Windlass Problem.........Solved.

[oldgit]

Lofrans Airon. 1000W. circa 1990s.Hidden away in Hobbit sized locker.
Worked when it felt like it...sometimes.
Would usually work for few moments and then stop.
Relay clicks..sometimes ...Sigh....
Would drop anchor and refuse to haul it in....not amused.
Options after Googling
New motor £800.00
Motor to repairer £200.00
New windlass. £1500.
New brushes etc. £140.00 ??????.
New relay £70.00 ish
Cheapskates path to salvation
Clean all connections.
Check voltages at all connections..curious readings...still not working.
Decide after more Googling...perhaps brushes How Much !!!!
Contact forumite who suggests a firm which supply carbon brushes for under £20.00 which only need a minor modification.

Bite the bullet and remove motor and gearbox.
All came to bits remarkably well due to all being S/S
Gearbox and shaft in perfect condition even after 30 years, check all turns OK.
The motor, Visually in excellent condition and all four brushes virtually as new....
But one brush is jammed firmly in its socket......Surely it could not be that simple.

It most certainly was

Probably lack of use.
The real grief came trying to hold the motor and gearbox up while locating the shaft and keyway.
Heath Robinson would have been proud of me.

 

[oldgit]

Asper usual the agonising and prevarication about what to do about the perishing windlass was more far painful and took far longer than the job itself.
In total took about 2 hours to do the whole thing.

 

[Heckler]

Lewmar Airon. 1000W. circa 1990s.Hidden away in Hobbit sized locker.
Worked when it felt like it...sometimes.
Would usually work for few moments and then stop.
Relay clicks..sometimes ...Sigh....
Would drop anchor and refuse to haul it in....not amused.
Options after Googling
New motor £800.00
Motor to repairer £200.00
New windlass. £1500.
New brushes etc. £140.00 ??????.
New relay £70.00 ish
Cheapskates path to salvation
Clean all connections.
Check voltages at all connections..curious readings...still not working.
Decide after more Googling...perhaps brushes How Much !!!!
Contact forumite who suggests a firm which supply carbon brushes for under £20.00 which only need a minor modification.

Bite the bullet and remove motor and gearbox.
All came to bits remarkably well due to all being S/S
Gearbox and shaft in perfect condition even after 30 years, check all turns OK.
The motor, Visually in excellent condition and all four brushes virtually as new....
But one is jammed in its socket......Surely it could not be that simple.

It most certainly was
Probably lack of use.
The real grief came trying to hold the motor and gearbox up while locating the shaft and keyway.
Heath Robinson would have been proud of me.

Thats what you call a result

 

[oldgit]

As per usual the agonising and prevarication about what to do about the perishing windlass was more far painful and took far longer than the job itself.
In total took about 2 hours to do the whole thing.

My boat job list is now down to 99 items.

 

[Stemar]

My boat job list is now down to 99 items.

Don't worry, it'll soon be back up to "downright depressing"

 

[LadyInBed]

I found the same problem on my windlass, brushes were down to about 2/3 length. Luckily they were tensioned with leaf springs, so I could make small pads on put on top of the brushes which increased the tension on the brushes.

 

[oldgit]

My boat job list is now down to 99 items.

Don't worry, it'll soon be back up to "downright depressing"

Its all OK .....managed to disconnect the dinnette cabin lights while working on windlass.....and noticed while in windlass locker one of the stantion bases is leaking.......
Will need eyes on stalks and four arms with 3 fully articulating joints to get at them...but its on the list.

 

[Medway Mudlark]

Been there.....Done that!!

S'wot keeps yer supple innit.....