Lofrans windlass motor question

Backstory. When I bought my 500 the windlass wasn’t working. Previous owner has a mechanic come down and told him the motor was bad. He bought a new motor but never was able to get the tech back to install prior to the deal closing. He agreed to credit me to have someone on my side of state fix.
I’m looking at this today through the access panel and seems like a simple job. 3 bolts on the motor and three more for wiring. I did notice on new motor a key way. Can the motor be replaced while windlass is still Attached to deck?

Almightys said:

Backstory. When I bought my 500 the windlass wasn’t working. Previous owner has a mechanic come down and told him the motor was bad. He bought a new motor but never was able to get the tech back to install prior to the deal closing. He agreed to credit me to have someone on my side of state fix.
I’m looking at this today through the access panel and seems like a simple job. 3 bolts on the motor and three more for wiring. I did notice on new motor a key way. Can the motor be replaced while windlass is still Attached to deck?

Click to expand...

Just went through this two months ago. First off you can't find parts for the Lorfarns. Least I couldn't, not the ones I needed. My motor was working but the terminals were corroded. Even if I got the windless poortoion of this contraption to work I'ld still be looking at replacing the whole mess somewhere down the road. After checking all my options: power, chain, repair parts and service availability, I elected to go with all new system. Chose an AnchorLift. Not sure what level of DIY you are but it's a bit of a challenge. Do able but a bit fiddle getting the mounting bolts threaded and everything secure. Needed a hand to make all that happen. Had to make the base and backing plate work and the mounting holes were a bit different and so on. Now I put this on a 510DA. Figure your boat is much the same arrangement. All that aside, the wiring and switches were a plug and play. Any way, look the, up Anchor Lift. Better yet give Johon Lynch a call. He is the guy that runs the shop and makes your order to fit your specification. 239-770-2030

If you have a motor for the Lorfran there is always a secondary market whit the sailing boats. Check out their various web pages. Just a thought.

+1 on the no parts or very expensive. The motor on mine is exploding with rust. On borrowed time I know. About $900.00+ for replacement. Had a chat with the folks from Lofrans Germany and there is a less expensive choice, but you haver to replace other parts to make it work. So I'm going to replace it all when I find the right one.
Good luck with yours.

Yes great input from all but I have the motor and I know there is power going to unit. I am giving the previous owners tech the benefit of the doubt that it was diagnosed properly. the motor faces away from the access panel which mean I won’t see to align this key way. I am hoping if I seen which way it was pointed on removal that I’ll be able to do the same upon install. It’s just a bit heavy holding the motor, aligning and then getting a bolt to catch.

Almightys said:

Yes great input from all but I have the motor and I know there is power going to unit. I am giving the previous owners tech the benefit of the doubt that it was diagnosed properly. the motor faces away from the access panel which mean I won’t see to align this key way. I am hoping if I seen which way it was pointed on removal that I’ll be able to do the same upon install. It’s just a bit heavy holding the motor, aligning and then getting a bolt to catch.

Click to expand...

I strapped a rope around the darned thing while my buddy pulled up in place. The rope was thought one of the acces holes. Still not a fun thing but we got it done. I had to grind a bit of fiberglass material off to get the right bolt length with the base plate and all.
Good luck.

Almightys said:

Backstory. When I bought my 500 the windlass wasn’t working. Previous owner has a mechanic come down and told him the motor was bad. He bought a new motor but never was able to get the tech back to install prior to the deal closing. He agreed to credit me to have someone on my side of state fix.
I’m looking at this today through the access panel and seems like a simple job. 3 bolts on the motor and three more for wiring. I did notice on new motor a key way. Can the motor be replaced while windlass is still Attached to deck?

Click to expand...

Depends on if you have the room in the compartment. I have a discontinued Lofrans Marlin windlass and I had to pull the whole unit to get at the motor. It had completely stopped running. I was told the motor was bad like your self. I pulled the whole unit today. My unit has 4 bolts through the deck. Getting it out to be honest was pretty easy. Getting it back in took some extra finagling to get everything to line up but in all it wasn’t very hard. If you’re motor looks to be in good shape I would suggest checking the motor brushes. Mine were hanging up in the brush holders. They looked like new with plenty of meat. Pulled them out lightly sanded them and reinstalled. My unit is functioning perfectly now. Then you can keep the new motor as a spare.

Ok looks like I have enough room in the locker to pull the motor out itself. Hoping putting the new one in will be just as easy

Well motor came out easy but there seems to be another issue. Once the bolts came out and sliding motor out, about 4-6 oz of water poured out. Now I know why the motor wasn’t working eh. Trying to figure out how the water got in there? I put the new motor in to make sure the gear box wasn’t seized and it works fine. Maybe there is some seal kit between gearbox and top side?

Spoke to IMTRA. They are still selling seal kits for these which may be part of the problem on mine. No gear boxes though. If that goes no gotta. Hoping I can drain and fill gear box with 90wt, new seals and cal it a day.

DB360 said:

+1 on the no parts or very expensive. The motor on mine is exploding with rust. On borrowed time I know. About $900.00+ for replacement. Had a chat with the folks from Lofrans Germany and there is a less expensive choice, but you haver to replace other parts to make it work. So I'm going to replace it all when I find the right one.
Good luck with yours.

Click to expand...

DB360, is yours a Progress 1? If it is and you're scraping it, I'll buy the gypsy off of it.

Yes it is. The windlass still works, but I know it will quit one of these days. Will keep in mind about the gypsy.