Maxwell 1100 assistance in a pinch

albinalaska · Jul 30, 2020

Looking for a bit of help here. Appreciate any input.

Trying to get a windlass working for our voyage where it will certainly be depended upon. Windlass ia a Maxwell 1100 - can't find much on them so I assume it's older than it looks. It's a single direction - up only. The solenoid is believed to have failed (as it turns over fine when the solenoid was bypassed for a test) but the Fisheries Supply crew here in Seattle aren't sure which one to give me and have limited stock.

The "failed" solenoid is nothing that I've be able to track down (might be an old automotive? It's clearly older than it looks (very few markings) but it looks similar to the kind on my engines than anything maxwell sells so it probably was never the correct type). Long story longer:

The solenoid they have in stock for Maxwell windlasses is: MXW SP5102. Link below.

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/max...g-solenoid-for-permanent-magnet-motors-sp5102

As stated in the title of the link, it's a reversing solenoid. With both an up and down feature. Again mine is only a up. With freefall for down.

Question: Can this solenoid work with my windlass? Does anyone have experience with this? The employee wasn't sure why it WOULD work but my thinking is that can't I just use the up connection and not the down? Up and down are never operated at the same time so I don't understand why this might be an issue. I just need to get the boat home safe and can order whatever is needed down the line - but we're trying to leave this Saturday on a 14 day trip. That would be quite the arm workout if we can't figure something out in a pinch.

Porgy · Jul 30, 2020

I’d be talking to Maxwell support. They’ve always been responsive when I had a question. I don’t even see an 1100 model. 1000, 1200, 1500 but no 1100.

hollywood8118 · Jul 30, 2020

A windless is typically just a "dumb" electric motor, the control is similar to a starter on a car, with the exception of an extra pole to reverse the motor

(but apparently not in your case). Many windlasses seem to use the same generic solenoid, the important part is the amp capacity and its duty. I wouldn't think it should be a hard thing to swap the solenoid out to get you going.

If its truly a single direction these should work.

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/maxwell-windlass-single-direction-solenoid-kit-sp1393

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/cole-hersee-200-amp-continuous-duty-solenoids-24213-bx

HOLLYWOOD

motion30 · Jul 30, 2020

Easy enough to go to an NAPA and get a high amp continuous duty 12-volt solenoid
from what you described as a one directional motor it is nothing complicated

Caphenning · Jul 30, 2020

albinalaska said:
Looking for a bit of help here. Appreciate any input.

Trying to get a windlass working for our voyage where it will certainly be depended upon. Windlass ia a Maxwell 1100 - can't find much on them so I assume it's older than it looks. It's a single direction - up only. The solenoid is believed to have failed (as it turns over fine when the solenoid was bypassed for a test) but the Fisheries Supply crew here in Seattle aren't sure which one to give me and have limited stock.

The "failed" solenoid is nothing that I've be able to track down (might be an old automotive? It's clearly older than it looks (very few markings) but it looks similar to the kind on my engines than anything maxwell sells so it probably was never the correct type). Long story longer:

The solenoid they have in stock for Maxwell windlasses is: MXW SP5102. Link below.

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/max...g-solenoid-for-permanent-magnet-motors-sp5102

As stated in the title of the link, it's a reversing solenoid. With both an up and down feature. Again mine is only a up. With freefall for down.

Question: Can this solenoid work with my windlass? Does anyone have experience with this? The employee wasn't sure why it WOULD work but my thinking is that can't I just use the up connection and not the down? Up and down are never operated at the same time so I don't understand why this might be an issue. I just need to get the boat home safe and can order whatever is needed down the line - but we're trying to leave this Saturday on a 14 day trip. That would be quite the arm workout if we can't figure something out in a pinch.

You can use it, you’ll just use one pole. You can also get one of these since it’s a one way motor. All you need is a continuous duty 12v motor control solenoid that handles sufficient amps. You can get them at most auto parts stores.

albinalaska · Aug 3, 2020

UPDATE: (Resolved)

Really appreciate all the replies! For those interested or with a similar problem in the future:

The solenoid was certainly the issue. Contacted Will at Vetas-Maxwell,Inc. (he's incredibly helpful by the way) - said that the 1100 was made for one year - from 1989-1990 - then the marketing department decided to round up the model number. They are basically the exact same thing as the 1200. He recommended the appropriate solenoid: SP5102. I can upgrade to a down switch at another time but for now just have the one-way.

Porgy · Aug 3, 2020

Thanks for the update. I dealt with Will previously and he was very helpful. i read somewhere they make or try to make their products backward compatible so parts should be more available.

Okydowky · Oct 18, 2020

albinalaska said:
UPDATE: (Resolved)

Really appreciate all the replies! For those interested or with a similar problem in the future:

The solenoid was certainly the issue. Contacted Will at Vetas-Maxwell,Inc. (he's incredibly helpful by the way) - said that the 1100 was made for one year - from 1989-1990 - then the marketing department decided to round up the model number. They are basically the exact same thing as the 1200. He recommended the appropriate solenoid: SP5102. I can upgrade to a down switch at another time but for now just have the one-way.

Thanks for clarifying this Albin, I have been trying to get information on our 1100 also but always end up at the V1000.
I’m trying to find what size of chain is recommended for our gypsy? We were down chain shopping yesterday and tried 8 different sizes of chain with gypsy in hand. With no perfect match!
We currently have Danforth (Not a fan of this anchor coming from a Bruce) anchor with 1/4” chain that fits not bad, but is so wore out and I feel under sized for the boat. I was hoping to fit 5/16” G4 in the gypsy but that fit isn’t idle either. Curious what sizes a few of you run on similar winches?
New boat to us.
46 LOA
#30,000 fully loaded
We are yearly cruisers up in Northern Vancouver Islands, and after just getting back in from last week gales at anchor. And yes we have many years at anchor for the critics.
We need to upgrade to some good/better ground tackle.

albinalaska · Oct 18, 2020

If you look on the chain wheel there should be a number usually. On mine it said “108”. I talked to Will at Maxwell-Vetas and he said for the 1100 we needed “5/16ths High Test ISO Short Link”. If that still doesn’t fit maybe the condition of the snugs are inadequate and you need to replace parts?

Maxwell 1100 assistance in a pinch

albinalaska

Veteran Member

Porgy

Guru

hollywood8118

Guru

motion30

Guru

Caphenning

Senior Member

albinalaska

Veteran Member

Porgy

Guru

Okydowky

Senior Member

albinalaska

Veteran Member

Similar threads

Latest posts