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Winch Maintenance

Handy Hints

It Is a Common Error to Locate the Windlass Too Far Forward, or Too Close to The Bulk Head, Where There Is Insufficient Room for Chain and Anchor Stowing. the Chain Fall Should Be Positioned in The Centre of The Chain Locker to Maximise the Fall of The Chain. if The Chain Falls Alongside a Bulkhead or Onto the Stem It Will Pyramid and Jam.

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If the Windlass Requires Positioning Such that Chain Falls Into an Undesirable Position, a Metal Tube Can Be Fitted Under the Hawser to Redirect the Chain to A Preferred Position. This Pipe Should Be at Least Two Times the Diameter of The Chain. It Should Also Be as Vertical as Possible. Position the Windlass in The Best Location with The Chain Hawser Facing Forward.

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Ensure Sufficient Room to Run Electric Cables to The Windlass. Follow the Installation Instructions, Including Underdeck Stiffening, Deck Camber, Alignment, Mounting Blocks and Sealing Procedures. the Gearbox and Motor Can Be Located in One of Eight Positions.

Electrical

Wiring Diagrams 
See Wiring Diagrams for Wiring Instructions.

Circuit Breaker 

Circuit Breaker (must Be Fitted to Ensure Warranty)

If the Windlass Is Overloaded or Stalled the Circuit Breaker Will Automatically Cut Power to The Windlass and Protect the Wiring and Motor. the Circuit Breaker Should Not Be Used as An Isolating Switch.

Deck Switches 

Deck Switches Are Best Located out To Either Port or Starboard or Directly Behind the Windlass in A Position Where It Can Be Easily Reached with Your Foot or Knee, Preferably Where You Can View the Anchor and Chain Coming Aboard.

Isolation Switch

Isolating Switch. This Should Be Fitted in An Accessible Position for Safety, Ideally Close to The Battery or Switches. the Isolating Switch Is Not a Circuit Breaker.

Batteries 

Batteries Are Best Located as Close to The Windlass as Possible. Larger Cables Will Reduce the Voltage Drop to The Motor and The Heat Generated when Running the Windlass. Small Diameter Cables Drop Voltage Considerably. 

Rotation 

Rotation: Windlasses May Be Wired for Single or Dual Direction, Using Single or Dual Deck Switches for Raising or Lowering. Alternatively a Remote Control Solenoid Package with Toggle Switch, Hand Pendant or Auto Anchors Are Available.
 

Solenoid Installation

We Recommend that The Solenoid Is Installed in An Upright Position, and In Close Proximity to The Electric Motor of The Capstan. the Solenoid Must Not Be Installed in Chain Locker. It Should Be Located in Dry Area Only. for Wiring Information, Please Refer to The Appropriate Wiring Diagram Listed in The Table Below.

Servicing

Rinsing All Deck Gear with Freshwater After Every Excursion Ensures that Salt Deposits and Corrosion Are Kept to A Minimum. We Recommend the Windlasses of Pleasure Vessels Are Stripped Yearly and All Moving Parts Cleaned and Greased with A Marine Grease, Teflon or Lithium Based Grease (e.G. Duckhams’keenol’; ‘castrol Lmx’.). in The Case of Work and Charter Vessels We Suggest It Is Carried out More Frequently. Do Not Use Soap-Based Grease.
 

Atlantic Models Have a Grease Nipple on The Aft Side of The Base Plate Which Lubricates the Main Drive Shaft. the Geardrive Is Filled and Sealed at Factory with Long Life Synthetic Oil that Does Not Require Replacement for The Life of The Geardrive.

Trouble Shooting

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Electrical

1. Check the Battery Circuit Breaker and Ensure the Isolating Switch Is On.

  • Check Battery Is Charged up To 12 or 24 Volts.
  • Check that The Foot Switch Plunger Is Contacting
  • Check Remote Control Solenoid Is Contacting, if This Is Clicking the Problem May Be Low Voltage, a Faulty Solenoid or A Wire Not Properly Connected.
  • Check Wiring Between Controls, Solenoid and Motor Are Intact.
  • If the Motor Will Not Turn After Checking the Above Points, Check that The Motor Bushes Are Not Worn or Sticking.

Mechanical

If the Windlass Running Gear Will Not Turn or Operate Check the Following

  1. Check that The Clutch Above the Chain Gypsy Is Tightened to The Chain Gypsy Drive Using the Manual Handle Supplied (see Operating Instructions).
  2. If the Line Slips Check the Tension on The Finger and Increase Spring Tension.
  3. Check the Drive Key on Main Shaft to Gearbox Output.
  4. Check the Drive Key Between the Gearbox and Motor Input.

Hydraulic Motor

Refer Any Problems with Your Hydraulic Motor to A Muir Service Agent or Muir Kingston.