Windlass is acting funny - won't pull!

[brad614]

My windlass has always worked fine - until yesterday. We were pulling in about 100 ft of rope with little if any load when all of the sudden it quit pulling - it just kind of came to a slow stop. Now, it will let rope out just fine, and will pull in about 12" and then slow to nothing. Any ideas? It is an older Lewmar Pro-sport that the previous owner said just had the electric motor replaced.

 

[tkrfxr]

Re: Windlass is acting funny - won't pull!

Check your battery...or batteries.

Failing under load could begin with draining the battery. Also check all electrical contacts, and finally, smell the motor...to see if it's going bad.

-Good luck.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Windlass is acting funny - won't pull!

You didn't say whether it was a horizontal or vertical setup. The vertical ones (with the rode/chain roller mounted vertically) has gears in the housing that are prone to stripping and/or backing off the threaded shaft.

If your batteries are good, check the clutches. If it's a horizontal set up, tighten them up a bit. It's that star or Allen shaped recess in the center of the windlass. You should have a large plastic handle that came with the windlass. Give it a half a turn clockwise and see if that helps.

 

[brad614]

Re: Windlass is acting funny - won't pull!

I guess it would be defined as a horizontal...? It is an older version of the picture here. It almost acts like the rope is binding the way it just slows to a stop, but everything appears clean!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Windlass is acting funny - won't pull!

Check to see if the rode isn't releasing itself from the back of the pulley. Mine would occasionally hang up in the pulley and it would attempt to wrap itself over again. Happens when you get a twist in the line and it won't fall smoothly.

 

[Bluesail661]

Re: Windlass is acting funny - won't pull!

A prior model would have been a Horizon 400 or 600.

It is possible that the line is jamming in the stripper when recovering line. Earlier versions of this windlass had a plastic stripper which could break if the line jamed. Once the stripper is broken, the line just continues to jam when you attempt to haul the anchor up.

If this is not it, then it is possible that the compound gear has failed which would allow the motor to run in the down direction but not up. The compound gear could be damaged and will need to be replaced. It would do exactly what you have reported by only allowing you to recover a foot of line or so before it stops.


You might have to send the unit into an autorized service center for repairs. If you are in FL as your post suggests, the best one is Florida Rigging and Hydraulics in Riviera Beach. These guys are good techs and stock most if not all the parts for these windlasses. They should be able to turn it around for you in a week or less.

Good luck,

Chuck

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Windlass is acting funny - won't pull!

Check to see if the rode isn't releasing itself from the back of the pulley. Mine would occasionally hang up in the pulley and it would attempt to wrap itself over again. Happens when you get a twist in the line and it won't fall smoothly.

before you do anything drastic- check this out--mine did the same as your 2 years ago- all I did was let out a good bit of rode and un twist it-no problems since.(knock on wood)

I always fire up the motor and take the load off the rode!

 

[brad614]

Re: Windlass is acting funny - won't pull!

Thanks for all of the input! I removed both side covers yesterday, and nothing inside seems to be stripped. It also fed in 30 ft. of rode with no problems. When I took the main cover off, about a cup of rusty water came out, which can't be helping! I am going to let it dry in the sun today (going to be almost 90 again!), then put grease in it and seal it back up. Hopefully we will be good after that.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Windlass is acting funny - won't pull!

Thank you for updating!!

No one ever updates and we can never find out the result of all of the suggestions that are made. Thanks for that.

 

[brad614]

Re: Windlass is acting funny - won't pull!

OK - well that didn't fix it!! The motor runs fine until there is a load on it. I can't figure out how to get the gears out of it, so I guess I need to pull it off and send it to be repaired...

 

[Bluesail661]

Re: Windlass is acting funny - won't pull!

Based on what you described, I was pretty sure it was the compound gear. FL Rigging and Hydraulics should be able to help you out. They are an authorized service center as well as a Master Parts Distributor for Lewmar so they can fix it and they will have the parts in stock.

Chuck