Electric drills for winches

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Sailfree

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I recently saw posts on sailnet of people in USA using right angle 48V? drills with bits to work winches. Effectively turning them into an electric winch. In one post using an inverter was mentioned.

I assume as USA starts with only 110V (60Htz) they use 48V as a standard for external use (similar to 110V in UK?).

One poster stated he took this gear on board any boat he chartered efectively making all the winches power operated.

Anyone heard of this or can supply further info.

Before anyone takes the oportunity of slating Americans our sailing club allows elderly members to berth motor boats but only those that are "sailors" and have just got to an age where handluing sails etc is a bit too much. This idea sounds that it could extend many sailors sailing by a good few years!
 
I've seen ads (can't remember whether in Europe or Caribbean) for a battery powered drill type thing to go into a winch. I've always been a bit sceptical about how long it would last - and it's not cheap (though a lot cheaper than an electric winch). Be interested to know though if anyone else has tried this kit.

I converted my 12v drill to run directly off the house bank when the battery died. That uses about 8amps and doesn't run at full chat, though is otherwise fine. So the 48v setup sounds like it would eat a fair bit of power.
 
Yes I am sure it was mentioned in PBO in the past six months if I find it I will let you know. Might be good for bringing in man-over-board too
 
See the Cranker!

You'll find info and drill recommendations on the Cranker website. There used to be a product called Winchmaster, but I think it's no longer available. This was a similar concept but had a 600W motor and had to be connected to the boat batteries by cable.
 
Will have to buy a bigger boat to carry the battery and drill equipment. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: See the Cranker!

Thanks for reply and link.

Yes is a Milwaukee 18V battery right angle drill. Trying to find a cheap source in UK.

Apparently now doing a 24V version. Looks a good tool!
 
Re: See the Cranker!

Make sure you post the location if you do......I could use a rt angle battery drill both for the winches and around the home.

regds Nick
 
Re: See the Cranker!

At present found the drill by googling Milwaukee rt angle battery drill.

In USA its about $340 but its a very powerful drill. I have not found one in UK. Phone their importers and model no 0721-21 is not imported into the UK

Currently investigating people who are travelling to the states or trying various US websites and seeing if they will ship to UK. Anyone with any idea haw much import duty is likely to be on $340?
 
Torque rating...

The Cranker website mentioned that the Milwaukee drill had 600 inch-pounds of torque, which is about 68Nm in eurospeak. It also mentioned as a possibility using the Dewalt DW960 with 300 inch-pounds of torque (about 34Nm). The Dewalt is available in the UK for under £300 with battery and car charger.
 
Re: Torque rating...

I was looking into a similar idea for the lift keel on my etap 22 (500kg, 0.8m lift, approx 320 turns).

But at the moment I am thinking that ones with high enough torque are too expensive considering the risk of getting dowsed in seawater.

Doesn't that apply here too?
 
Re: Torque rating...

I have lifted the keel on my Etap 22i with a standard two speed 18v (I think!) battery drill. I stand to be corrected but I seem to remember the keel is less than 500kg. I remember a figure of 235kg but I do know that, when I removed mine for galvanising it took 5 of us to put it on a pick-up truck. I don't think we could have lifted 500kg
 
Re: Torque rating...

Tried it with my 12v black and decker one, and wouldnt turn it. Must try with some builder mates drills to see how much I need then.

Mine is a 22, not 22i, the keel is 550kg - older and slower! stand corrected /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Torque rating...

I am at present standing! That means everything I said is wrong, I don't imagine my drill would lift double the weight of my keel. You could try using a drill with an extra gearbox. One thought is, how long is the handle on your boat? If it's the same as mine (about 7-8inches) you must have a finer thread than mine. If that is the case your drill must be weaker.
Allan
 
Re: Electric drills for winches - Is it practical?

I wonder if its practical to use. You have to wind the string round the winch, pick up the drill with one hand and get it to fit into the winch socket while holding the tail of the string, press the trigger on the drill and hold tight to stop the drill body turning round, put the drill down and cleat off.
It might work on flat water - but with a swell?
Yes a self tailing winch would help - might even be essential.
 
Re: Electric drills for winches - Is it practical?

I have tried it out and have rejected the idea. A standard electric drill does not have the required torque to turn the winch and the Milwaukee right angle drill that is recommended is both expensive and heavy.

Waypoint
 
Re: Electric drills for winches - Is it practical?

I took note of the links and picked up what pvc posted above the Milwaukee (I think the 18V version) is twice the torque of the most powerful competitor.

It certainly looks a good bit of kit and I suspect the 28V is even more powerful.

A number of American sailors use them all the time from comments I have read on Sailnet.

As charter quality sails are often heavier than normal, I was tempted to order an electric halyard winch for the 43DS but didn't as I was not sure charters would use it with care (I once had the main batten cars pulled out of the mast where a Bonzo tried hoisting the main with it still reefed).

Having once had to unexpectedly sailed back from Spain singlehanded on a 38 the idea of a portable drill that enables the winches to become effectively electric ones is attractive.
 
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