Lewmar Windlass

dotnmarty · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:24 pm Post subject: Lewmar Windlass

Well, our boat came with this windlass already installed.

Unfortunately I have never been able to figure out 1)if it works and 2) if it works, how it works. So, for the entire time we've had it, it has resided in this cover.

What I am asking is this. Is there somebody in the Seattle area who can show me, hands on, if the thing is worth keeping or should I just pull it out and fill the holes? I will pay whatever is reasonable for your work and travel and treat you to some good Thai food for good measure.

ghone · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 5:25 pm Post subject:

Hi Marty. A windlass is a great thing. There should be an up/ down switch on the dash. Breaker in the back somewhere. Could be a heavy toggle switch. Anything on your panel you don't use? Could be it. Generally a pretty big switch labeled. Windlass.

NORO LIM · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:02 pm Post subject:

That looks like a shackle protruding from the top. I assume there's a rode of some kind attached. I'd clear the gypsy before you try any switches.

Any model numbers on it?

redbaronace · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:07 pm Post subject:

We have a windlass on our boat (first time), and absolutely love it.

Feel free to contact me via PM and I can come meet you somewhere and show you what Ive learned about ours. If yours is anything the same, you should keep it aboard.

BrentB · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:13 pm Post subject:

By stop Florida and we can fish and work on it Wink

That is one fine cover, too

dotnmarty · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:19 pm Post subject:

dotnmarty · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:21 pm Post subject:

dotnmarty · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:27 pm Post subject:

dotnmarty · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:36 pm Post subject:

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:53 pm Post subject:

Marty-

The top unit is the thermal circuit breaker that works like a re-settable fuse, since a windlass motor can overheat and needs to be protected by a circuit interruptor that will protect it. An overheated motor will throw solder out of the armature and render itself useless.

The up/down switch is below. Can't see all of it in the photo. Most smaller Lewmar windlasses control the polarity of the current going to the windlass directly at this switch, and don't have a more complex relay to do so. By reversing the polarity fed to the DC (direct current) motor, it will turn in both directions, allowing for up/down operation.

Do you have a rode anchor and locker visible in the front of the boat below decks more or less at the front end of the v-berth? Is there rope? Chain? That shackle in the first photo must be attached to something!

Is the circuit breaker attached to a second pair of wires that lead back to the battery? (The 1st being the pair that lead from the lower switch to the windlass motor.) Are these feed wires protected by a fuse or circuit breaker that is closer back to the battery? (Recommended for fire safety.)

Is there a model number on the windlass? I haven't seen one exactly like that before, but if you understand electricity, electric motors, circuits, and windlasses, there are all a group of variations on a standard plan.

Wish I were closer to help you out!

Joe. Teeth

colobear · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 7:58 pm Post subject:

Marty, I have a similar setup except mine is a vertical model, yours is the horizontal one. On the side of the gypsy (where the chain goes) should be a cover with a star shaped hole in the middle. A 1/2" socket wrench should fit in there. If you loosen that you should be able to free the rode and pull it out. It has to be tight for the windlass to work. You can put the ratchet in there and tighten it. There should be a spring loaded bar that acts as a ratchet keeping the rode from playing out. mine has a small detent to lock that open. You can also rai se and lower the anchor using the socket wrench. The circuit breaker looks just like mine. The red lever is how you "make" the breaker. I keep mine "open" unless using the windlass. There is a rectangular black button that when pushed "opens"the breaker. On mine the up-down switch is counterintuitive. Pushing the top of the rocker lowers the rode, pushing the bottom raises it.

I'll be glad to offer advice worth just what you pay for it.

colobear · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 8:02 pm Post subject:

Well, I should have looked more closely at your pictures. Instead of a star you have the three armed device with the same function. The black button on my circuit breaker is red on yours.

dotnmarty · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 8:08 pm Post subject:

Joe & Barry-We are heading out now for a wedding back east in Annapolis. When I get back I'm going to read closely all that good advice and see if I can sort it out. -Thank you both for the great advice.

starcrafttom · Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 1:57 am Post subject:

when you get back call me and we will go fish and I will show you how to use it. Its a great thing to have on the boat.

dotnmarty · Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 6:54 am Post subject:

Thanks Tom.