Lofrans SX4 Vertical Windlass — Installation & User's Manual
INSTALLATION MANUAL
Performance data, gipsy and chain match, cable sizing, deck and under-deck installation, operation, maintenance programme, troubleshooting and the parts list for the Lofrans SX4 vertical windlass (drum and low-profile versions), with the drilling and chain-pipe templates.
DocumentLofrans SX4 Vertical Windlass Installation & User's Manual
FormatPDF · 22 pages · 3.4 MB
LanguageEnglish
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Technical Data
| 2300W | 2700W | 8CC (hydraulic) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vessel length, heavy duty | 60–75 ft | 65–80 ft | 70–85 ft |
| Vessel length, light duty | 65–80 ft | 75–90 ft | 75–90 ft |
| Power supply | 24V | 24V | N/A |
| Maximum linear load/pull | 2100 kg 4630 lb |
2500 kg 5512 lb |
2500 kg 5512 lb |
| Max lift working load | 500 kg 1100 lb |
530 kg 1170 lb |
650 kg 1435 lb |
| Amps at work load | 160 A | 170 A | N/A |
| Max line speed | 25 m/min 82 ft/min |
28 m/min 92 ft/min |
16 m/min 53 ft/min |
| Line speed | 13 m/min 42 ft/min |
13 m/min 42 ft/min |
16 m/min 53 ft/min |
| Net weight with drum | 82 kg 181 lb |
85 kg 187 lb |
60 kg 132 lb |
| Net weight, low profile | 72 kg 159 lb |
75 kg 165 lb |
55 kg 121 lb |
| Hydraulic pressure | N/A | N/A | Min 170 – max 200 bar |
| Hydraulic flow | N/A | N/A | Min 25 – max 32 l/min |
| Gipsy | Chain supported |
|---|---|
| 10 mm | 10 mm ISO, 3/8" G4 |
| 10 DIN 766 | 10 mm DIN 766, 3/8" BBB |
| 12 mm | 12 mm ISO, 13 DIN 766, 7/16" G4 |
| 13 DIN 764 | 13 DIN 764 |
| 14 mm | 14 mm, pitch 42 mm |
| 1/2" HT | 1/2" G4 |
| 1/2" BBB | 1/2" BBB |
The technical data list 2300 W and 2700 W motors; the parts list shows 2000 W and 2500 W 24V electric motors (as printed).
Electrical System
| Motor (W) | Voltage (V) | Contactor (A) | Cable 15–25 m / 50–75 ft | Cable >25 m / >75 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2300 | 24 | 125 | 50 mm² / 2 AWG | 75 mm² / 000 AWG |
| 2700 | 24 | 125 | 50 mm² / 2 AWG | 75 mm² / 000 AWG |
Cable length is the total run, positive plus negative.
- Control box (solenoids): mount in a dry place near the windlass.
- Circuit breakers: use the Lofrans breakers, chosen for their trip curve and not just a plate rating. Protect the system with a suitable breaker and isolate it whenever the windlass is not in use.
- Remote control panel: mount where the operator can see the windlass (deck, helm or cockpit) and seal it so the terminals stay dry.
- The manual shows two wiring diagrams for 3-terminal motors, with deck footswitches (UP/DOWN), control box or solenoids, circuit breaker and a Thetis 1002 hand-held remote (Up/B2, Down/B3, Common/Battery +).
Disconnect power to the windlass before any work on it.
Before You Drill
- Align the windlass precisely with the bow roller.
- The deck faces (above and below) must be parallel; shim to compensate if they are not.
- With all the chain stowed, leave a minimum of 300 mm between the underside of the deck and the top of the heaped chain.
- Bow roller height must keep the chain inclination below 5 degrees.
- Deck thickness: 60–130 mm (2.36–5.12") with the standard studs. Other deck thicknesses can be supplied on request.
- Tools: drill, 11 mm bit for wood and steel, 100 mm diameter hole saw, 10 mm, 13 mm and 17 mm hex keys.
- Electrically conductive or aluminium hulls: insulate the windlass from the deck with a non-conductive gasket (not supplied), and insulate anchor, chain, chain stopper and fixings from the hull. Without this, electrolysis corrodes the windlass quickly.
In the box: windlass with motor/gearbox, control box (DC versions), handle, screws.
Deck and Under Deck
- Place the drilling template on deck, aligned with the bow.
- Mark and drill. Leave the hole edges sharp, but radius the forward edge of the chain hole at 45°.
- Set the upper part of the windlass on deck. Seal the base with silicone, never with a permanent adhesive, so it can be removed for service.
- Clean and fit the soft gasket supplied before setting the windlass down.
- Grease the main shaft.
- Join the gearbox to the upper part with the motor positioned away from the chain hole.
- Fit the washers and nuts on the studs and tighten.
- Connect the battery cables to the motor following the wiring diagram.
- Models up to 1500W come with an IP cover that protects the motor from direct water and gives the IP67 rating; it must be fitted for the warranty to be valid (as printed in this manual).
Chain
- Use calibrated chain matching the gipsy fitted.
- Always fit a swivel (articulated joint) between chain and anchor so the chain does not twist.
- First load: feed the chain through the hole and secure the end to a safe point, wrap it round the gipsy, then recover all the chain under power checking it enters the gipsy aligned.
- A chain pipe is recommended to lead the chain straight into the locker.
| Chain pipe code | For windlass |
|---|---|
| 636311 | SX2 & SX3 |
| 636312 | SX3,5 |
| 636313 | SX4 |
| 636314 | SX5 |
Operation
Lowering
- Electrically: clutch tight, brake off, chain fixings off; switch on the safety switch and press DOWN. Switch off and re-engage the chain fixings when done.
- By gravity (free fall): clutch tight, stopper and brake off, then ease the clutch with the handle. Clockwise increases braking (to a full stop), anticlockwise reduces it. Then secure the chain to a strong point.
- A fully released clutch drops the anchor at high speed and can damage the hood and bow roller: always control the speed.
- Wait for the windlass to stop before reversing direction.
Recovery and Warping Drum
- Breaker on, clutch tight, brake off, handle removed, stoppers off; press UP until the anchor seats in the bow roller, then breaker off and chain on the stopper.
- Run the engine or generator during recovery; do not rely on the batteries alone.
- If the breaker trips on overload, reset it and wait some minutes before running again. It does not protect the motor from overheating on long runs.
- Warping drum: brake on and anchor secured; handle in the drum, turn clockwise to release the clutch (drum turns independently of the gipsy), three turns of rope clockwise, press UP. Make the rope fast to a bollard afterwards.
- Never put chain on the warping drum. Always remove the handle when not in use.
- Lay the chain on the seabed without heaping it; motor slowly up over the anchor to ease recovery; slow down as the anchor reaches the bow roller.
- If the windlass stalls, slips or goes into self-protection during recovery, find the cause before carrying on.
Never use the windlass as a mooring point: hold the load on a chain stopper or strong point, and make sure the anchor is stowed and secured when under way.
Maintenance Programme
| Use of the yacht (months) | Less than 2 | From 2 up to 6 | More than 6 | Charter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Every 3 months | A – A (as printed) | 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 a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge. No chlorine, bleach or acid (they damage the stainless parts and the seals); polish the stainless parts.
- B – Grease the rotating parts with non-conductive yellow marine grease, especially the main shaft threads and clutch cones; check for corrosion and mechanical stress. Anti-seize on the clutch nut and main shaft thread (636405+630669).
- C – Check the motor terminals and test the voltage drop at the terminals.
- D – Replace all gaskets.
- E – Remove the windlass from the deck, clean the salt from under the base and re-seal.
Disconnect power before any maintenance. Skipping the maintenance programme voids the warranty.
Gipsy Service / Replacement
- Turn the gipsy hand-wheel anticlockwise with the handle to remove it.
- Remove the 2 M10 screws on the side of the base that hold the stripper, and remove the stripper.
- Slide the upper clutch cone, the gipsy and the lower clutch cone off the shaft.
- Wash with running water. Do not use water under pressure.
- Check for corrosion or mechanical stress.
- Reassemble in reverse order, greasing the threads and all moving parts.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Windlass does not run when a control is operated | Protection switch OFF; no voltage; control box, control or motor failure | Set the switch ON; check battery charge and connections; check/replace the control box or control; measure motor voltage – if OK, check and clean the brushes, otherwise replace the motor |
| Chain jams frequently | Locker too shallow for the chain carried; chain does not suit the gipsy; chain not calibrated | Fit the windlass over the deepest point of the locker or carry less chain; change the gipsy; replace chain that is out of tolerance |
| Windlass turns slowly | Cables too small; deck faces not parallel; bad connections; dirty brushes; water in the motor | Increase cable section; shim the faces parallel; check connections; clean brushes; replace the motor |
| Motor runs, shaft turns neither up nor down | Worn or broken wormwheel/worm teeth; broken motor spindle | (Service) Remove and replace the broken parts, checking no debris has entered the oil; replace the motor, making sure no broken piece is left in the worm bore. Replace gaskets, screws, keys, circlips and oil at the same time |
| Motor runs, shaft turns UP but not DOWN | Tangled chain locker, poor chain (burrs, zinc), chain stowed in a block, worn spring of the emergency mechanism, or stripper fouling the gipsy – the emergency mechanism engages | Fit a swivel after the anchor; inspect and free the chain link by link; pay out all the chain in deep water and recover it; (service) replace the spring; re-centre the stripper on the gipsy or replace it if deformed. The emergency mechanism can be locked by service only with the owner's authorisation – this removes the emergency function |
| Motor runs but the warping drum cannot be used | Drum used in the wrong direction, so the emergency mechanism engages | Warp with the main shaft turning in the same direction as when the gipsy recovers chain |
| Motor and shaft turn, gipsy stays still with the brake band loose | Gipsy not clamped on the clutch cones, or the closing wheel at end of travel; deformed cones with the hubs touching | Check clutch tightening, measure for deformation (shims can help), then replace the damaged clutch and/or gipsy |
| Shaft runs out of true, gipsy and drum wobble | Shaft bent by excessive load | Check use is within the windlass specification; (service) replace the shaft and worn parts |
| Oil leak between motor and gearbox | Loose motor coupling makes the worm run irregularly | (Service) find why the fasteners loosened, check the spindle and worm bore, repair on the bench, check for oil in the motor; replace gaskets, keys, circlips, screws and oil |
| Shaft and studs too short for the gearbox on installation | Wrong deck thickness specified | If the key engages the gearbox over its full length the studs can be adapted; otherwise order a longer shaft |
| Runs slowly and sometimes trips the breaker | Cables too small; poor connections; dirty brushes; water in the motor; deck faces not parallel; gearbox lost oil; motor strains; works in one direction only | Increase cable section; check connections; clean brushes; replace the motor; shim the faces parallel; (service) inspect the gearbox and motor; check for 12/24V between B2–C and B3–C on the control box when each button is pressed – if present and a relay does not work, replace the control box |
Spare Parts
Item numbers refer to the exploded view. Quote the item number, description and your SX4 version (drum or low profile, motor) when ordering.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| 209 | Key 6×6×30 |
| 226 | Washer for screw M8 |
| 234 | Hd cap screw M8×20 |
| 255 | Key 6×6×25 |
| 260 | Spring washer for screw M8 |
| 336 | Oil plug 3/8" |
| 351 | Hd cap screw M6×20 |
| 361 | Seal 40×50×5 |
| 390 | Washer |
| 391 | Nut M10 |
| 392 | Hex hd screw M8×25 |
| 395 | Seal 50×70×10 |
| 396 | Bearing 16010 |
| 399 | Pawl |
| 400 | Circlip 15 DIN 471 |
| 401 | Pivot |
| 402 | Hex hd screw M6×16 |
| 403 | Spring |
| 407 | Sightglass |
| 413 | Coupling flange |
| 414 | Hex hd screw M8×30 |
| 419 | Electric motor 2000 W 24V |
| 433 | Electric motor 2500 W 24V |
| 437 | Nylon band |
| 449 | Pivot |
| 453 | Bearing 6206 |
| 639 | Washer for screw M8 |
| 679 | Coupling |
| 680 | A.C. electric motor |
| 867 | Seal 40×68×10 |
| 869 | Circlip 40 DIN 471 |
| 874 | Gearcase – upper |
| 875 | O-ring seal 4800 |
| 876 | Wormwheel |
| 877 | Ratchet ("Racket" as printed) |
| 878 | Gearcase – lower |
| 879 | O-ring seal 159 |
| 880 | Oil level flange |
| 881 | Coupling flange |
| 882 | Worm |
| 883 | Spacer |
| 934 | Main shaft |
| 935 | Band brake |
| 936 | Pivot |
| 937 | Brake pivot |
| 938 | Knob |
| 939 | Brake cover |
| 941 | Pivot |
| 942 | Main shaft |
| 944 | Gipsy cap |
| 953 | Bearing 6008-2RS inox |
| 954 | Circlip 68 DIN 472 inox |
| 1030 | Magnet |
| 1031 | Sensor |
| 1192 | O-ring seal 60-5 special |
| 1032b | Sensor tube |
| 367b | Gipsy chain 10 ISO – 3/8" G40 |
| 367c | Gipsy chain 3/8" DIN 766 – BBB – 10 DIN 766 |
| 367d | Gipsy chain 12 ISO – 13 DIN 766 – 1/2" DIN 766 |
| 367e | Gipsy chain 1/2" G40 |
| 367f | Gipsy chain 1/2" BBB |
| 367g | Gipsy chain 14 ISO |
| 389b | Stud M10×170 |
| 632b | Bearing 51108 |
| 2041 | Gypsy cap SX4 |
| 2042 | Base SX4 |
| 2044 | Hex hd screw M10×20 |
| 2045 | Internal cone clutch |
| 2046 | External cone clutch |
| 2047 | Seal 35-52-7 |
| 2048 | Base SX4 |
| 2049 | Drum SX4 |
| 2050 | Cone clutch |
| 1225 | Seeger 45 DIN 472 AISI 304 |
Overall Dimensions & Templates
| Ref. | mm | Ref. | mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 298 | H | 436 |
| B (deck) | min 60 – max 130 | H1* | 271 |
| C | 191 | K | 296 |
| C1* | 190 | I | 255 |
| D | 110 | F | 264 |
| E | 170 | J / J1* | 152 / 156 |
| G | 142 | L / L1* | 189 / 191 |
* Hydraulic motor dimensions. Letters refer to the dimension drawing in the manual.
- Drilling template (separate download, A2 sheet, scale 1:1): windlass cut-out, stud holes, chain lines and the hydraulic/electric motor outline, with 50 mm and 2 inch test lines.
- Chain pipe template (separate download, A3 sheet, scale 1:1) for chain pipe 636313: cut out on deck along the blue lines.
- Print both at 100% (actual size, no "fit to page") and check the test lines with a ruler before marking the deck.
Warranty
- 3 years from the date of purchase by the end user, with normal use and the maintenance programme followed.
- Limited to one year: electric motors and electrical equipment, electronic controls, hydraulic pumps, valves and actuators, gaskets and seals, and products used on charter boats.
- Not covered: wrong choice of windlass, corrosion, UV degradation and wear, missed maintenance, wrong installation, modifications, use outside the specification, and service by persons not authorised by Lofrans.
Need a part that isn't listed? Ask us to source it and quote the part number from the PDF.
Products in this Manual
