Marine anchor windlass is a large deck machinery used on ships to release or lift anchor chains. Usually installed on the main deck at the bow and stern of the ship.
As the basic equipment of modern ships, it equips every ship. So the maintenance of the anchor machine is very important.
Various types of windlass have different driving methods, tonnage, and appearance. As a common deck equipment, windlass is frequently used. So, how to better maintain and upkeep the anchor machine? This article will be helpful.
When will a new anchor be replaced?
Consider replacing the windlass in the following situations:
Compared to the original, the weight of the anchor has been reduced by approximately 20%.
The thickness of the anchor base has been reduced by 25% compared to the original thickness.
- The wear of the anchor chain connection chain is greater than 12% of the original diameter.
- The anchor cannot work continuously for 30 minutes.
- The anchoring speed is less than 9m/min.
- Unable to work continuously for 2 minutes under overload tension.
Does the electric anchor not work?
Whether your windlass is wireless remote control or manual control. Generally speaking, using a voltmeter to check the controller, control box, and motor can solve most problems. What you need to do is:
- Check if each controller is powered correctly
- Check if the voltage is too low
- Check if the battery and cables are damaged or loose
- Check the faulty motor winding
If everything is normal and the problem still exists, replacing the anchor motor with a new one is always the quickest method. In addition, it is important to maintain a seal to ensure that the casing is not damaged, in order to prevent water ingress and corrosion of the motor.
Daily inspection of windlass
In daily use, it is necessary to check whether the hydraulic oil and motor are overheated. Checking the quality of hydraulic oil is a good way to protect hydraulic pipelines and equipment.
Regularly inspect the base and fixing screws, remove rust, and effectively reduce the wear of steel parts.
Check the braking situation and test the brake band through emergency braking.
Remove rust and keep the surface of the anchor machine clean and free of corrosion.
What should be noted when using an anchor?
Before using the windlass, conduct a trial run to check if its no-load operation is normal.
During the anchoring process, if you need to brake, please ensure that the brake is firm to avoid wearing the brake band.
When retrieving, avoid overloading, choose an appropriate retrieval speed, and avoid misoperation and forced anchor retrieval. When retrieving anchors, use medium to low speeds to avoid prolonged use of speeds that are too low or too high.
After use, confirm brake safety, disengage clutch, insert locating pin, and turn off power.
How often should you check the anchor machine?
Check the quality of hydraulic oil once a month.
Before operating the windlass, check the hydraulic oil level and remove any air from the hydraulic system.
Check the temperature of the hydraulic oil during use, and in cold areas, check if the hydraulic oil is too cold. We also need to monitor the oil pressure well.
Check the electronic control box and internal components once a month.
Clean and inspect the hydraulic filter every three months. Check for water ingress and rust, and add lubricating oil to each section.
It is necessary to check the set values of the safety valve and pressure relief valve once a year, and check the tightness of the screws.
Disassemble the gearbox every three years, check the condition of the seals, and replace the oil.
How to detect the parts of the anchor of the windlass?
There are several parts of daily inspection that we need to pay attention to:
We can use calipers for precise monitoring of the wear and tear of anchor components. Parts with severe wear and tear need to be replaced, so you need to regularly lubricate moving parts and fasteners.
The parts of the windlass are deformed, and it is necessary to check whether the parts are deformed, such as the load-bearing parts. This will result in parts not being suitable and you will need to disassemble them for inspection or replacement.
In addition to surface cracks, we can also use a hammer to determine the integrity of the internal structure of the damaged parts of the anchor based on the tone.
Dust accumulation on windlass components and carbon accumulation on components and motors can reduce the efficiency of the windlass, requiring the use of a blower to remove dust.