Anchor windlass - overhaul or replace?

[hrifraf]

Our anchor windlass is a Vetus Alexander III. About 12 years old, it was last overhauled about 6 or 7 years ago. We use the windlass a lot. Typically out for 3 months each summer and anchor out almost every night. Last summer the windlass started to labour. Still works, but not with the pep it used to have.



My feeling is that the motor probably needs new brushes and cleaning. I don't know whether you can pull the motor off without pulling the windlass off the deck first. I would have trouble handling the thing if I had to remove it. Anyway, I talked to a local shop about having it overhauled. They said parts are no longer available and recommended getting a new windlass.


Wow. What ever happened to fixing things?

A new windlass is bound to have a different mounting bolt pattern, so there will be extra work and expense over the cost of the windlass.


Windlasses are not rocket science. Presumably an experienced mechanical/electrical shop could deal with even an old one. But of course there's a cost with that too, so hard to choose the best route.



Would appreciate your thoughts. And if you know of an outfit that might be able to deal with an old windlass in the Vancouver area, pass them along.

 

[O C Diver]

Find a good starter and alternator rebuild shop. Carry the motor in to them and see what they can do for you. Generally, if the gears are good, the rest is pretty simple, plus an electric motor.

Ted

 

[Comodave]

Also check every connection for corrosion. Make sure they are all clean and tight. Low voltage can cause a windlassto labor.

 

[Delta Riverat]

Yeah.

Typically they are series wound DC motors same as winch and starters. Lotta low end torque. And brushes and commutator wear and corrosion.

Turn the commutator, replace the brushes, inspect the bearings.

 

[Nick F]

Find a good starter and alternator rebuild shop. Carry the motor in to them and see what they can do for you. Generally, if the gears are good, the rest is pretty simple, plus an electric motor.

Ted

+1

 

[Crossroads]

I have an 17 year old Vetus Alexander windlass. Electrically it still performs as expected. Our use is similar to yours.

However, thanks to the previous owner who spliced three different sizes of 5/16 chain into a 400' rode, the chainwheel is worn to the point where a new 5/16" G4 chain jumps and skips upon retrieval. I removed the chainwheel for inspection and found a crack propagating radially in the bronze. So far I've been unable to locate a replacement, and am contemplating a new windlass. You might want to check your chainwheel before investing in an electrical rebuild.

If you proceed with a new windlass, I might be interested in purchasing your old chainwheel.

 

[hrifraf]

I just wanted to wrap up this thread. In the end I took the windlass apart myself. First, of course, I watched all the youtube videos that I could find on overhauling a windlass.

I managed to remove the motor without having to pull the windlass off the deck. Took the motor in to an auto-electric place and had it overhauled. They said it was in pretty good shape - just needed new brushes. I pulled the chainwheel off, inspected everything and cleaned the clutch. It is all back together now and should be good for several more seasons.


Crossroads: Good luck in finding a new chainwheel. You might find a used one floating around at Shelter Island or somewhere. Also, someone once mentioned that these windlasses were actually made by Lofrans, so maybe a Lofrans chainwheel might fit.

 

[MV Justace]

As above comments we have a Vetus windlass that the electric motor is completely buggered as in needs a couple new magnets as one was chewed to bits. Problem is it cant be fixed according to those that know here in Auzzie.
Ok the winch is in good nick but to find a suitable motor that accepts the gearing that attaches to the Electric motor (as per pic) then to the winch is my biggest problem. Anyone got a solution to this or am I up for a a new complete windlass??? This model of winch sits on top of the boat bow so is easy to remove just the cost of a replacement is beyond us right now having just spent $6K plus on both fuel injectors on the 3208T cats refurbish. Anyone got an old windlass for sale? Have a good day! Robin

 

[High Wire]

Also check every connection for corrosion. Make sure they are all clean and tight. Low voltage can cause a windlassto labor.

This^^^. Don’t touch the windlass until you clean every connection in both paths to and from the batteries.

 

[Crossroads]

Anyone got an old windlass for sale?
Robin, if troubleshooting doesnt solve the problem, make me an offer on my Vetus Alexander III. The only part not functional is the chainwheel as described above.
The only downside is that it is HEAVY and shipping might be cost prohibitive.

 

[MV Justace]

Hi crossroads thanks for the reply pity you are not in Auzzie mate.
All I need is the motor provided it has the same gear as per my photo so is CBit the same and 12v? but as you state the weight for shipping might be more the the part cost. I’ll do some checks to find out shipping costs after you respond to the above.
Cheers Robin

 

[Crossroads]

Here it is in all its glory:

 

[Crossroads]

not sure how that happened? There is, in fact,only one.

here it is on the body of the windlass:

 

[RobertLeatch]

Strangely that motor model (11216258) appears on the Vetus site as an older bow thruster motor. Vetus BOW2512 (A), (B), (C) Spare Parts - motor identification 11216252 - manufactured 1995 - 2017

Possibly a previous owner had replaced the original windlass motor. I'd contact Vetus and see if they can identify the motor and go from there. Identifying the windlass make/model might also help (especially if you need to also replace the worm drive).

 

[MV Justace]

not sure how that happened? There is, in fact,only one.

here it is on the body of the windlass:
View attachment 158310

Do you have a photo of the coupling end of that motor mate. Does the gearing to the winch look the same as mine ?
Say I decided to buy yours what would you reasonably accept for it. Either just the motor or the lot. Shipping might be the worst of it but let’s see.
Thanks for your time. Robin

 

[Mac2]

Do you have a photo of the coupling end of that motor mate. Does the gearing to the winch look the same as mine ?
Say I decided to buy yours what would you reasonably accept for it. Either just the motor or the lot. Shipping might be the worst of it but let’s see.
Thanks for your time. Robin

Just curious how you got the electric motor out with that worm gear? Did it pull straight out?

 

[MV Justace]

Just curious how you got the electric motor out with that worm gear? Did it pull straight out?

Yes mate undo three bolts attached to the winch then ease the motor out with a pinch bar or heavy screwdrivers and may need a little tap from a hammer just to release the bearing from the housing. watch out for some oil to come out. Have fun!