Voltage Drop

[Charlie]

In another thread I posted about having problems with the electric down option of my windlass. When I transferred the cables to the opposite lugs the down option worked. Logically I see that the cable originally connected to the down lug is causing my problem. It is a fairly new cable. Made of 2/0 tinned Ancor wire and the lugs seem very tightly crimped. I have used a DVM and have continuity. I have checked the cable for breaks and found none. At this point I am thinking of cutting the lugs off and replacing them. Is there anything else I can do to check if there is a current restriction in the cable.

[Warby12]

Have you tried checking for voltage drop while power is applied? Voltage can appear normal until the actual work is required and then can drop off dramatically.

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[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Charlie

....... I have used a DVM and have continuity. I have checked the cable for breaks and found none. At this point I am thinking of cutting the lugs off and replacing them. Is there anything else I can do to check if there is a current restriction in the cable.

Yes, set your DVM to read DC volts and connect one lead of your DVM to one end of the cable and the other lead to the other end of the cable. You will probably have to extend one lead of the DVM with a length of small gauge wire in order to reach the distant end of the cable in question.

Power the windlass and measure the voltage drop of the cable in question. The voltage drop of the cable is directly proportional to it's current restriction (or better termed - resistance).

It should be less than 1 V (DC).