Harken winches are reliable, rugged, and extremely efficient. Manual, hydraulic, and electric winches come in a variety of sizes and configurations. Below are answers to common questions about our electric winches.
Photo: Bob Grieser
general information
Why should I equip my boat with electric winches?
Electric winches make it possible to sail bigger boats shorthanded. Crew can perform any task onboard, regardless of their strength, size, or physical condition. With the simple push of a button, small crewmembers can sheet the jib in high winds and execute other heavily loaded tasks. Jobs such as trimming the mainsail are effortless. In marginal conditions, a single electric winch can make the difference between sailing and motoring.
What maintenance is required?
You should check electrical connections and monitor the battery charge, but electric winches are otherwise serviced like manual ones. Remove dirt with a mild solvent and apply a light coat of grease. Oil the pawls and springs periodically. The gearbox and switch seals keep out water.
How do I size electric winches?
Always size electric winches for the highest load. For example, if you use the winch for both the halyard and genoa sheet, size the winch for the load of the genoa sheet.
Is it hard or dangerous to drive an electric winch manually?
Inserting a locking handle when the winch is not under load automatically disconnects the electric motor gearbox for sailing without electric power. Switches are available with guard covers to prevent accidental starts.
What is the best location for a single electric winch?
Harken winch motors are small and come in horizontal or vertical configurations to fit a variety of spaces. Cabin top mounted winches are great for halyards. Smaller boats may find there is more room for the motor and gearbox in the primary position. Lead halyards to these winches by running them to a snatch block mounted near the gunwale and then to the winch.
systems
What systems should I power?
Electric winch systems commonly trim the genoa sheets and the main halyard. In many cases, it's possible to lead the main halyard back to a powered primary winch.
What else can I power?
Electric winches can furl the genoas or mainsails, raise the anchor, or help dock the boat.
Do all electric winches have two speeds?
Some manufactuers' electric winches are two-speed in manual mode and one-speed in electric. Harken electric winches are two-speed in both modes. The ability to choose a winch operating speed is always an advantage. For example, in light air you can sheet the genoa with the fast first gear and fine tune in second.
For fast line speeds, winches size 60 and up can be special-ordered with three speeds. The third speed engages the same way as in a manual winch.
How do I switch gears?
You can press one of two labeled buttons for the desired speed.
How do I figure my battery requirements?
Calculate the amount of electricity you need for all systems per charging period. Compare this number to your battery capacity. For optimal battery life and performance, your battery capacity should be three times the daily draw. For example, if electrical draw is 100 amp-hours per day, you will need 300 amp-hours of battery capacity.
How do winches of different speeds affect battery drain?
A Harken two-speed winch drains less power from the battery because it offers the mechanical advantage of a second gear.
A single-speed winch operates in the motor's upper range and draws more amps. Because line speed slows dramatically in
the upper range, time of use is comparable to two-speed, but amperage draw is greater.
What type of batteries do I need?
You need deep cycle-type batteries designed for deep discharges and repeated charge/discharge cycles. Gel batteries can handle deep discharges, are maintenance free, and do not leak. Wet-type marine batteries are less expensive, but require maintenance. Premium versions of wet batteries offer the longest life, but are the most expensive and require maintenance.
Should I have a separate battery for electric winches?
No. It is best to have a bank of batteries to run your electrical components. A bank of batteries allows a slow draw from a large electrical supply and provides better battery performance. It’s a good idea to install a separate battery system to start the engine to ensure enough power is always available.
Does it matter whether I have a 12 or 14-volt system?
Does it matter whether I have a 12-volt or 14-volt system? Check your system and specify voltage when ordering. Most boats in the US are 12-volt. Boats using 24-volt systems are more common in Europe. Because a 24-volt system requires half as much amperage, the wire and circuit breaker (fuse) can have lower amperage. Larger winches, such as the 1110, 1120, and 1140, are available in 24-volt.
Do I need anything else?
You will need wire and a circuit breaker. Match wire size to the size of the winch, system voltage, and wire length. Harken offers four high-amperage, waterproof circuit breakers rated to 30 volts DC.
What is an amp-hour? How is is measured?
Multiplying amps by hours of use yields the amp-hour measurement. For example, an electric winch that uses 100 amps for 12 minutes (.2 hour) per charging period consumes 20 amp-hours (100 x .2). To calculate your battery requirements, total this number with other systems on the boat.
How much electricity do electric winches use?
Although electric winches can consume as much as 150 to 200 amps, they do not run for long periods of time. A day's use might amount to no more than 10 minutes. Many sailors measure the amp-hours used for each electrical device, calculate their total electrical needs, and match this to battery capacity.
How many amp-hours will an electric winch use per day?
Winch amp-hours vary according to voltage, winch size, and the frequency of operation between charging periods. If you have a 24-volt system, you will use 30 to 35 amp-hours per day. With a 12-volt system, you will use 50 to 55 amp-hours. Larger winches—66 and up—use 50 to 55 amps at 24 volts.
How do I check that my battery and charging system can accommodate my estimated amp-hours?
Digital amp-hour meters will display the number of amp-hours consumed by winches and your other electrical
systems, including charging sources. You can also buy voltmeters and meters for monitoring your battery and
charging system. If your boat has no metering system, you can purchase one with all three functions in one
meter.
Links:
Wire Size
Winch Manuals
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