a house bank, whose charge I can control with the battery switch and tops off at 14 something volts. This seems to work fine (Balmar regulator).

The PO specifically says in his notes that the windlass is straight from the alternator. I have not traced th 8w back from the windlass battery to the alternator, as it is a rat's nest of sorts. The charging output of the Balmar is set at factory defaults, which I have never had a reason to change, or change what the PO had/has it at.