Lofrans Gecko Stern Windlass — Installation & User's Manual
INSTALLATION MANUAL
Specifications, transom installation, cable sizing, free-fall and automatic-stop operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and parts list for the Lofrans Gecko aluminium stern windlass (12 V, rope only).
DocumentLofrans Gecko Stern Windlass Installation & User's Manual
FormatPDF · 27 pages · 4.1 MB
LanguageEnglish
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Technical Data
| Gecko 600 W | Gecko 900 W | |
|---|---|---|
| Power supply | 12 V | 12 V |
| Maximum linear pull | 630 kg 1400 lb |
700 kg 1600 lb |
| Max lift working load | 95 kg 210 lb |
125 kg 275 lb |
| Current at working load | 65 A | 80 A |
| Max line speed | 24 m/min 79 ft/min |
25 m/min 82 ft/min |
| Line speed at working load | 18 m/min 59 ft/min |
20 m/min 65 ft/min |
| Net weight | 9 kg 20 lb |
10 kg 22 lb |
| Rope supported | 12/14/16 mm 3-strand or leaded rope | 12/14/16 mm 3-strand or leaded rope |
The parts list shows 500 W/12 V and 800 W/12 V motors (1231, 1231B) against the 600 W and 900 W of the technical data (as printed).
Before You Drill
- In the box: Gecko stern windlass (rope only), control box/relay, handle, leaflet with QR code for the manual, studs, automatic stop.
- Tools: drill, centre punch, bits for wood and steel Ø9 mm (23/64") and Ø12 mm (15/32"), Ø50 mm (2") hollow mill, 7 mm and 13 mm wrenches, Phillips screwdrivers, wire cutters and pliers.
- External and internal supports must be parallel; compensate if the transom is not flat.
- Leave a vertical fall of at least 300 mm (30 cm) on the inside to avoid jamming.
- Rope angle to the horizontal: no more than 60°. Rope angle to the vertical reference plane: no more than 10° either side.
- If the transom conducts electricity, insulate the windlass with a non-conductive gasket (not supplied). The installer is responsible for galvanic protection.
- Never run the windlass without load.
Stern Installation
- Lay the drilling template on the transom, aligned; check it prints at 1:1, then mark and drill.
- Fit the external support with the 4 M8×70 countersunk screws and pass the automatic-stop cables through the Ø12 hole. Transom thicker than 25 mm may need longer screws.
- Fit the internal part with 4 nuts and washers; route the stop cables through the hole in the internal support. Do not seal the cables, so they can be removed later.
- Grease the main shaft and fit the motor-gearbox with 4 nuts and washers; it can go in several positions.
- Fit the stern cover over the external support with the M4,2×9,5 DIN7976 A4 tapping screw and plastic washer underneath.
- Lead the rope through the external hole, round the gipsy and through the support hole below it.
- Set the automatic stop on the rope at the distance between stern cover and anchor.
- Wire the motor per the diagram: control box terminal M2 to the motor (+) terminal.
Electrical System
| Motor (W) | Voltage (V) | Contactor (A) | 0–5 m | 5–10 m | 10–15 m | 15–20 m | 0–15 ft | 15–30 ft | 30–50 ft | 50–65 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | 12 | 35 | 10 mm² | 16 mm² | 25 mm² | 35 mm² | 8 AWG | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | 2 AWG |
| 900 | 12 | 70 | 16 mm² | 25 mm² | 35 mm² | 50 mm² | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | 2 AWG | 1 AWG |
Cable length is the total run, positive plus negative. Insulation rated at least 90 °C; maximum voltage drop 10%.
- Control box/relay: fixed firmly near the windlass in a dry place.
- Circuit breakers: use the Lofrans breakers, chosen for their trip curve.
- Protect the motor and control box from direct water; water damage voids the warranty. Do not remove the IP motor cover.
- Batteries: AGM deep cycle recommended.
- Command cables: at least 1.5 mm² / 16 AWG, with a 5 A fast fuse on the positive; do not power from the engine battery set.
Operation
Lowering and Recovery
- Free fall (default): release the rope and anchor from all fixings, hold DOWN until the anchor falls freely, then release. Do not press UP until the windlass has stopped and the rope is released.
- Electric (free fall off): clutch tight, rope released, press DOWN.
- Manual (free fall off, power off): ease the clutch with the handle; clockwise brakes, anticlockwise lets it run. Remove the handle afterwards.
- Once the anchor is down, make the rope fast to a strong point so the roller carries no load.
- Recovery: breaker on, clutch tight if free fall is off, rope released, press UP until the anchor seats; breaker off and rope made fast. Run the engine or generator while recovering.
- Slow down near the roller and watch the anchor in; do not rely on the automatic stop. Disconnect and cover the windlass for long lay-ups.
Disabling Free Fall
- Power off and make the rope fast.
- Remove the top screw from the shaft and unscrew the gipsy cap with the handle.
- Take out the free-fall pivot and spring and keep them.
- Refit and tighten the gipsy cap, release the rope and power up.
Maintenance Programme
| Use of the yacht | Less than 2 months | Between 2 and 6 | More than 6 | Charter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Every 3 months | A – B | A – B | ||
| Every 6 months | A – B | |||
| Every 12 months | A – B – C | C | C | C – D |
| Every 24 months | D | D | E | |
| Every 36 months | D – E | E | E |
- A – Rinse all surfaces and hidden points with fresh water and remove all salt.
- B – Grease the rotating parts, especially main shaft threads and cone clutches; check for corrosion and stress.
- C – Check the motor terminals and test the voltage drop.
- D – Replace all gaskets.
- E – Remove the windlass from the stern, clean the salt in between and refit.
- Oil: change after a leak or overhaul; SAE 90 – SAE 140, 0.15 L.
Gipsy Replacement
- Remove the rope and the motor-gearbox.
- Remove the screws and the free-fall support with the stripper and finger.
- Remove the screw over the cap and unscrew the cap anticlockwise.
- Slide off the external cone clutch, gipsy and internal cone clutch; wash with running water (no pressure washer) and check for corrosion.
- Reassemble in reverse order, greasing threads and moving parts.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible causes | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Windlass does not run when a control is operated | Protection switch OFF; no voltage; control box, control or motor failure | Switch ON; check battery and connections; check/replace control box or control; check motor voltage and brushes, replace the motor if needed |
| Rope sticks or heaps around the windlass | Vertical fall not respected; rope type or diameter wrong for the gipsy | Respect the 30 cm fall; use rope of the proper type and size, replace it if damaged |
| Windlass turns slowly | Cable section too small; stern and support not parallel; poor connections; dirty brushes; water in the motor | Increase cable section; compensate to parallel; check connections; clean brushes; replace the motor |
| Motor runs, shaft does not turn | Worn or broken wormwheel/worm teeth; broken motor spindle | (Service) replace broken parts or the motor; renew gaskets, screws, keys, circlips and oil at the same time |
| Motor and shaft run, gipsy does not turn | Gipsy not pressed by the cone clutches; cone clutches or free-fall pivot deformed | Check clutch tightening and shim or replace parts; try disabling free fall: if that cures it, replace the free-fall system, otherwise the clutch and/or gipsy |
| Shaft out of line | Shaft bent by excessive load | (Service) replace the shaft and worn parts |
| Oil loss between motor and gearbox | Loose motor coupling | (Service) find the cause, check spindle and worm bore, repair on the bench, check for oil in the motor |
| Runs slowly and sometimes trips the breaker | Cables, connections, brushes, water in motor, supports not parallel, gearbox oil leak, motor labouring | Fix the cause as above; check 12 V across B2–C and B3–C on the control box with each button pressed, replace the control box if a relay fails |
| Automatic stop does not work | Wrong connections; reed sensor destroyed | Check the wiring; with the control box powered, hold a magnet near the reed sensor and listen for a sound: if none, replace the automatic stop |
Spare Parts
Kit A = automatic stop support, Kit B = magnet case, Kit C = finger, Kit D = free-fall cap, Kit E = maintenance. Item numbers are drawing references; the manual gives no order codes for the kits.
| Item | Description | Kit |
|---|---|---|
| 208 | Ring DIN17224, X12CrNi177, d=16,5 mm, width=2 mm | Kit E |
| 216 | Bush X1 | – |
| 223 | Circlip 18 DIN471 X39 CrMo171 | Kit E |
| 224 | Key 6×6×45, DIN6885 – UNI6604 – ISO773, AISI 316 | Kit E |
| 226 | Washer DIN125 M8 A4 | Kit E |
| 227 | Nut hexagon DIN934 M8 A4 | Kit E |
| 230 | Washer spring lock DIN127 M5 A4 | Kit E |
| 231 | Washer DIN125 M5 A4 | Kit E |
| 232 | Key 4×4×15, DIN6885 – UNI6604 – ISO773, AISI 316 | Kit E |
| 238 | Spring diameter 8 Dorado | Kit C |
| 260 | Washer spring lock DIN127 M8 A4 | Kit E |
| 293 | Screw socket head DIN912 5×16 A4 | Kit E |
| 342 | Spring Tigres | Kit D |
| 392 | Screw hexagon fully threaded DIN933 8×25 A4 | Kit E |
| 842 | Lofrans floating winch handle, 25 cm | – |
| 907 | Screw socket head DIN912 6×50 A4 | Kit E |
| 1014 | Pivot Marlin (FF) | Kit D |
| 1046 | Ring seal 18-30-7 NBR type G | Kit E |
| 1047 | Washer X1 | – |
| 1049 | Cone clutch X1 | – |
| 1050a | Gypsy cap Lion CRO (FF) | Kit D |
| 1167 | Gypsy Dorado rope | – |
| 1226 | Gearbox A1 with flange for IP67 | – |
| 1231 | DC motor X1 2011 – 500W/12V B14 | – |
| 1231B | DC motor X1-X2 2016 – 800W/12V B14 | – |
| 1303 | Motor cover for X1 – 500/700/800W | – |
| 2006 | Main shaft Gecko | – |
| 2007 | Stern support Gecko | – |
| 2008 | External support Gecko | Kit A |
| 2009 | Automatic stop kit Gecko | Kit A |
| 2010 | Stern cover Gecko | Kit A |
| 2015 | Roller shaft Gecko | Kit A |
| 2016 | M5×20 hex drive flat head countersunk DIN7991 A4 | Kit A |
| 2017 | Screw socket head DIN912 6×30 A4 | Kit E |
| 2018 | Finger Gecko | Kit C |
| 2019 | Pin parallel DIN7 4×40 A4 | Kit C |
| 2020 | Free fall support Gecko | – |
| 2028 | Washer DIN125 M4 nylon | Kit A |
| 2029 | Tapping screw hexagon head M4,2×9,5 DIN7976 A2 | Kit A |
| 2030 | Screw countersunk hexagon socket DIN7991 8×70 A4 | Kit E |
| 2039 | Roller Gecko | Kit A |
| 2040 | Stripper Gecko | – |
| 2051 | Screw socket head DIN912 6×22 A4 | Kit E |
| 2052 | Finger stopper Gecko | – |
| 2053 | M2,9×22 rounded screw head DIN7981 A4 | Kit B |
| 2054 | Magnet case Gecko | Kit B |
| 2055 | Magnet for Gecko | Kit B |
| 2056 | Inner cone clutch CAT. 6-7-8 | – |
| – | Sealing ring 20-42-7 | Kit E |
| – | Sealing ring 30-42-7 type G | Kit E |
| – | O-ring 2250 | Kit E |
| – | O-ring NB70, OR 2325, int. d=82.27 mm, cord d=1,78 mm, BS (EN) 42 | Kit E |
| – | O-ring NB70, OR 3287, int. d=72.69 mm, cord d=2,62 mm, BS (EN) 150 | Kit E |
| – | Circlip for bore 42, DIN 472 | Kit E |
Drilling Template
The separate Gecko drilling template (A4, scale 1:1, Rev. A, 24/5/2024) gives the hole positions on the transom. Print it at 100% and check the scale before you drill.
Need a part that isn't listed? Ask us to source it and quote the part number from the PDF.
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