Can you reverse a Sea Wolf ?

[affinite]

I have a Simpson Lawrence Sea Wolf windlass fitted on my new boat. It has a foot switch control for up only.

Does anyone have a Sea Wolf that goes up and down ?

In order to convert it to up and down operation is it simply a case of fitting a reversing solenoid and the appropriate additional switch ?

I guess I'd also have to make sure that both + and - are completely insulated from any earthed surrounding fittings

Thanks
Steve

 

[DaiB]

Ask this guy, he is very helpful.

http://www.slspares.co.uk/parts

 

[VicS]

This item on the Westerly owners association forum I think probably answers the question and tells you what you have to do to make it reversible

http://www.westerly-owners.co.uk/woaforum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1230

 

[makingplansfor]

Having refurbished my Sea Wolf last season I learned quite a bit about it's workings and sourcing parts from non marine sources, I also have pictures that can assist in disassembly if it helps.

The main bearings are single direction only so that is an obvious reason why it is not a simple case of reversing the polarity on the motor. You can undoubtedly get a two way replacement bearing but I am not sure that this would work - the main reason being that there would be no brake when winching in.

 

[PCUK]

Not doubting you in any way but can you describe the workings of a single direction bearing please.

 

[earlybird]

Not doubting you in any way but can you describe the workings of a single direction bearing please.

Sometimes called roller-clutches, they jam up if turned in the one direction.

 

[NormanS]

I always wonder why people want to wind their anchors down. A job that gravity can do, better, cheaper, and quicker.

Reminds me of one of the late, great JDS's characters, Percy, "A pusher-up of ropes"

 

[captainboo]

Reversing Sea Wolf

On an up only version there is a one way roller clutch fitted to the motor output shaft to prevent it paying chain out under load.

On the two way versions the roller clutch is removed and the motor has an electrically operated brake fitted to the opposite end of the motor. This is released each time the motor is used and automatically applied when power is removed.

You would need a new/replacement motor, brake assembly and roller clutch removal.

£££££!

 

[affinite]

I always wonder why people want to wind their anchors down. A job that gravity can do, better, cheaper, and quicker.

Reminds me of one of the late, great JDS's characters, Percy, "A pusher-up of ropes"

Norman - I agree with you and we do let the anchor freefall when setting the anchor but we sail in the E.Med and the UP/DOWN function is very useful for final adjustments to the length of rode when mooring stern-to a quay. We sail with just 2 on board and without it me or SWMBO would be running from one end of our 44 footer to the other making those adjustments.

Vic - thanks for the link to the Westerly forum post. Not as simple as I thought but sounds like it may be possible after all (without replacement motor etc)

Thanks for all replies. Long live the Forum !

 

[DaveS]

I always wonder why people want to wind their anchors down. A job that gravity can do, better, cheaper, and quicker.

I use the windlass to lower the anchor. I'm single handed and being able to do it from the cockpit is a real convenience which outways the extra time (mine pays out at 0.5 m/s so I count seconds until I get to twice the scope I want in metres).

Mine is a Simpson Lawrence, but it's a Horizon not a Sea Wolf. I'm a bit puzzled over the discussion on clutch bearings because mine has one even though it is reversible. It's part no. 19 on this diagram and is fitted immediately after the motor:

http://www.pyacht.com/sl-parts-horizon-600-900g.htm

My understanding of its function is that it locks when the gear train tries to turn the motor but turns when the motor drives the gear train. I do know that if it gets gummed up it stops the windlass working and a strip down is needed...

The Horizon has a permanent magnet motor so to reverse it a polarity changing arrangement is needed. Don't know whether the Sea Wolf is the same.

 

[NormanS]

I use the windlass to lower the anchor. I'm single handed and being able to do it from the cockpit is a real convenience which outways the extra time (mine pays out at 0.5 m/s so I count seconds until I get to twice the scope I want in metres).

.

My better half normally drops the anchor, but if single handed, it only takes a moment to get up to the foredeck, to release the clutch. That way, I get the anchor where I want it, not away down wind. But it's a matter of personal preference, not life and death. But my way is cheaper.

 

[DaveS]

My better half normally drops the anchor, but if single handed, it only takes a moment to get up to the foredeck, to release the clutch. That way, I get the anchor where I want it, not away down wind. But it's a matter of personal preference, not life and death. But my way is cheaper.

The whole point is that I'm at the boat controls, not on the foredeck, so the anchor gets placed where I want, and then the chain gets laid out properly rather than dumped on the anchor...

Having reversing action and remote control is certainly an additional expense, but not necessarily huge. My kit is home made from bits costing a small fraction of a branded reversing solenoid.