Electric windlass rebuild question

[Sailor Sue]

I'm rebuilding an older Simpson Lawrence 900. The needle roller bearing at the end of the motor shaft that connects to the gypsy shaft is a one way transmission bearing. Does anyone know why this bearing would only spin one way, since the motor can spin both ways? Thanks.

 

[Delezynski]

BAD DESIGN! :cussing:

I know, I had the 600 model with the same type of setup. See my write-up on my "Two Year Gear Report" at;
http://www.svguenevere.com/2006/gear/gear2.html

I liked the way it worked with both a rope and chain gypsy. Just not that one way bearing that I could ONLY get by purchasing a complete rebuild kit!

Greg

 

[Sailor Sue]

To answer my own question.... I called Lewmar who sells a direct replacement for the old Simpson Lawrence 900, and who still has some parts for the old S-L windlasses. The purpose of the one-way or clutch needle bearing is to stop the anchor and chain from dropping once you take your finger off the "Up" power button.
You can also buy the individual bearings from a decent bearing supply source. Based on what I found when I took our S-L 900 apart I don't think a failure of the one-way bearing would have caused the windlass to have stopped working. The main needle roller bearing where the gypsy shaft comes through the gear box housing had totally seized. When I was taking the windlass apart I didn't realized that there was a roller bearing there as it was in such bad shape. In spite of that bearing failure the windlass had continued to work, and the general windlass construction was robust enough that nothing else broke.
I am replacing 2 failed bearings and the main shaft seal, and having new brushes fabricated for a total rebuild cost of somewhere around $100.

 

[jviss]

To answer my own question.... I called Lewmar who sells a direct replacement for the old Simpson Lawrence 900, and who still has some parts for the old S-L windlasses. The purpose of the one-way or clutch needle bearing is to stop the anchor and chain from dropping once you take your finger off the "Up" power button.
You can also buy the individual bearings from a decent bearing supply source. Based on what I found when I took our S-L 900 apart I don't think a failure of the one-way bearing would have caused the windlass to have stopped working. The main needle roller bearing where the gypsy shaft comes through the gear box housing had totally seized. When I was taking the windlass apart I didn't realized that there was a roller bearing there as it was in such bad shape. In spite of that bearing failure the windlass had continued to work, and the general windlass construction was robust enough that nothing else broke.
I am replacing 2 failed bearings and the main shaft seal, and having new brushes fabricated for a total rebuild cost of somewhere around $100.

That is superb, nice job! It's very satisfying to be able to rebuild an expensive piece of gear for the cost of parts. Thanks for the report.

jv

 

[Delezynski]

Sailor Sue,

GLAD it worked out well for you!
I wish it had been as easy for me. But I was out of the US and could not get the barring from three sources I had handy. Almost ANY other barring was available, just not that one way one.

Thanks for the followup report.

Greg