Barient #17 Winch Issue

[Patronus322]

OK...here's the deal. I took the winch apart today and cleaned it, then put it back together. It now functions as a single speed, but my literature has me confused. I have not used it yet, so I couldn't tell you what it did before the overhaul. My literature calls it a Barient 17, 2 speed winch, but when you get further into the literature, it gives a 1st speed gear ratio, then for the 2nd speed, it gives no ratio leading me to believe it is really a single speed unit. My 21 series give a 1st and 2nd speed ratio in the literature.
Is there any way I could have flubbed this simple job and turned a two-speed into a single speed? I'd hate to think I could screw up something this simple...

PS: We are new boat owners (O'Day 322) and this is my first post to this forum. I'm certain I will be a frequent flyer as I am new to big boats...
Don

 

[Davidasailor26]

Don,

Welcome to boating and to the forum.

Assuming the documented ratio for the first speed is not 1:1, the presence of the ratio would indicate that it is actually a 2 speed winch. In this case, the actual first speed is just direct drive from the handle to the drum. I'll let others speculate on why the 2nd speed isn't working for you any more.

-David

 

[Harlan]

A single speed can have a ratio other than 1:1. The handle drives a gear, that gear drives a small gear, the small gear drives the drum. (On a 1:1 the handle drives the drum directly - no gears.) I think you'll find if there is more than one small gear (actually several) it's a 2 speed, if just one small gear then it's a reduced ratio single speed.