Hi There,

I have a single electric lewmar winch on the Stbd side and its been cutting in and out intermittently. It works for a while but then cuts out and wont work again for a while, most of the time it starts again after pluging to shore power and/ or starting the engine but not always AND the battery levels are over 90% as we have solar

Ive replaced the solenoid in the engine bay as it was clicking when the winch wouldnt work, and just put a new breaker in to test if it was the breaker but in both cases it didnt work.

Ive had an electrician look at the motor and he said it looks ok. Has anyone else had similar experience? Thanks in advance.

2008 model 430e

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Sydney Australia
GODS COUNTRY

Replies:

Posted By: Lyn
Date Posted: 15 November 2025 at 12:55

I would suggest looking at your wiring connections for corrosion that may not be giving you full continuity. I had one of those "it was working when I left the boat, but now it doesn't" moments last spring. Mine is a bit of a spaghetti mess, but I was able to locate the wire for one of the Selden control buttons at the Wago connector. But when I opened it, it was corroded all the way through. You'll want to look at both your power to the winch and the control wiring that activates it. Good luck ... and may you have easy access to the wiring!

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Jon
S/V Lyn
2017 Hanse 588 | Hull 19 | Deep draft | 150hp | 220v & 110v systems | Lithium House Bank

Posted By: Aussieangus
Date Posted: 17 November 2025 at 11:35

Hi Lyn,

Thanks very much for your reply. I found today that the test breaker had tripped when we got back to the marina and then the winch worked but still with less power for some reason. Im thinking it could be the wiring or the batteries (may need replacing) they're lead acid and not lithium.

Angus

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Sydney Australia
GODS COUNTRY

Posted By: Aussieangus
Date Posted: 17 November 2025 at 11:42

i now have another issue with a manual winch!!!You've got to love boats dont you! When i winch the slow way it works but the other way doesnt and when i pull on manually the winch handle in the winch will spin instead of clicking! I think they need a service and new pawls.

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Sydney Australia
GODS COUNTRY

Posted By: Wayne's World
Date Posted: 17 November 2025 at 19:15

Aussieangus,

You are probably correct the manual winch needs a service. Easy job to clean, re-grease and check or replace the pawl springs and/or pawls. Make sure you only use oil on the pawls and springs not grease.

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Wayne W
Cruising, currently in the Pacific until the end of 2026.

Posted By: Aussieangus
Date Posted: 03 December 2025 at 12:24

All sorted now! we dismantled the electric winch and found so much carbon dust inside the motor which was making it tempermental and the commutator needed a clean (search google) and now its working fine. The manual winch had broken springs and 1 snapped in half pawl. All replaced and now working.

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Sydney Australia
GODS COUNTRY

Posted By: Ian Coverdale
Date Posted: 04 December 2025 at 10:03

First thing I'd suspect is the push-button.

They're not always the most robust item and exposed to the sun and sea.

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Ian & Andrea
SV Gabrielle (H445)
Liveaboards - currently Montenegro.
www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle

Posted By: Aussieangus
Date Posted: 04 December 2025 at 11:09

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the reply but the issue was a large build up of carbon dust from the brushes inside the windings etc of the motor. Once that was cleaned and cleared and the commutator was cleaned its worked perfectly. The manual wich had a pawl that had snapped in half and a pawl spring that was broken on the other pawl.

I learned alot from this exercise. The brushes last for a long time but you should clean the dust out at least yearly. and the winches (manual) need servicing regularly especially if racing. Its an easy job, compared to some others on board.

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Sydney Australia
GODS COUNTRY

Posted By: Ian Coverdale
Date Posted: 07 December 2025 at 05:27

Very interesting.

Just looking at our winter maintenance which includes the winches.

The Lewmar winch and windlass motors are pretty old-school. Wish my system was 24V for these systems ... but they're not!

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Ian & Andrea
SV Gabrielle (H445)
Liveaboards - currently Montenegro.
www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle