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OWNER'S MANUAL

Installation, wiring, operation, servicing schedule and deck template for the Muir Easyweigh VC800 vertical inline capstan, the mooring capstan that runs clockwise only.

DocumentMuir Easyweigh VC800 Vertical Inline Capstan Owner's Manual
FormatPDF · 21 pages · 1.4 MB
LanguageEnglish
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Owner's ManualPDF · 21 p.VC800 deck template (1:1)PDF · 1 p.
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Key FactsInstallationLocation & WiringOperation & ServiceTroubleshootingWarrantyProducts
Muir Easyweigh VC800 Vertical Inline Capstan — Owner's Manual

Key Facts

Item VC800
Type Vertical inline mooring capstan (Easyweigh series)
Rotation Clockwise only
Motor wiring Two-terminal motor, single direction: battery + to motor A1(+), battery − to motor A2(−)
Deck template (1:1) Base ø140, cut-out ø104; drill 3 holes ø10 for M8 at PCD ø126
Wiring components on the diagram Circuit breaker P/N F80-CB, deck switch P/N F80-DS, isolating switch

Wired the wrong way round, the VC800 motor is damaged and the warranty is void. Always connect battery positive to the motor positive terminal and battery negative to the motor negative terminal.

Installation

  1. Pick a spot with a clear lead for the rope, as close to perpendicular to the rope source as possible, and room below deck for the cables or hydraulic lines.
  2. On an angled or curved deck, fit a shaped mounting block so the base sits level; a spacer below deck may be needed depending on deck thickness.
  3. Mark the mounting centres with the template and drill. Disassemble the capstan for installation.
  4. Bed the base plate (and block) in sealant. On aluminium or steel hulls insulate with a non-conductive gasket, also below deck under bolts, nuts and washers. On light or foam-sandwich decks fit a plywood stiffener of at least 16mm (5/8") under the deck.
  5. Fit the base mounting screws and check there is enough thread through the spacer below deck.
  6. With the shaft in place for alignment, slide the motor/gearbox on, fit washer and nut on each bolt and tighten. Check the shaft turns freely and is not jammed on the gearbox key. Remove excess sealant.
  7. Fit a spacer on the shaft below the gearbox, then the two washers and the fixing bolt.
  8. Grease shaft and key, slide the capstan on with the key aligned and screw it to the shaft. The shaft should have approximately 0.5mm up/down movement and the capstan must not bind on the base.

The deck template is in the PDF downloads: print it at 100% (scale 1:1) and check it against the printed cm scale bar before drilling.

Capstan Location

  • Generally near the aft quarter, close to bollards or cleats and suitable fairleads.
  • Align it so the mooring line leads from the fairlead onto the bottom of the drum, for 3 or 4 wraps.
  • Once the line is in, unwrap it from the drum and cleat it off nearby: full wind loads on the mooring lines must not go onto the capstan. Leaving the line loaded on the drum voids the warranty.
  • Use stretchy mooring rope (nylon or polyester), not non-stretch rope such as Dyneema: the give reduces peak loads, and Dyneema slips easily on the drum. Size the rope so it is flexible enough to grip the drum.

Electrical

  • Circuit breaker: must be fitted to keep the warranty. It cuts power if the capstan is overloaded or stalled; do not use it as an isolating switch.
  • Isolating switch: accessible, ideally close to the battery or switches. It is not a circuit breaker.
  • Deck switches: to port, starboard or directly behind the unit, where you can reach them with foot or knee.
  • Battery as close to the motor as possible; larger cables cut voltage drop and heat.
  • Solenoid (required for deck switches): mount it upright, out of sea water and close to the motor. Single or dual direction wiring; toggle switch, hand pendant or auto-anchor control packages are available.
  • Incorrect wiring can cause failure and a fire hazard: follow the wiring diagrams in the PDF.
Distance battery to motor Cable size AWG Cable core diameter
< 7 m (23') 16 mm² 5 5 mm (13/64")
8–11 m (26'–36') 25 mm² 3 7 mm (17/64")
12–16 m (39'–53') 35 mm² 2 8 mm (5/16")

Operating

  • Wrap the rope round the drum 3 or 4 times and run the switch while keeping load on the tail. Light loads (small anchors, sails) need three or four turns; heavier loads need more turns.
  • To ease the line out, reduce the tail load and let it slip round the drum; for faster pay-out, unwrap it.
  • Manage the load by varying the pull on the tail; if the capstan labours, ease the tail and let the rope slip a little.
  • Never run the capstan stalled or overloaded, and never use it as a mooring bollard.
  • Do not press the UP and DOWN switches at the same time: reversing a running motor can damage it.
  • If the capstan recovers an anchor on a small boat, do not let the anchor chain wrap round the drum.
  • In high wind or heavy seas use engine or thrusters to move the boat towards the load instead of relying on the capstan alone.
  • The VC800 only works clockwise.

Servicing

  • The gear drive is filled and sealed at the factory with long-life synthetic oil; no regular oil change is needed.
  • Rinse all deck gear with fresh water after every trip.
  • Pleasure boats: strip yearly, clean all moving parts and grease with a marine, Teflon or lithium based grease (e.g. Shell Gadus S220). Work and charter boats: more often.
When Procedure
At installation See the installation section
6 months Check all bolts are tight; check grease tape / anti-corrosion film on the motor and gear drive
12 months, 2 years, 3 years Strip, clean, fully grease and lubricate
4 years Full winch service: all of the above, plus drain and refill the gearbox with 320 grade gear oil

Electrical

  1. Check the circuit breaker and that the isolating switch is on.
  2. Check the battery is charged (12 or 24 volts).
  3. Check the foot switch plunger is contacting.
  4. Check the solenoid is contacting; if it only clicks, suspect low voltage, a faulty solenoid or a loose wire.
  5. Check the wiring between controls, solenoid and motor.
  6. If the motor still will not turn, check the motor brushes are not worn or sticking.

Mechanical

  1. Check the drive key between gearbox and motor input.
  2. Check the drive key on the main shaft to the capstan.
  3. Check the drive key on the main shaft to the gearbox output.
  4. Hydraulic motor problems: refer to a Muir service agent.

Warranty

  • 3 years for the first owner, from the date of purchase, against defects in material and workmanship; effective on receipt of the warranty registration with the serial number.
  • Charter or hire vessels: 1 year. Limited to twelve months for electric motors/controls, hydraulic pumps/controls/valves, weather seals and use on charter/hire/commercial boats.
  • Void if the boat lies directly on the windlass without a chain stopper, or if mooring ropes load the capstan directly instead of a bollard; no circuit breaker also voids it.
  • Not covered: normal wear, neglect, lack of maintenance, improper installation or service by anyone other than an authorised Muir representative, use outside the performance specification. Defective product must be returned to Muir for inspection.

This document covers the Muir models named above, as printed in the PDF. The Muir windlasses we stock today are listed below; motor ratings and parts can differ between generations, so check the model plate and ask us before ordering spares.

Need a part that isn't listed? Ask us to source it and quote the part number from the PDF.

Products in this Manual