You can power a flashlight, but not run a windlass. ;^)))

As Steve points out -- its what happens when the wire is loaded (or gets warm) that MIGHT be the issue.

Of course, Raymarine pilots (when the don't work) might have any number of issues. It's just that your description seemed to lead me to believe that it's a amperage carrying or transfer issue.

As Jon (a/k/a DDW) points out, there might be another explanation. I'd hope that's not your case.