System Design

Coding        Unique code for each Tx/Rx pair.  Very high immunity to radio

                   interference.

Range         Typically 100m line of site, 50m when installed in boat.

                  Tested on both GRP and steel hulled vessels.

Remote Transmitter

Simple two button UP/DOWN operation.

Sealed waterproof enclosure, and it floats.

Battery shelf life of 5 years and capacity for 80 hours continuous windlass operation which should equate to at least 5 years of regular use.

Comfortable to hold and easy to operate even with cold or gloved hands.

Wrist lanyard adds security and allows remote to be released to free both hands.

Wall mounting holder for easy stowage.

Additional transmitters can be supplied with the same code.

Dimensions        150mm x 65mm x 30mm (approx).

Enclosure           ABS, Waterproof (IP65).

Batteries             3 x AAA 1.5v Alkaline Manganese.

Battery life          5 years shelf life, 80 hours continuous windlass operation.

Water resistant rugged enclosure.

Simple 4 hole mounting (template supplied)

3 metre connecting cables supplied as standard, with spiral wrap to protect and tidy up the installation.

Easy installation- can be used instead of or in parallel with footswitches.

Very low (10mA) power consumption.

Dimensions         125mm x 75mm x 50mm (exc. feet and gland).

Enclosure            ABS, waterproof (IP65).

Power                 12v - 24v, 10mA.

Switch Capacity  15A max, fused internally with standard ATO (automotive) fuses.

Installation and Maintenance

Remote Transmitter

No maintenance required.  The 3 x AAA standard Alkaline Manganese (e.g. Duracell) batteries have a shelf life of 5 years and capacity for 80 hours of continuous windlass operation which is expected to provide for at least 5 years of regular use. 

Windlass Remote Receiver

Power Connections

The Windlass Remote Receiver can be connected to the supply to the windlass control system.  The positive connection should be taken to the fused side of the windlass supply (Detailed wiring diagrams supplied with each system).

Black  - connect to boat’s 0v supply

Red    - connect to boat’s +12v or +24v supply

Up/Down Switch Connections

The Windlass Remote Receiver includes two relay switches that can be used instead of, or in addition to standard foot switches or hard wired remotes.  Consult your windlass wiring diagram for further details or contact Coastline Technology for assistance.

Connection is very straightforward and the 3m cables supplied will be sufficient for most installations.

Yellow   - Up (yellow = sunshine)

Blue      - Down (blue = water)

The pairs of blue and yellow wires replace or are wired in parallel with standard foot switches.

***NOTE – Although highly rated (fused 15A), the relay switches should not be used for directly connecting power to the windlass itself.  The Windlass Remote Receiver is used to operate a high powered contactor (solenoid) and it is this that connects power to the windlass.  Coastline Technology can also supply suitable solenoid systems for your application.

The receiver should be mounted either horizontally or with the cables gland pointing downwards.  Ideally it is best to mount the receiver away from large areas of metal as these can reduce the received radio signal strength.  However the system has been tested to work reliably on steel boats and in close proximity to anchor chain,  so this is not a major consideration.

The 3m connecting cables supplied as standard should be adequate for most installations, however if longer cables are needed these can be easily replaced and connected to the screw terminals inside.

Operation

Coastline Technology recommend that the supply to the windlass and Windlass Remote Receiver are switched off when not in use.

The Windlass Radio Remote uses a unique code to send Up/Down commands to the receiver.  The transmitter is switched on by pressing both up and down buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds.  The receiver is normally in standby mode but wakes up after receiving 10 consecutive correctly coded messages from the remote.  This causes a short (0.5 secs) delay before the first Up/Down operation.  Thereafter the receiver responds instantaneously to Up/Down commands.  The receiver returns to standby mode if no messages are received from the remote for 5 minutes.  The transmitter switches itself off after 5 minutes.

The use of unique codes and the standby/wake up procedure provides a very high level of noise immunity and protection from false operation.

SAFETY

Great care should be taken with the windlass operation to ensure that anyone on the foredeck is well clear of the anchor chain and windlass mechanism when the windlass is operated.  Anyone using the Windlass Radio Remote away from the foredeck must ensure that all foredeck crew are safe. 

Radio Interference

Some windlass do generate very high levels of radio interference.  This is particularly the case if the motor brushes are worn.  In extreme cases this radio interference may interrupt signals from the Remote.  This effect shows itself by the windlass moving in slow jerks rather than continuously when the UP or DOWN button is  pressed.  If this occurs then the solution is to fit a 1uF 200v capacitor across the windlass motor terminals.  Most modern windlass will be supplied with an interference suppression capacitor fitted as standard, and so the problem should not arise.  Two suitable interference suppression capacitors are provided with each system in case these are required.  These are fitted with 8mm ring crimp terminals on short flying leads together with full mounting instructions.