Anchore Windlass Problem
 

I have a Lewmar Concept windlass, capstan model, on my O'Day 37. It
has operated faultlessly until last Saturday. When attempting to
anchor on Saturday, hitting the Down switch produced a tiny
movement then nothing. After awhile, we got one more such
tiny movement. But no more. The solenoids in the control box
click away when the switches are activated but nothing
happens.

The 3-amp fuse is fine, otherwise the solenoids would not click. So is
the 100-amp circuit breaker

Voltage across the motor terminals, when the switch is on, is
13.33.

Voltage drop in the system is negligible. It's 13.5 at the
batteries.

Nothing is jammed. I have disassembled the above-deck unit
and only the spindle is now projecting above the deck plate.
Won't rotate.

I suspect an internal gearcase jam but have no idea how such a
thing could have happened. Would it help to tap the thing with
a hammer?

Any ideas?

If it was jammed, I would expect it to pop the big breaker. The
voltage across the motor suggests worn out brushes or some other
electrical open circuit. The manual seems to indicate the motor is a
sealed unit, however, so the brushes are probably not field
serviceable. There is a chance that the wiring is open or intermittent
between the solenoid and the motor. Try gently wiggling it with the
switch on.

In article , says...


wrote in
roups.com:

voltage across the motor suggests worn out brushes or some other
electrical open circuit.

Me, too! He could also have a disconnected segment in the commutator, an
open winding in the armature. He probably can force it past this bad
segment because of a worm drive driving the capstan, unless he can get to
the motor armature to turn it by hand.

The motor is open, not drawing current. Take the motor out and take it to
a starter/generator rebuild shop and ask them if they can fix it. They
might be able to repair it, even while you watch.

Thanks, guys. Sob! I am awaiting a response from Lewmar to which I addressed
the same questions. But it would appeart that a starter/generator shop would
be both faster and a whole lot cheaper.