Putting Reversing Solenoid on Maxwell Nillson Windless

[Gone Gypsy]

Have a 1989(?) Maxwell Nillson windless that has a manual clutch for free fall down and only has power for up. Everything works. Folks say this is a good windless that should work for decades. Solenoid for motor has 2 poles. Plan to add a reversing solenoid and a second foot switch to power down as well as up.

Have read some windlesses will and some won’t reverse. Anyone have experience with reversing a Maxwell?
Thanks!

[Bellinghamster]

Is one of the poles "ground" (i.e. connected to the winch housing)? If so, then you can't use a reversing solenoid, as it switches positive and negative, which would mean Batt + gets connected to the housing therefore chain, anchor, bonding wires, etc.

Many reversing windlass motors have 2 (+) poles (one for each direction) and use the chassis as the (-) return, or 3 poles (F1 and F2 for positive, either direction) and A for negative. Those typically use a simple single pole solenoid for each direction (although should have some relay "logic" so that both can't be energized at the same time if you step on up and down foot switches simultaneously)

If your motor has 2 poles that are isolated from chassis (and both currently used), then it should be possible to reverse polarity for reverse direction, but best to find an installation manual for your particular model and see what they recommend.

[Gone Gypsy]

Thanks Bell!
I have 2 poles - positive and negative battery cable connections. I will check to see if the negative is common to housing or isolated.