MissJill
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2014
- Messages
- 32
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-28
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2702D112
- Vessel Name
- MISS JILLY
For those of you followed the saga of my inop windlass and discussions with Ranger Tug factory and LEWMAR - I offer an update and some advice:
Finally got hold of a decision maker at LEWMAR - They initially wanted me to wrap-up my LEWMAR Pro 1000 and mail to nearest service ctr (FL for me in NC) for analysis and solution.
I explained I knew what was the problem - either the DC windlass motor or a jammed/broken gear issue. To satisfy them and me, I tore down windlass - no gear issues - minor rust on some gear teeth and dirty grease thrown about but gears all functioned as designed when disconnected from motor pinion gear - that was evidently 'frozen' due to water (or water vapor?) intrusion.
I took appropriate socket fitting over the pinion gear and with some torque, got the gear (and motor) to turn - but with moaning and scraping from the motor shaft. Then opened up the motor casing and as suspected, the armature stacks (the bits that spin on the shaft against the magnets) were heavily rusted.
Now to the negotiation with LEWMAR: Was told that since I was the second owner of said tug with said windlass, that the 5 yr warranty was void; and any parts (ie new motor)- I replaced and installed would also not be covered by warranty.
After a heated discussion about manufacturer holding owners to operate and 'service' their product 'appropriately', I inquired as to how an owner was to service a 'sealed' motor from the elements.
Either I made a point or he felt sorry for me, he then offered a reasonable solution -- buy a brand new and shiny windlass with the 5-yr warranty at cost and they would throw in shipping. BTW - the new windlass has been upgraded - some new gearing. (wonder if the motor is better sealed!) but has the same case so re-installation will be quite simple.
In the interest of time and effort, I took the 'deal'.
Here is another interesting caveat: I was to furnish LEWMAR with a picture of me with sledge hammer destroying the old one!! - Would stop me from re-building and re-selling on Ebay, hence no liability on LEWMAR I guess.
Some thoughts and advice: I had only used the windlass about 4-5 times last summer yr and it was 'dormant' during the winter- maybe water or vapor intrusion was due to not exercising it. So in future I'll run the windlass every couple of weeks and hopefully keep the rusting at bay - I do this with my thrusters also to keep the barnacles from growing sufficiently to break the shear pins. (that's another story)
Hope you had a chuckle and learned a thing or two.
Happy Tugging.
John Kelly
Miss Jilly
Finally got hold of a decision maker at LEWMAR - They initially wanted me to wrap-up my LEWMAR Pro 1000 and mail to nearest service ctr (FL for me in NC) for analysis and solution.
I explained I knew what was the problem - either the DC windlass motor or a jammed/broken gear issue. To satisfy them and me, I tore down windlass - no gear issues - minor rust on some gear teeth and dirty grease thrown about but gears all functioned as designed when disconnected from motor pinion gear - that was evidently 'frozen' due to water (or water vapor?) intrusion.
I took appropriate socket fitting over the pinion gear and with some torque, got the gear (and motor) to turn - but with moaning and scraping from the motor shaft. Then opened up the motor casing and as suspected, the armature stacks (the bits that spin on the shaft against the magnets) were heavily rusted.
Now to the negotiation with LEWMAR: Was told that since I was the second owner of said tug with said windlass, that the 5 yr warranty was void; and any parts (ie new motor)- I replaced and installed would also not be covered by warranty.
After a heated discussion about manufacturer holding owners to operate and 'service' their product 'appropriately', I inquired as to how an owner was to service a 'sealed' motor from the elements.
Either I made a point or he felt sorry for me, he then offered a reasonable solution -- buy a brand new and shiny windlass with the 5-yr warranty at cost and they would throw in shipping. BTW - the new windlass has been upgraded - some new gearing. (wonder if the motor is better sealed!) but has the same case so re-installation will be quite simple.
In the interest of time and effort, I took the 'deal'.
Here is another interesting caveat: I was to furnish LEWMAR with a picture of me with sledge hammer destroying the old one!! - Would stop me from re-building and re-selling on Ebay, hence no liability on LEWMAR I guess.
Some thoughts and advice: I had only used the windlass about 4-5 times last summer yr and it was 'dormant' during the winter- maybe water or vapor intrusion was due to not exercising it. So in future I'll run the windlass every couple of weeks and hopefully keep the rusting at bay - I do this with my thrusters also to keep the barnacles from growing sufficiently to break the shear pins. (that's another story)
Hope you had a chuckle and learned a thing or two.
Happy Tugging.
John Kelly
Miss Jilly