Maxwell VWC 4000 Series Manual Download

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2.0

INSTALLATION

2.1

SELECTION OF POSITION FOR THE WINDLASS

Windlasses of this size will often be installed in pairs,
giving  an  emergency  backup  in  the  event  of
mechanical  or  electrical  failure.  In  this  case  one  of
the  windlasses  will  normally  be  retrieving  anchor
running clockwise and the other anticlockwise.
Position  of  the  windlass  should  be  selected  together
with positions of hawse pipe and spurling pipe.
The  deckplate  should  be  installed  pointing  with  its
narrower  end  in  the  direction  of  the  incoming  chain.
That allows the chain to have maximum engagement
with the chainwheel.
Allow  the  chain  a  straight  run  from  the  bow  roller  to
the chainwheel with no more than a 2° deviation from
horizontal (Picture 2.1).
The  bow  roller  should  have  a  vertical  groove  to  suit
the  profile  of  the  chain.  Its  centre  line  should  be
tangentional to the chainwheel (Picture 2.2). This will
align  the  chain  so  that  it  enters  the  chainwheel
without twisting.
When positioning the  windlass, make sure that there
is  room  to swing  the  clutch  lever,  so  that  it  will  clear
the pulpit and life lines or bulwark.
The  fitting  of  a  chain  stopper  is  essential  to  take  the
load off the windlass while the vessel is at anchor. It
must  be  correctly  aligned  with  the  direction  of  chain
and installed at appropriate height to avoid the chain
rubbing  over  chain  stopper  body  or  pawl.  Make  sure
the chain stopper clears the anchor stock.
A  tensioner  device  to  tension  the  anchor  into  its
pocket is  recommended. If  the  anchor  is  not  snug  in
the pocket, it could cause damage to the pocket in a
heavy seaway.
Ensure  a  minimum  of  800mm  (32")  clearance
between the end of spurling pipe and the chain piled
up  in  the  chain  locker  (Picture  2.3).  This  will  assist
kinks, which may develop in outgoing chain, to shake
free.
The  chain  must  gravity  feed  into  the  locker.  If  the
chainpipe  cannot  be  positioned  directly  over  the
locker,  a  heavy  wall  pipe  can  be  used  to  direct  the
chain  to  the  required  area.  It  is  important  that  the
chain  slips  through  the  pipe  easily;  completely
unaided. Sharp corners should be avoided. It may be
necessary to provide the pipe with a bell mouth or to
bell  mouth  the  entrance  to  the  chainpipe  from  the
locker  to  assist  the  free  flow  of  the  chain  from  the
locker.
The  chain  locker  must  be  of  such  a  size  and  shape
that  the  chain  will  heap  up  and  feed  out  naturally
without fouling.
If  it  can  be  arranged,  the  chain  locker  bulkhead
should  pass  between  the  chainpipe  outlet  in  the
deckplate  and  the  gearbox.    This  will  keep  the
gearbox,  motor  and  power  lines  dry  and  away  from
flaying  chain.    Access  for  servicing  from  inside  the
cabin area can usually be arranged through a locker.
Note  that  the  gearbox  can  be  indexed  through  a
number of different angles in relation to the windlass
deckplate  (Picture  2.4).  Be  sure  to  select  the  most
convenient  arrangement  at  installation  and  ensure
incoming  chain  well  clears  the  gearbox,  motor  and
power supply lines.