Replacing brushes on a Lofrans Airon Windlass

[ChrisKaye]

I've had a problem with my electric windlass which I've managed to get around by getting one of the kids to tap the electric motor while I hit the up / down button, but lately its taken what seemed like ages to get the anchor up /down (lots of hitting for not much movement). Getting a sparky in the Isle of Wight is an absolute nightmare (not sure if they can be bothered really!) so Im going to attempt to do it myself.

Someone suggested that it may be the brushes that need replacing, so they are on order and I plan to attempt this next time I am down there. Is it a simple job to do myself, would it be easist to take the motor off and bring it home to do it, if I undo the motor from the rest will it all spring apart and bits go flying all over the place or can the brushes be changed with the motor in situ.

Windlass motor is of course difficult to get to without being a contortionist, as you have to get your head down into the anchor locker which then means you cant see anything !

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Had a similar problem with an SL Anchorman, but by accident discovered that the problem was a loose connection at the solenoid, caused I presume, by vibration. Might be worth checking all connections for corrosion etc. before taking motor to bits.

 

[ChrisKaye]

all looks clean and corrosion free underneath

 

[KellysEye]

Could be the solenoid sticking, but tapping and freeing it would normally keep it running until you switch off (and it won't switch on again). This is probably a daft question but have you checked the battery voltage under load and the connections, it could be a battery probem but I don't see how tapping would help unless you're shaking a connection. Worth checking voltage (must be under load) and connections anyway.

 

[ChrisKaye]

New / recent batteries all round. Boat on shore power most of the time, so batteries always charged up. Will check the voltage next time im down anyway