[Togmaster]

Ok so here is an update and thanks to all that replied. I had a conversation with a technician at Maxwell and he pretty much answered my 2 questions. The replacement solenoid P100711 has been discontinued a few years ago. I searched to the best of my ability and could not find one available for sale anywhere. The Maxwell SP5102 solenoid can be used with the Freeedom 500 with slight modification to the wiring. Basically all that needs to be done is changing 3 ring connectors to spade connectors and everything will work. For complete replacement of the unit, as mentioned above, the R8-6 will pretty much bolt into the same hole as the freedom 500. I believe the only modification is enlarging the hole where the rode enters.

I purchased a SP5102 to get me through the rest of the season and will most likely upgrade the entire windlass to a R8-6 in another year or so.