Maxwell VWC3000 Specs

[fwilmeth]

Hi all,
Recently acquired a 1987 Slocum 43 sailboat with a Maxwell VWC3000 windlass. It seems to have quit after about half dozen lifts. I think the motor is shorting out due to faulty deck seal allowing grease to flow through into the motor. Maxwell says they don't make parts for it anymore (surprise, surprise!). Any one know where I might get spec sheets, diagrams, parts lists, etc.? I would prefer to rebuild it rather than replace it but would like to know I'm not sailing completely blind.

[GMac]

The VWC (Vertical With Capstan) range is now old school as everyone has moved to auto rope/chain capable. But I may have what you are looking for at the office, I'll have a suss tomorrow for you.

If it's just a dodgy motor then that's easy peasy to sort out. If its more then maybe not so.

[fwilmeth]

Thanks. Any help will be appreciated. I think the problem lies in the deck seal. There is a lot of grease on the windings in the motor. When I clean it off and re-install it, the windlass works but not for more than one or two lifts. After which I see the grease leaking from the bottom of the motor casing again.

[GMac]

I've suss the files and they do go back a fair way but I can't finding nothing about a VWC3000, no references at all bar to a 3000 Capstan.

What Maxwell have done a few times is re-name the odd model when they make improvements. The 3000 being 3000lb so a slight improvement could make that 3500lb. So I'm thinking the 3000 may have become the 3500. Not totally sure but I know the 1200 became the 1500, the 2200 became the 2500 so........

Check this out, a manual of the 3500 that has as exploded diagram which may help you. It's a PDF to download, 3.3mb.
3500 - http://www.maxwellmarine.com/downloader.php?i=312

See if that helps and let me know how you go.

[Jim Cate]

Not totally sure but I know the 1200 became the 1500, the 2200 became the 2500 so........

RE 1200/1500: I have one of each. There is a difference in the coupling between the gearbox and the main casting, and a much needed seal on the main shaft in the 1500, but the same motor and the same gearbox, so I reckon the increase in rating is sourced in the sales department, not the engineering department!

And for the OP... I'm not understanding the connection between a deck seal and grease in the mmotor. At least in the smaller models, the only grease source is the gearbox. There is a seal between that grease and the motor... is that what you are referencing?

Jim

[GMac]

Yeap, your right there Jim, the marketing dept of most companies can make the easy harder.

Good to see your comment on the 1200/1500, we have long suspected there ws more then just motor up rating or whatever the line was. But then they have also done some engineering changes but kept the same model number so that's not helping either.

[fwilmeth]

Thanks for the link to the download and manual. It appears to be the same unit with only minor differences. Specs, construction, and tolerances appear to be the same with a different motor orientation (horizontal vs. vertical). AND it gives me the part number of the deck seal that an agent of Maxwell told me doesn't exist. I really appreciate the help. With these drawings I feel a lot better about tearing this thing apart.