We Ship Worldwide! | FREE SHIPPING! for US Continental orders over $145. Click for details.
OWNER'S MANUAL

Installation, chain-locker fall, cable sizing, operation, servicing, troubleshooting, the Quick Fit deck template and exploded views for the Muir Storm VR / VRC 850, 1250 and 2200 vertical windlasses.

DocumentMuir Storm VR/VRC 850–2200 Vertical Windlass Owner's Manual
FormatPDF · 32 pages · 2.9 MB
LanguageEnglish
Download PDF ▾
Owner's ManualPDF · 32 p.Deck template (1:1)PDF · 1 p.
Buy
InstallationElectricalOperationMaintenanceTroubleshootingDeck TemplateExploded ViewsProducts
Muir Storm VR/VRC 850–2200 Vertical Windlass — Owner's Manual

Installation

Positioning

  • Centre the windlass fore and aft with an unhindered lead to the bow roller.
  • The chain runs onto the starboard side of the gypsy, wraps 180° and falls through the chain pipe.
  • Leave room for full rotation of the manual/clutch handle.
  • Gypsy centre height must be in the same plane as the chain lead from the bow roller. On an angled or curved deck, use a shaped mounting block.
  • Do not fit it too far forward or against a bulkhead: aim the chain fall at the centre of the locker. A redirecting tube must be at least 2 times the chain diameter and as vertical as possible.
  • The gearbox and motor can be located in one of 8 positions.

Mounting

  • Mark and drill from the supplied layout template.
  • Fit the nylon insulation gasket between deck (or block) and base, with sealant. On aluminium or steel hulls also insulate bolts, nuts and washers.
  • Light or foam-sandwich decks: fit a plywood stiffener of at least 16 mm (5/8") below deck, with large washers.
  • Loctite 222 or equivalent on the studs under deck; tighten nuts and washers.
  • Quick Fit adaptor: grease shaft, key and hub, slide the motor/gearbox up with key aligned until the retaining clip locks in the groove, then fit the shaft-end bolt and washers with Loctite 222.
  • Protect the motor/gear drive with anti-corrosion film or grease tape.

Minimum chain-locker fall (underside of deck to top of heaped rode)

Vertical model Horizontal model Minimum fall
VR/C 600 HR 600 / 700 / 806 / 808 300 mm
VR/C 850 / 1250 / 2200 HR 1200 450 mm
VR/C 2500 / 3500 HR 2500 / 3500 650 mm
VR/C 4000 HR 4000 / 4200 800 mm

Rope Chain Management System (RCMS): to fit the finger and spring, isolate power, open the chain cover, remove the finger pin, fit spring and finger (spring ends up), refit the pin over the spring end, then turn the pin anti-clockwise to tension and lock it with the grub screw.

Electrical

Battery to motor distance Cable size AWG Cable Ø
7 m (23') 50 mm² 1/0 8 mm (5/16")
9 – 17 m (30' – 55') 85 mm² 3/0 10 mm (3/8")
Model Motor Wiring drawing
VR/C 850 2 pole WIRE1076
VR/C 1250 3 pole WIRE0086
VR/C 2200 3 pole WIRE0086
  • A circuit breaker must be fitted to keep the warranty. It is not an isolating switch.
  • Fit an isolating switch in an accessible place, close to the battery or switches.
  • Deck switches to port, starboard or behind the windlass, reachable by foot or knee, with a view of the anchor coming aboard.
  • Mount the solenoid upright, away from salt and fresh water, close to the motor. Never in the chain locker.
  • Do not over-tighten terminal nuts: hold the bottom nut with a second spanner while tightening the top one.

Operating

  • Free-fall: handle in the clutch bi-square, turn anti-clockwise to release; tighten clockwise to brake the chain.
  • Retrieving: tighten the clutch clockwise and remove the handle first.
  • If the anchor is stuck, motor slowly forward into the wind with a chain stopper in place: never break it out with the windlass.
  • At anchor use a chain stopper, bridle or snubber; never use the windlass as a mooring bollard.
  • Capstan (VRC only): secure the rode, release the clutch, then work the capstan by hand or motor.
  • Mark the chain at 2 and 5 metre (6.5' & 16.5') from the anchor and slow down for the last metres.

Manual Operating System

  • Available for selected chain sizes.
  • Isolate power first. Never run the windlass electrically with the override ring and handle fitted.
  • Use a retaining device (horn cleat, snubber line, chain lock) to prevent runaway during manual retrieval.
  • VR: remove the clutch cap and D-washer. VRC: remove clutch nut and capstan, without dislodging the drive key.
  • Place the override ring over the gypsy and rotate clockwise so the tabs locate in the slots, then wind the gypsy clockwise.

Servicing

Strip-down

  • Rinse with fresh water after every trip. Strip, clean and grease yearly on pleasure boats, more often on work and charter boats. No soap-based grease.
  • The geardrive is filled for life with synthetic oil.
  • VR: remove the clutch nut and D-washer. VRC: remove the clutch nut and capstan (keep the shaft key).
  • Remove the chain cover, the stripper and the peeler, then lift the gypsy off the shaft.
  • Grease the main shaft/cone and gypsy bore before reassembly.

Rope and Line

  • RCMS adjustment: loosen the grub screw, turn the finger pin anti-clockwise to tension the spring, retighten.
  • Designed for treated 3-strand nylon line. Soak it in fresh water with fabric softener every 3 months.
  • Rope/chain splice: seize 400 mm (16") from the end, use 20 mm (3/4") of heat-shrink through the last link, then back-splice and taper the tucks.
When Procedure
At installation Install as above
6 months after installation Check all bolts are tight; check grease tape / anti-corrosion film on motor and geardrive
12 months, 2 years, 3 years Remove chain wheel, clean cones, fully grease and lubricate
4 years after installation Full winch service

Recommended corrosion protection: Tectyl under-body anti-corrosion film and Denso grease tape. If the motor must sit below the chain access hole, a chain pipe extension is required.

Troubleshooting

Electrical

  • Circuit breaker on and isolating switch on.
  • Battery charged to 12 or 24 volts.
  • Foot switch plunger contacting; solenoid contacting (clicking can mean low voltage, a faulty solenoid or a loose wire).
  • Wiring intact between controls, solenoid and motor.
  • If still dead, check the motor brushes for wear or sticking.

Mechanical

  • Clutch tightened onto the gypsy drive with the handle.
  • Line slipping: increase the finger spring tension (RCMS).
  • Drive key between gearbox output and main shaft.
  • Drive key between gearbox and motor input.
  • Hydraulic motor problems: refer to a Muir service agent.

Deck Template (Quick Fit)

Muir drawing STORMDTQF for the Storm VR/C 850–2200 series: three Ø12 mm bolt holes, the Ø71 mm drive cut-out, an optional Ø20 mm hole for an auto anchor sensor, the rope/chain hole and the chain centre line. Cut the chain hole exactly as shown, with a belled-out bottom.

Download the template PDF and print with page scaling set to "None" or 100%. Check the printed 200 mm scale bar, then mark out and check with the windlass in position before drilling.

Exploded Views

Muir part numbers are listed on each exploded view. Quote the part number and the windlass serial number when ordering. The PDF also includes views for the VRC900, VR/VRC1000 and VRC1200.

VR850

Muir Storm VR850 exploded view

VRC850

Muir Storm VRC850 exploded view

VR1250

Muir Storm VR1250 exploded view

VRC1250

Muir Storm VRC1250 exploded view

VR2200

Muir Storm VR2200 exploded view

VRC2200

Muir Storm VRC2200 exploded view

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