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INSTALLATION MANUAL

Dimensions, specifications, placement, model-by-model fitting, auto-stop set-up and wiring for the Sleipner MAXI free-fall rope and chain windlasses (MAXI 31, 32, 34-G, 34-D, 40, 43 and 44), plus the MAXI 32 cut-out template.

DocumentSleipner Maxi Windlasses 31, 32, 34D, 34G, 40, 43, 44 Installation Manual
FormatPDF · 29 pages · 2.8 MB
LanguageEnglish
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Installation ManualPDF · 29 p.Cut-out template – MAXI 32 (print 1:1)PDF · 1 p.
SpecificationsPlacementFittingAuto StopElectricalSafety & TemplateProducts
Sleipner Maxi Windlasses 31, 32, 34D, 34G, 40, 43, 44 — Installation Manual

Windlass Specifications

MAXI
DC system 12v & 24v
Power consumption 10-200A during normal operation
Typical boat size >23ft
Pulling power (electronically governed) Rope windlasses: 1000 W up to approx. 500 kg; 1500 W up to approx. 650 kg
Chain windlasses: up to approx. 850 kg
Pulling speed 20–25 m/min with a load of approx. 40 kg
Weight Approx. 20 kg / 44.1 lbs
Minimum battery 12V/100Ah – 24V/75 Ah
Rope Woven lead rope dia. 16 mm (breaking strain 4000 kg) or 14 mm (3300 kg); 50 m = 21.7 kg, 75 m = 32.0 kg, 100 m = 43.0 kg
Chain (chain windlasses) 6.5 mm short link Norwegian std. (breaking strain 2300 kg); 8 mm DIN 766 std. (4000 kg)
Auto stop Yes (rope windlasses only)
Anchor Sleipner / Bruce / Spade, 10–30 kg

MAXI is Sleipner's name for its 1000 or 1500 W, 12 or 24V free-fall windlasses: the anchor's own weight pulls it out, so avoid friction between rope and hull, rollers or guides. The introduction says boats larger than approx. 25 feet; the specification table says >23ft (as printed).

Windlass Measurements

Model H total height W total width L total length
MAXI 31 396 mm / 15.6" 300 mm / 11.8" 200 mm / 7.9"
MAXI 32 386 mm / 15.2" 230 mm / 9.1" 255 mm / 10"
MAXI 34-G 283 mm / 11" 255 mm / 10" 370 mm / 14.6"
MAXI 34-D 283 mm / 11" 250 mm / 10" 250 mm / 9.8"
MAXI 43 / 44 393 mm / 15.5" 219 mm / 8.6" 238 mm / 9.4"
Model Mounting Line wheel (seen from behind)
MAXI 31 Outside on the stern, or inside on the stern side of a vertical bulkhead Right-hand side
MAXI 32 Outside on a rope box, or outside/inside on a horizontal surface Right-hand side
MAXI 34-G Vertically on a longitudinal bulkhead, line wheel outside, windlass inside Right or left
MAXI 34-D Horizontally on the fore or aft deck –
MAXI 40 Inside on the stern or on the bow side of a vertical bulkhead Left-hand side
MAXI 43 / 44 Bracket turns 360 degrees: hanging, standing or on a bulkhead 43: right; 44: left (seen from stern)

Placing the Parts

  • Plan the winch/motor, brackets for anchor and windlass, cables, switch panel, control box, line guide and main switch/circuit breaker before drilling.
  • Mount the windlass as high as possible: at least 50 cm from the rope locker floor to the bottom edge of the line wheel and an area of at least 40 x 40 cm (room for 50 m of 16 mm rope or approx. 30 m of chain). Less height: check the rope does not bunch under the windlass, or use a shorter rope. Make the bitter end fast inside the boat.
  • Line up the line wheel with the anchor bracket; fit the bracket with its rollers beyond the edge of the platform. A low windlass with a Bruce anchor needs the hinged platform roller.
  • Through-hull opening: oval (top to bottom), sized so the rope never touches its edges; use a hull conduit/line guide with rollers (for example 39-76000, or the simple 39-79000) where the lead is not direct. A side position is recommended at the stern.
  • Secure the seated anchor with the safety line. When pulling in the rope the first time, keep it tight so it runs correctly.

Model-by-Model Fitting

  • MAXI 31: as high as possible on the stern; mark the bolt holes with the drilling template, bolt through (reinforce inside with a plate if needed), level an uneven surface with an intermediate layer, seal the cable hole with MS polymer or similar.
  • MAXI 32: remove the four 8 mm fixing bolts, mark bolt holes, deck pass-through and rope opening, align winch and roller and bolt down. Box version: fit the GRP box to the stern with through-bolted angle brackets, secure the rope end inside the box and drill drain holes in each lower stern corner. Tilt bracket 61-30006/61-30007 fits the angled stern end of the box.
  • MAXI 34-G / 34-D: use the template or the fixing plate (remove cover, line wheel, spring and six screws) to mark screw holes, gear centre hole, auto-stop switch hole and rope hole; cover overlaps the rope hole by approx. 5 mm; round off the hole edges. Fit the gear with the motor pointing forward. 34-G cover: oval rope hole approx. 40 mm vertical by 20 mm horizontal. Line wheel bolt (pos 17) with Loctite or similar, 20Nm.
  • MAXI 40: the drilling template is for marking on the outside of the hull (reverse it to mark inside). Make the oval rope opening first, clamp the anchor bracket temporarily, run the rope tight to the line wheel, position and mark the windlass, then drill the bolt holes with a 9 mm bit. With rope conduit 68-00008 the internal frame of the conduit is the template for the opening.
  • MAXI 43 / 44: with rope guides 39-74000 or 39-75000, fit the rope guide and the first half of the mounting bracket, then the windlass with the other half; adjust the angle and tighten the bracket bolts (20NM, 8mm hex). With the 39-76000 roller conduit, turn the bracket 180 degrees. Rope at least 90 degrees round the line wheel; tighten the line wheel (6 NM, 6mm hex). Standard box roller 65-00001: angled side of the bracket down.

Auto Stop (Rope Windlasses)

  • An inductive sensor under the line wheel reads two brass-wire indicators on the rope: the first stops the windlass just before the anchor reaches the bracket, then it continues at low speed (release and press again) until the second stops it with the anchor seated.
  • The flat end of the sensor normally protrudes approx. 1 mm from its holder towards the rope; make sure the rope cannot snag on it.
  • Positioning: raise the anchor until the thimble is approx. 30 cm below the bracket and mark the rope at the sensor; raise it fully into the bracket and mark again.
  • Fitting: cut the brass wire in two, pierce the rope, push the wire through and fold it along the rope, wind the free end five times round rope and wire, twist the ends, cut to approx. 5 mm and tuck under the wrap. The wrap diameter should match the rope diameter.
  • Check the indicators regularly – the sheave wears them, especially under heavy loads – and replace damaged wire.

Electrical Installation

  • All wiring with the main switch/circuit breaker OFF and no battery cables attached.
  • Battery cable size for total length A+B+C+D+E+F: <6m 25mm2; 6-16m 35mm2; >16m 50mm2.
  • Connect the four motor cables to A1/A2/D1/D2, battery negative to B−, breaker/fuse to B+ and the breaker to the battery main switch.
  • Auto-stop sensor to the control unit: brown, black, blue as in the wiring diagram (not used with chain).
  • Control unit 150800: not water resistant or splash proof – mount it in a dry place close to the windlass motor, cables protruding downwards, on its stand-off mounts (ventilation, no condensation).
  • Use M6 terminals (6 mm bolt hole) for the battery cables and tighten all terminals to maximum 5Nm; fit spacers and washers in the order shown in the guide. Over-tightening damages the terminals.
  • Leave the breaker/fuse disconnected until the installation is complete. Motor running the wrong way: swap D1 and D2 on the control unit.
  • Switch panels 86-08950 or 86-08955 connect to the 150810 contact unit with the 4-way Sleipner cable (black V−, blue IN, grey OUT, red V+); several panels can share one control unit.

Circuit Breaker

  • Main switch / circuit breaker 119-00004 (200-250A) MUST be used in this installation; it works as both MCB and main switch, with one battery and one AUX connection.
  • Switch ON by moving the pin switch upwards; switch OFF with the red button. Mount it within easy reach and turn it OFF when the windlass is not in use.
  • Wrong connection of these high-current components generates heat and can cause fire.

See the control unit (150800) manual for configuration and programming.

Operating Safety

  • Keep clear of the windlass, anchor line, anchor and brackets during operation, and watch the rope or chain while handling the anchor.
  • If the windlass strains while raising, stop for a few seconds and let the boat gain momentum. If the anchor is stuck, pay out some line, make it fast to a cleat and use the boat to break it out: the windlass is not designed for loads beyond its rated pull.
  • The anchor must always be secured to the boat while under way (safety line or other means).
  • Keep the engine running during windlass operation. Children must not operate the windlass. Never use it close to anyone in the water.
  • While dropping the anchor, do not press "UP" until the anchor is resting on the seabed.

MAXI 32 Cut-Out Template

  • Full-size cut-out template for the MAXI 32 (second PDF download).
  • Print on A3 (ISO) or Tabloid 11" x 17" (US) at scale 1:1 and make sure no scaling has occurred: check the printed measurements before cutting.

Warranty: two years for leisure use, one year for commercial and other non-leisure use, from delivery to the end user (dealer and builder grace periods apply). Wearable/service parts are not covered, and skipping the maintenance described in the manuals voids the warranty on the affected parts.

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Products in this Manual