New Anchor Winch not working with existing chain

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dpb

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Hi, I have just purchased and fitted a new Lewmar VX2+ anchor winch to my boat.
The winch has a 10mm iso gypsy. (stamped on the gypsy)
The boat is a 32ft flybridge.
The original winch was a Lewmar V3 which also has a 10mm iso. gypsy (it being stamped 003)
I replaced this winch due to the gear box self destructing.
The anchor chain, which is 18 years has the following dims:
10mm wire
Internal link length x width 30mm x 13mm
External link length x width 49mm x 33mm
Overall length of 10 links 318mm
I believe this confirms the chain as being 10mm iso.
The original winch / chain combination worked fine.

I have used the new winch once in 5m of water and after, found that the plastic parts that retain the chain control arm have broken.
The issue appears to be that the chain does not sit tight in the gypsy but sticks out every few links so that when the winch forces the chain through the control arm pivot point it has pushed it out and caused the damage.
With the chain seemingly in spec, any ideas on what might be causing the problem?
 
dpb said:
Hi, I have just purchased and fitted a new Lewmar VX2+ anchor winch to my boat.
The winch has a 10mm iso gypsy. (stamped on the gypsy)
The boat is a 32ft flybridge.
The original winch was a Lewmar V3 which also has a 10mm iso. gypsy (it being stamped 003)
I replaced this winch due to the gear box self destructing.
The anchor chain, which is 18 years has the following dims:
10mm wire
Internal link length x width 30mm x 13mm
External link length x width 49mm x 33mm
Overall length of 10 links 318mm
I believe this confirms the chain as being 10mm iso.
The original winch / chain combination worked fine.

I have used the new winch once in 5m of water and after, found that the plastic parts that retain the chain control arm have broken.
The issue appears to be that the chain does not sit tight in the gypsy but sticks out every few links so that when the winch forces the chain through the control arm pivot point it has pushed it out and caused the damage.
With the chain seemingly in spec, any ideas on what might be causing the problem?
Click to expand...
You have din chain not iso i reckon. It’s an iso/din mix up. Need to change gypsy or chain. Sadly you bought the wrong winch it seems.
 
The problem seems to have been that the chain is rusty.
The rust making the links stick relative to each other. The difference between how a new and old chain 'handles' is very noticeable.
Anyway, I bought a new 8mm gypsy and new 8mm chan and now all good.
Worth me mentioning that Lewmar tech desk did not answer the phone over 4 days and have not responded to email.
So no help from them!
 
dpb said:
The problem seems to have been that the chain is rusty.
The rust making the links stick relative to each other. The difference between how a new and old chain 'handles' is very noticeable.
Anyway, I bought a new 8mm gypsy and new 8mm chan and now all good.
Worth me mentioning that Lewmar tech desk did not answer the phone over 4 days and have not responded to email.
So no help from them!
Click to expand...
Good news.

I had this problem when I bought a new winch from marine superstore in port Solent. I had ordered in error.

They answered the phone, diagnosed the problem, drove their van to wherever they get their Lewmar parts from, collected the correct gypsy, and charged me only their cost price and nothing for collecting it. All same day.

This is why I’d pay extra (within reason) to buy from a good chandlery.

Glad yours is sorted too.
 
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