Muir Easyweigh V900 Vertical Windlass — Owner's Manual

Mounting

1. Locate the windlass centrally fore and aft with an unhindered chain lead to the anchor roller. The chain runs onto the starboard side of the gypsy, wraps around 180° and falls below deck through the chain pipe. Leave room for the full swing of the manual clutch handle.
2. The gypsy centre height must be in the same plane as the chain lead from the bow roller; fit a shaped mounting block on an angled or curved deck.
3. Mark the mounting centres from the template and cut/drill the holes.
4. Bed in sealant and tighten nuts and washers under the deck; remove excess sealant. Insulate aluminium or steel hulls with a non-conductive gasket, also below deck. Light or foam-sandwich deck: stiffener of at least 16mm (5/8") with large diameter washers.
5. Mount from above, then fit washers and nuts from below. Grease all moving parts with lithium/Teflon based grease.

Deck Template & Fall

• V900 deck template, scale 1:1 with a cm scale bar: base outline 190 × 129, central cut-out ø90, 4 holes ø9 on ø120, and a chain slot (R20 ends, 16 between centres) on the chain-in/rope-out side.
• Print at 100% and check the scale bar before cutting.
• Vertical windlasses work best with a greater fall: at least 300mm from the top of the stacked rode, especially with nylon line. Lead the chain to the centre of the locker.
• If the chain falls in the wrong place, fit a metal tube under the hawser, at least 1 ½ times the chain width and as vertical as possible.

Clutch & Anchoring

• Clutch: insert the handle in the drum bush or gypsy cover and turn counterclockwise to disengage, clockwise to engage.
• Weighing anchor: engine on, clutch engaged, handle removed, press UP. If the windlass stops without tripping the breaker, wait a few seconds and try again; do not hold the button. If the breaker tripped, reset it and wait a few minutes. If it still will not lift, move the boat to free the anchor. Watch the last few meters to protect the bow.
• Casting: manually by disengaging the clutch (turn the handle clockwise to slow the chain), or under power with DOWN for an even, controlled lay. Once anchored, fasten the chain or secure it with a rope.
• Switch off the motor power before working on the windlass manually.
• Never use the windlass as a mooring bollard; use a snubber or chain stopper.

Care & Troubleshooting

• Wash salt deposits off with fresh water periodically.
• Muir 3-strand nylon line: soak in fresh water with fabric softener every 3 months; on a rope jam slacken the clutch.
• Electrical checks: breaker and isolator, battery 12 or 24 volts, foot switch, solenoid (clicking = low voltage, faulty solenoid or loose wire), wiring, motor brushes.
• Mechanical checks: drive keys between gearbox and motor and on the main shaft, clutch tightened with the handle, finger spring tension.