Maxwell windlass question

[CTdave]

Does anyone else have a Maxwell RC10? I am just about to install a new one but found something disturbing in the instructions. In the "operation" section, it says to lower or raise the anchor, I have to first walk out with a hand crank to lock down the clutch?????????????
This isn't what I consider an automatic windlass if I have to back & forth to raise/lower or make adjustments with a winch handle in my hand.

David

 

[Vincentc]

I just completed the install of an RC 10/8. I remember reading that part, but I think that has to do with something else. In any case, you press the switch one way and it goes up, and the other way it goes down. It switches from the 8 strand line to the chain without a hitch.

The hard part of the install was repair of the rotted deck coring. The install otherwise went smoothly (I had some cables made up at Genuinedealz.com where the existing cables came up short)

I did make a mistake with the wiring for the remote switch. I bought and ran duplex 14ga wire from the solenoid to the switch on the FB, then learned that I had to run a third wire from the battery to the remote switch. Triplex would probably have been neater and because I overlooked this I had to run two wires.

 

[ron6785]

Don't know about you brand of windlass but the bar or wrench is a way to tighten the so called clutch (in my case below) thewildcat/gypsy to the point that it will lift the anchor but if there is too much resistance it will allow the wildcat to slip so as not to damage the main gear on the shaft or the worm gear on the motor. This is a good thing and it does take some adjusting but its better to be too loose than too tight to avoid chipping teeth on the main gear.

 

[dave1985]

I saw the same directions on the all chain Maxwell I just installed. Once the gypsy is locked in correctly, it's just a switch up, switch down thing and, if it works smoothly, it will keep doing so without adjusting.

 

[CTdave]

Thanks everyone!
I actually just came back here to report I received an email back from Maxwell stating what you have just said. The person's note ended with "we really should clarify this in the book, it is misleading to many".

Thanks again!!

David