Student
Gustavo Charbonnier
Parque Miramar, Canelones, Uruguay
More User info
Captain Level V
Status: Really Big Time Sailor
Qualified days: 363
Posted 2025, Oct 21 21:48
From the text lesson:
"... The windlass circuit breaker is often located not on the DC electric panel but, for some reason unbeknownst to anyone, in a very hard-to-find location. ..."
From ChatGpt:
"Windlass Circuit — Why the Fuse or Breaker Is Usually in the Bow
Excellent question — and a very sharp observation. Indeed, the fuse or circuit breaker for the windlass is almost never located on the main 12 V switchboard inside the saloon.
It’s usually installed close to the windlass motor itself, in the bow — often inside the anchor locker or under the foredeck.
Here’s why this is done, from an electrical and safety perspective:
⚙️ 1. The windlass draws very high current
A windlass motor typically draws between 70 A and 150 A, sometimes more (up to 300 A on large boats).
That means the positive cable from the batteries to the windlass carries a very heavy current.
The longer the cable run, the greater the voltage drop and the risk of overheating if a fault occurs.
