I want to install a windlass, but cabling it from my batteries with
large wires is a major job.

I am thinking of placing a dedicated battery up with the windlass and
running smaller wires from the main bank where the charger lives



Putting in a secondary battery is also a major job... if you do it right.

Gogarty wrote:
Though it is done, most responders argue against a dedicated battery near the
windlass. I agree. Buy and run the heavy cable. I used 1/0 red and black
marine grade (tinned) from Cobra. Thirty feet of each at $2.00 a foot in 1999.
You save the weight of a bettery in the bow where you don't want too much
weigfht and while the cable may weigh as much or more, the weignt is
distributed through the boat and is down low.

The cable doesn't present the maintenance & replacement issues that a
battery does, either.

.... The cable is direct connected to
the starting battery with a 100 amp breaker as close to the battery as
possible and accessible in the cabin. The breaker is in fact the switch. I
also ran three-part wire to an up/down switch in the cockpit in addition to
the foot switches on the deck next to the windlass.

That's a good idea. I'm planning on putting in a wireless remote for our
windlass, but that'a 'someday' project. I put in a 1000W windlass last
fall, running cables... but then our battery bank is further forward
than in many boats. Another factor I considered is that we're planning
to install a bow thruster, and it can tap into the same cable run.



One thing that greatly surprised me was the wiring attached to the switches
and motor. They are not tinned and some have turned to red dust.


Ouch... what brand of windlass? I got an Aries (Italian)... seems decent
but I've prefered an Ideal, they just cost twice as much.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King