I have seen electic winch handles which plug into the 12 Volt system costing in the range of $2,500. I think I might have a very inexpensive alternative which possibly could do the same as the "high price spreads". In a mail order catalog I have received I saw a "12V Impact Wrench" which has a cigarette lighter socket to deliver 240 ft./pounds of torque to loosen and tighten lug nut for cars. It comes with the standard lug nut sockets and a 15 amp fused power cord. Could a modification to a lug nut socket be made to conform to the winch socket and use this device to, let us say raise the main sail on my 59 foot mast? If not all the way, lets say the last 20 feet which is a killer. Is there enough torque to do the job? This baby cost $40 with, lets say, another $25 for the modification to the winch "lug". $65 vs $2,500 - - - It almost sounds like a "no brainer" to me. Anyone out there have any ideas why it would or wouldn't work? Has someone else tried it? Since I have AAA I don't intend to use it for the car but would use it on the boat if plausable.
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I wouldn't...
If I'm not mistaken, The type of force provided by the electric winch handle is a smooth, continuous motion- Equivalent to putting the standard winch handle in and turning continuously. The type of force delivered by an impact wrench would be similar to taking your standard winch handle, inserting it into the winch drum, and whacking it repeatedly with a 16-pound hammer to turn it. I'm pretty sure this wouldn't do any good for the winch. --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind' H25 'Adagio'
If I'm not mistaken, The type of force provided by the electric winch handle is a smooth, continuous motion- Equivalent to putting the standard winch handle in and turning continuously. The type of force delivered by an impact wrench would be similar to taking your standard winch handle, inserting it into the winch drum, and whacking it repeatedly with a 16-pound hammer to turn it. I'm pretty sure this wouldn't do any good for the winch. --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind' H25 'Adagio'
I'm neither a mechanic nor engineer but...
to me an impact wrench is just that... designed to deliver short 'impacts' to free/tighten something. Would we really want short impacts on winches? Seems that if the motorized rotations could be more like an electrical windlass, that would be more hardware friendly..
to me an impact wrench is just that... designed to deliver short 'impacts' to free/tighten something. Would we really want short impacts on winches? Seems that if the motorized rotations could be more like an electrical windlass, that would be more hardware friendly..
As A Follow Up
I have called the manufacturer of the 12V Torque Wrench and he feels that his unit would not have the power to accomodate the purpose I had in mind. But, we still should explore other possibilities.
I have called the manufacturer of the 12V Torque Wrench and he feels that his unit would not have the power to accomodate the purpose I had in mind. But, we still should explore other possibilities.
Not adivesd
The method you propose would deffinately damage your winch, impact wrenches only develop high torque while they are in the "Impact mode" and you will find this mode is very slow. You might try a cordless socket wrench in conjunction with a torque multiplier. I think in view of the horse power required anything that works will be heavy and bulky.
The method you propose would deffinately damage your winch, impact wrenches only develop high torque while they are in the "Impact mode" and you will find this mode is very slow. You might try a cordless socket wrench in conjunction with a torque multiplier. I think in view of the horse power required anything that works will be heavy and bulky.
Thanks for advise
Thanks for all your advise. My wife refuses to take the helm, so raising the main is one of her jobs. Being a good husband I felt anything I can do to "lighten the load" was worth the effort to pursue. For $2,500 additional cost to purchase one of the portable electric winch handles, she can strain a little and get it up the mast on woman power; orrrrr.... not be so stubburn and take the helm while I raise the main.
Thanks for all your advise. My wife refuses to take the helm, so raising the main is one of her jobs. Being a good husband I felt anything I can do to "lighten the load" was worth the effort to pursue. For $2,500 additional cost to purchase one of the portable electric winch handles, she can strain a little and get it up the mast on woman power; orrrrr.... not be so stubburn and take the helm while I raise the main.
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