Odd problem with Lewmar 77 hydraulic winch

[CarstenWL]

Hi,

I might need your input ;-) ...

I have a problem with a 3-speed Lewmar 77 hydraulic (mainsheet) winch.

All of the sudden (of course), the second speed will not work any longer. If you press the button for the second speed you can see that the winch wants to turn but will stop immediately.

The setup is: Button for slow speed (and very fast speed if engaged at the winch), second button for medium speed.

I know that the button is ok and the hydraulic motor is ok too. Also took the winch apart, all fine as it seems.

The very odd thing: When I change the hydraulic hoses and the 'buttons' to another valve port (starboard genoa Lewmar 88 winch for instance) the error will NOT move to the other side.

I than can control the 77 main sheet winch with the genoa winch controls and vice versa. If I switch back, second speed on the main sheet is not working.

What am I overlooking?

Thanks,

Carsten

[DeepFrz]

You probably have solenoids that control the hydraulic flow. I would check the solenoid that is connected to the "MediumSpeed" switch.

[CarstenWL]

@DeepFrz:

Thanks for the swift reply! Yes, Vicker's DG4V 3 ... Directional Control valves with Vicker's 507848 solenoid.

I was 'only' puzzled why when changing ports with the genoa winch both winches would actually work ok but maybe the genoa winch 'is just happy with the pressure/flow she gets when hooked up to the 'original main sheet port' ...

No hydraulic expert talking here ;-) ...

Ragards,

Carsten

[DeepFrz]

I'm no hydraulic expert either but maybe asking some questions will help you.

Does medium speed work when there is no load on the winch?

You say "suddenly". Does this mean it is intermittent or does it not work in medium speed at all?

Did you change over the solenoid when you changed the hoses and switches?

A block diagram showing the pumps, solenoids, hydraulic connections and switches/wiring might help.

I suspect a sticky solenoid but its baffling that it works when you switch parts between the two winches. A high resistance electrical connection in the switch combined with a sticky solenoid could explain the problem.

[CarstenWL]

... sorry for the delay in answering your thoughts, was busy otherwise ... ;-)

Does medium speed work when there is no load on the winch?

--> No

You say "suddenly". Does this mean it is intermittent or does it not work in medium speed at all?

--> not at all.

Did you change over the solenoid when you changed the hoses and switches?

--> In fact I now just changed the control wires (Genoa<-->Mainsheet winch) at the solenoids and it works ... And it is really strange that the problem 'does not move to the other side' ...

Just found out that a second function on the same block is also missing. I can not open the garage door any longer :-( ...

Same symptom ... here the command at the control block but thats it ...

Will report here if I find the problem over the next days.

Regards from sunny Antigua

Carsten