Lewmar Electric Winch conversion kit - on Legend 40.5

Rich Stidger · Oct 10, 2013

I have done that. I'll post the details later today. Gotta run right now.

Rich Stidger · Oct 10, 2013

Redunculous-

I may have unintentionally mislead you. In 1998 I replaced my 44ST with a Lewmar OP2 electric winch. It wasn't a conversion but a complete replacement. The OP2 is no longer manufactured which is probably a good thing since it is a bit noisy. However I went with that electric winch because (1) I didn't know it was noisy, and (2) it would fit in the space without any modification of the fiberglass interior of the aft cabin. Harken and Lewmar made an electric winch but it used a right-angle drive and in order to accommodate those winches a special fiberglass panel was fabricated by Hunter to cover the motor. The OP2 that I installed uses a motor that is vertical below the winch drum. In my case the control box for the winch also fit into the space below the winch and above the aft cabin light assembly.

I ran 4 gauge (I think) from the stbd lazarette where my battery bus bars are located forward through the channel behind the stbd seat locker and I fished it up into the overhead lamp area. From the pictures below you will see that I cut two access holes at both corners of the stbd locker so I could fish the heavy gauge cable.

My winch has a 50A circuit breaker which trips repeatedly when my wife hauls me up the mast, but I do get up with a few resets.

I think I remember measuring the current as being in the 40A range for hoisting the sail. Obviously well over 50A when hauling me.

I don't know what conversion you are looking at but if it uses a right-angle drive, I would check with the Hunter factory and ask if they have any of the special motor covers still available.

I don't have the dimensions of the winch base to lamp cover or the opening of the lamp cover, but I will be at my boat next week and I can measure then.

For what it is worth, I've attached a few pictures of my installation.

artboas · Oct 10, 2013

Hi, I have some answers

redunculous said:
I love this forum

I love you too Rich!

Will be great to get this info as defender have the kit on sale

Ok, I had a 40.5. I did not upgrade the winch, but can confirm the following:

In my opinion, the correct way to go is using the bona fide lewmar conversion upgrade . These are typically about $2500 or so.
You will need a box to cover the motor. Nowhere near enough room between the liner.
Hunter made these years ago. I sincerely doubt if they still have the moulds.
You will need to use very serious wire for this.
I would suggest minimally 1/0.
Expensive stuff. Go on ebay, and try & track it down.
If you want to spend twice the price, go to west marine.
The relay should be situated near the winch

The reason that Rich's breaker keeps popping is twofold

#4 cable is too small for the job
I am fairly certain that under load, this winch is sucking more than 50A on startup.
I know the conversion kit has at least a 75A motor.

As far as the cable, you will need to crimp on the terminals, and use all the right tools & bits. Any dodgy wiring practices will haunt you.
You must use tinned wire.
Anchor cable is a terrific brand

Do the physical install, and use string to measure how much wire you'll need.
It is better to err slightly on the side of caution.
Even though this stuff is really really expensive, it doesn't stretch well. I.e., if you are 1/2" too short, you are SOL.

I've installed all my electric winches on my 49. Big job. But, an electric halyard winch is a very handy thing to have

Good luck!!

Tango Six · Oct 21, 2013

redunculous said:
Has anyone upgraded their mainsail winch in the cockpit to an electric one?

I'm wondering how much space is underneath the winch and if the motor / conversion kit will fit without modification.

If anyone is able (or willing!) to unscrew the inspection panel inside the aft bedroom underneath the main winch and measure the depth from panel to winch base and the diameter of the inspection hole I would be eternally grateful.

I am currently 6000 miles + from my boat otherwise I would happily do this.

My winch is a 44ST (throwing that in for info)

Thank you

Hello,
I am the owner of Tango Six that the last H 38 imported into Italy. The boat is moored in Alghero, Sardinia, where I live. I have the same problem to convert to an electric winch Lewmar Ocean 40 st. I have already bought the complete kit (€ 1,500 Euros in Italy). I asked Hunter Marine for any cover under the blanket, but they did not have it in store. I think it's more simple and nice to do it in wood. The advice given by "ARBOAR H 49" is the best. As soon as I completed the installation of the photos will put at the disposal of all friends of the forum.

Best regard and
good Wind

Dante

artboas · Oct 21, 2013

Crimping

redunculous said:
I managed to get the lewmar conversion kit for 1500$ - its being drop shipped by Lewmar in 4 days.

Wiring - will heed your advice and ensure I use very heavy duty, its not a long run from winch point to panel which is a plus.

I will contact Hunter on the off chance regarding the box and if not take some measurements and have one made up - I am thinking a nicely made teak one might be cheaper than fibreglass construction? Will look into it.

Is it worth putting in another set of batteries for this? I have space in the aft cabin and my charger allows for up to 3 banks of batteries. I was wondering if I should throw in a single battery and use solely for this purpose?

I have professional crimps on board (repaired plenty of poor electrical work from PO) and understand the importance of tinning the wire (soldering iron is onboard also)

Thank you to you both for the info / advice - greatly appreciated!

Hi,
The lugs for 1/0 aren't meant to be soldered. The copper wire will draw all the heat away from the lug.
Only way to do this is crimp.
You can either:
Borrow or rent a crimp tool
Or...
Buddy of mine made a fabulous large guage crimp tool out of a nut splitter.
If you look at how nut splitters are made, it's a hardened screw driving into a captive area.
What he did was ground down the nut splitter point with a grinder. Worked really well.
Main thing is... Crimp large guage lugs. Don't try and solder, as it's too unreliable

Lewmar Electric Winch conversion kit - on Legend 40.5

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