Lofrans Airon windlass gypsy question

[Forest Girl]

My "new" boat comes with a Lofrans Airon 1000w windlass and a gypsy that takes 10mm chain. The Dufour 38 Classic has quite a small anchor locker. The boat has the original 24m of 10mm chain. In order to fit more chain I thought I could fit an 8mm gypsy and use 8mm chain, thus fitting more in the locker. The new Lofrans Kobra windlass has a gypsy that takes 8-10mm chain. Does this mean mine will take 8mm chain as it is?
Also I hear Lofrans no longer exist so where do we get spares etc from?

Any sensible advice greatly appreciated.
Andy

PS The windlass is mounted horizontally, with just the gypsy and drum projecting from the housing.

 

[GrahamM376]

Kobra being able to take 8 or 10mm chain? Mine certainly doesn't. Can't even use 10mm DIN & ISO on the same gypsy, have to use the correct one for each. Your gypsy will be marked on one side with a part number and maybe a chain size. New gypsy 3 years ago was £150 and took 3 months to arrive.

EC Smith were the importers and distributors, but some parts were also available via Plastimo agents. Not sure what the position is now but understand Lofrans production has or will resume.

 

[Tranona]

Pretty sure that the description of 8-10mm gypsy does not mean one gypsy that takes either, but available with either size gypsy, that is one to take 8mm and another to take 10mm. So, you need to change your gypsy.