Quick chain counter suddenly lowering anchor

[Gregorynz]

My Quick windlass starts to lower the anchor and can only be stopped by pressing Up on the handheld controller. When released it starts lowering again so I have someone turn off the circuit breaker to stop it. It’s an intermittent fault so difficult to diagnose. I replaced the solenoid but that’s not the problem. Also tried disconnecting the handheld controller but as the lowering continues it can’t be the handheld. Any advice appreciated. The model is CHC1203.

[Pandor]

Your title indicates that the problem is with the remote controller/counter that is presumably located in the cockpit. However, your windless will also have another means of controlling it at the source. You need to find exactly where the cause of the short is. There are three possibilities: 1) Quick CHC1203 Control Panel , 2) the remote control and/or foot buttons at the windless, 3) the solenoid itself or the wiring between it and the controls.

Of the options, #2 is usually the culprit, but you can figure which one by isolating the others one at a time.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Gregory.

[tkeithlu]

When you run into an electrical problem with deck hardware, be suspicious, be very suspicious, of connections that are exposed to water/weather. In this case, I gather that you have a foot switch or remote control for the windlass on the foredeck. A failure of the stop circuit there is the most likely culprit. Clean those up first.