Maxwell Freedom 500 User manual

Freedom Windlass
Installation and Operation Manual

Copyright Maxwell Marine International, 2008.
All rights reserved.
Maxwell Marine International reserves the right to make
engineering refinements on all products without notice.
Illustrations and specifications are not binding as to detail.
Part No: P103102
160210

Freedom Windlass 1
Table of Contents
Preliminary Information.............................................................................................................. 2
Introduction............................................................................................................................... 2
Components............................................................................................................................. 2
General Layout......................................................................................................................... 3
Important Safety Information.................................................................................................... 4
Identifying your Windlass ......................................................................................................... 5
Parts of the Windlass ............................................................................................................... 7
Parts of the Gearbox and Capstan........................................................................................... 8
Parts List .................................................................................................................................. 9
Ordering Spare Parts ............................................................................................................. 11
Rope and Chain Selection Guide........................................................................................... 12
Installation.................................................................................................................................. 13
General Requirements........................................................................................................... 13
Installation Instructions........................................................................................................... 16
Rope Splicing Notes............................................................................................................... 19
Wiring Instructions.................................................................................................................. 20
Operation.................................................................................................................................... 25
Loading the Rope/Chain......................................................................................................... 25
Anchoring Tips ....................................................................................................................... 25
Lowering the Anchor............................................................................................................... 26
Raising the Anchor................................................................................................................. 26
Free falling the Anchor ........................................................................................................... 26
Raising the Anchor Manually.................................................................................................. 26
Using the Capstan Drum for Rope Warping .......................................................................... 27
Maintenance............................................................................................................................... 28
Trouble Shooting Guide ........................................................................................................... 31
Reference Information .............................................................................................................. 32
Specifications ......................................................................................................................... 32
Dimensions............................................................................................................................. 33
Typical Greasing Instructions................................................................................................. 34
Additional Resources
The following resources are included at the back of this manual:
Deck Drilling Template
Deck Drilling Template - Performance Plate
Warranty Form
Contact Details (on back cover)

2 Freedom Windlass
Preliminary Information
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a Maxwell Freedom windlass. Please read these instructions
carefully to enable you to correctly install and maintain the windlass for years of trouble-free
operation.
Note
Failure to follow the correct installation, operation or maintenance instructions will jeopardise your
safety and also invalidate the warranty.
Components
In addition to this instruction manual, the following components are included with the Freedom
windlass:
•Windlass in two components:
•Topworks assembly
•Motor and gearbox
•Remote up/down control panel
•Circuit breaker/isolator panel
•12V or 24V reversing solenoid
•Manual crank handle
•Performance plate
•Deckplate gasket
•Small parts:
•Nuts
•Flat washer
•Spring washer
•Key
•Quick release clip
•Spare pressure arm kit
These components are illustrated in “Figure 1 - Freedom windlass components” on page 3.

Freedom Windlass 3
Figure 1 - Freedom windlass components
(Optional extras include: footswitches, warping capstan and rope/chain counter).
General Layout
Solenoid pack
Footswitch
Remote control
panel
Circuit breaker/isolator
Battery
+ -
Figure 2 - General layout

4 Freedom Windlass
Important Safety Information
•Make sure your windlass has been correctly specified before installation. Personal safety
may depend on it. The windlass must have a maximum pull capacity of at least three times
the combined weight of the anchor and chain.
•Correct fit of the chain to the chainwheel is essential. See "Rope and Chain Selection Guide"
on page 12.
•Keep hands, feet, loose clothing and hair well clear of the windlass and rope/chain during
operation.
•While raising the anchor, run the boat's engine above idle. This will minimise the power drain
on the batteries.
•Never operate the windlass from a remote station without having a clear view of the windlass.
•Do NOT use the windlass as a bollard. When anchoring or mooring, secure the line directly
to a bollard or deck cleat.
•Do NOT use the windlass to pull the boat forward when raising the anchor. Use the boat's
engine to drive the boat up to the anchor.
•Do NOT attempt to break free a fouled anchor with the windlass. Secure the line to a bollard
or cleat and use the boat's engine to break the anchor out.
•Always firmly tie down the anchor when under way or in heavy seas. Do not rely on the
windlass as a securing device.
•Always turn the circuit breaker/isolator switch off when the windlass is not in use and before
you leave the boat.
•Keep the anchor rope/chain in good condition, free from knots and twists. Inspect the rope
regularly for chafe. Where this has occurred, repair by cutting away the affected portion and
re-splice.
Tip: The rope can be swapped end-for-end to extend its life.
•Tie the end of the anchor rope/chain rode to a secure fixture in the chain locker.
•Do NOT use the windlass to haul a person up a mast.

Freedom Windlass 5
Identifying your Windlass
Before ordering spare parts, use the steps below to identify the model of your windlass.
1. Standard or Capstan
There are two different styles of Freedom windlass – standard (low profile) and capstan.
Standard Capstan
Figure 3- Standard and capstan versions
2. Chainwheel identification
To determine which model of chainwheel you have look at the number in the bi-square on the top of
the windlass as shown below. There are 4 models of chainwheel: Freedom 500, 500M, 800 and
800M.
Freedom 500
Figure 4 - Chainwheel identification

6 Freedom Windlass
3. Motor size – 500 and 800 and Voltage – 12V and 24V
To determine whether you have a 12 Volt or 24 Volt motor, check the badge on the motor.
Freedom 500 - 600W 12V and 24V Freedom 800 – 1000W 12V and 24V
Figure 5 - Motor variants
4. Deck clearance
To determine the deck clearance of your windlass, measure from the bottom of the deckplate to the
centreline of the motor (DMC = Deck to Motor Centreline).
154mm DMC
For decks up to 65 mm thick 254mm DMC
For decks up to 165 mm thick
Figure 6 - Deck clearance variants

Freedom Windlass 7
Parts of the Windlass
Figure 7 - Parts of the windlass

8 Freedom Windlass
Parts of the Gearbox and Capstan
Figure 8 - Parts of the gearbox and capstan