[C320-list] Maxwell Anchor Windlass

[T. Scott Thompson]

I had to remove the motor unit two years ago as part of removing the 
entire mounting to solve a problem with the stripper arm on my chain 
gypsy, which had been installed in the wrong position by the dealer or 
previous owner.  I used this as an opportunity to change the oil.  I had 
a discussion with Maxwell at that time about this very problem, since 
removing the motor is a big deal that I hope I never have to do again.  
The sight glass is useless given the horizontal mount of our windlasses, 
which is not what the Maxwell factory had in mind originally.

My recollection is that the Maxwell people told me that the key thing is 
to make sure that some oil is getting on the gears, especially at the 
point of contact between the worm gear on the motor and the main gear on 
the output shaft, and that the level otherwise isn't particularly 
critical.  (At the same time, I imagine it might leak out along  the 
output shaft if you overfilled it.)  In a few years when I check this 
again my intention is to remove the sight glass, suck out as much oil as 
I can through a small tube, and then refill until the oil is just up to 
the middle of the output shaft.  Considering that the Maxwell factory 
recommended installation has the motor horizontal and the output shaft 
vertical, while our installation has exactly the opposite, this is a bit 
of a seat of the pants solution.  Given how little the windlass gets 
used, I doubt if this is particularly critical.  I fully expect those 
gears and bearings to live longer than anything else on the boat.

Barry Fahrer wrote:
> I did it two years ago and put the chain gypsy conversion on at the same 
> time.
> Mine did look dry too but had oil in it.
> I guess for the 10 times that it gets used a season it could probably go
> a few more years without changing the oil again.
> BARRY --... ...--
> C-320 # 126
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Karl Mielenhausen _/) " <kmielen at iwon.com>
> To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Friday, April 21, 2006 6:41 PM
> Subject: [C320-list] Maxwell Anchor Windlass
>
>
>   
>> Has anyone been bothering with the replacement of the gear oil in the 
>> Maxwell anchor windlass? The Product Manual calls for draining and 
>> replacing the gear lube every 3 yrs.
>>
>> Must the entire unit be removed or is there a drain port?
>>
>> With our horizontal mounting, the sight glass is on the top.... should you 
>> be able to see gear lube inside it? I don't see any lube and the bearing 
>> seems dry.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks for any insights...
>>
>>
>>
>> Karl Mielenhausen
>>
>> 2000 C320 Hull#690 "Silver Lining"
>>
>> New Bern, NC
>>
>> http://members.cox.net/mielen/
>>
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