winch maintainance

[kiwiwrangler]

Hello fello boaters,

can anyone tell me whether there is any oil that needs replacing in an electric winch, I have found grease nipples though wondering about oil change if needed.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: winch maintainance

Look around for how it works. If all you have is a motor mounted into the gear network and you can pretty much see all that then I'd say no. If you have a box that is obviously an oil sump of sorts then I'd say yes. If yes you should have readily visible fill and drain plugs.

Really, an electric winch is an intermittent use device. Surely you want the pivot points lubricated (grease zerks) but to have a sump with gears revolving in it to splash oil all over them and keep them cooled, you are looking at a continuous duty kind of thing. And if it weren't for the splash cooling, what's the point in a sump? Wink!

Mark

 

[C.O.L.]

Re: winch maintainance

usually no, they tend to be sealed systems. Most don't even have grease zerts.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: winch maintainance

usually no, they tend to be sealed systems. Most don't even have grease zerts.

Okaye, being curious, what's the point in the sump? As I said oil is to lubricate and to cool. What is there to cool? Grease lubricates and has a much better retention and pressure resistance. Some smaller winches don't have either; just self lubricating bronze bearings/bushings.

Course if you are talking about a half million dollar sloop with all the fancy amenities, surely one doesn't want to be bothered with that nasty ole grease. I'll surely give you that it's nasty. Course that's why I buy the kind I buy. The nastier it is the better it is as a lubricant and the better it resists the elements.

Mark

 

[Grub54891]

Re: winch maintainance

Get a pic of it,and if its electric,a pic of the underside,below deck.,they do make em with oil gearboxes..
Grub

 

[kiwiwrangler]

Re: winch maintainance

Thanks guys, will have a look around the back of it, hard to get at, I will try get some photo's sent asap. thanks again fella's