POWERWINCH 915 User manual

P7040104r6Printed in USA May, 2022
OWNER'S MANUAL
Model 915
BOAT TRAILER WINCH
pw915101
Setup with double line pull (pulley block)
12 Volt Powered Winch
Power-In / Power-Out Operation
Hand Held Wired Remote Control
Thoroughly read the manual furnished with this product and be
familiar with the controls. Do not allow individuals to operate
the winch without understanding the safe operation and
procedures for the equipment.

ii
PROPRIETARY STATEMENT
The Powerwinch Trailer Winch is a product of Scott Fetzer Electrical Group or
SFEG,located in Fairview,Tennessee,USA. The information contained in or
disclosed in this document is considered proprietary to SFEG.Every effort has
been made to ensure that the information presented in the document is accurate
and complete. However, SFEG assumes no liability for errors or for any
damages that result from the use of this document.
The information contained in this manual pertains to the current configuration of the
models listed on the title page. Earlier model configurations may differ from the
information given. SFEG reserves the right to cancel, change, alter or add any parts
and assemblies, described in this manual, without prior notice.
SFEG agrees to allow the reproduction of this document for use with SFEG
products only. Any other reproduction or translation of this document in whole
or part is strictly prohibited without prior written approval from SFEG.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Safety Information..................................................................................iii
Specifications.........................................................................................iv
Winch Specifications..............................................................................iv
Approximate Rolling Load Capacities (values are in pounds)................iv
Winch & Boat Capacities (values are in pounds) ...................................iv
Mounting the Unit....................................................................................1
Mounting the Unit.......................................................................................... 1
Wiring the Unit.........................................................................................2
Pulley Block.............................................................................................3
Assembly Instructions:........................................................................... 3
Double Lining the Winch ........................................................................ 3
Operating the Winch...............................................................................4
Unloading The Boat....................................................................................... 4
Loading the Boat........................................................................................... 4
Emergency Hand Crank................................................................................ 5
Maintenance.............................................................................................5
Lubrication..................................................................................................... 5
Adjusting the Brake....................................................................................... 6
Replacing the Cable...................................................................................... 6
Troubleshooting Guide.................................................................................. 7
Replacement Parts List ..........................................................................8
Warranty.................................................................................................10
Powerwinch
by SFEG 2268 Fairview Blvd Fairview, TN 37062 1.800.793.4793 | www.powerwinch.com

iii
SAFETY INFORMATION
The following Safety Precautions Must be Followed at ALL Times. Failure
to follow the warnings and cautions in this manual could result in serious
injury and/or property damage.
WARNING ALWAYS unplug the wiring harness before attempting
to install, relocate, service or perform maintenance on the winch.
WARNING NEVER use the winch to lift or move people or animals.
WARNING NEVER use the winch for overhead lifting.
WARNING NEVER attempt to pull a load greater than the rated
load of the winch.
WARNING NEVER use the winch to exclusively hold, support or
permanently secure the load. Use separate straps to support the load.
WARNING ALWAYS stand away from the winch during operation.
ALWAYS stand clear of the area behind and between the load and the winch.
Serious injury could occur if the cable breaks.
WARNING NEVER wear loose fitting clothes, scarves, ties or jewelry
when operating the winch. Loose clothing can become caught in moving parts.
WARNING ALWAYS block the vehicle wheels to help prevent the
vehicle from moving when pulling a loadwith the winch.
CAUTION ALWAYS use the recommended cable. Never substitute
rope for cable.
CAUTION ALWAYS keep hands clear of the cable spool (drum area).
CAUTION ALWAYS wear leather gloves when handling the cable.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING This product contains chemicals known to the state
of California to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm.
California’s Proposition 65 requires this warning to be given to customers
in the state of California.

iv
SPECIFICATIONS
Various load conditions affect winch performance. The line pull required for a
specific application depends on the weight of the load, condition of the trailer
rollers, and the degree of the loading ramp incline. The charts below are based
on a single line pull and provided as a guideline in calculating pulling capabilities.
WARNING The cable fasteners on this or any winch are not
designed to hold rated loads independently. Always leave a minimum of
five wraps of cable on the drum to achieve the rated load values.
Winch Specifications
8"
9 5/8"
8 3/4"
10"
Remote Control Socket Power Receptacle
pw915016
Line Speed @
Capacity (FPM) Gear Ratio Voltage Circuit Breaker Unit Weight
10 450:1 12VDC 60 amps 40 lbs
Approximate Rolling Load Capacities (values are in pounds)
% Incline Level 5% 10% 20% 30% 50% 70% 100%
˚Incline 0˚3˚6˚11˚17˚26˚35˚45˚
32000 20010 15060 10200 7830 5580 4590 3870
A 10% incline (6˚) is 1 foot rise in 10 feet.
To convert from pounds (lbs) to kilograms (kgs) divide by 2.2.
Capacity can be increased by using a pulley block.
Winch & Boat Capacities (values are in pounds)
Vertical Lift
Capacity Double Line Pull Approximate Boat Weight* Approximate Boat Size*
3200 5900 9500 22-29 Feet
* Boat size and weight is approximate and varies depending on boat type.
When calculating boat weight, use the fully loaded weight that includes boat,
motor, fuel, water, gear etc.

POWERWINCH 915 BOAT TRAILER WINCH
1
MOUNTING THE UNIT
MOUNTING THE UNIT
The following instructions are for standard mounting of the winch. A quick mount
kit is available (p/n P7700000AJ). If installing with the quick mount kit, follow the
directions with the kit. Steps 3, 4 and 6 apply when using the kit.
The winch can be mounted onthe trailer in the same position and location as an
existing hand winch.
1. Remove the existing hand winch.
2. Position the unit on the trailer mount stand.
3. Confirm that the winch's cable hook and the boweye on the boat are at the
same height when the boat is in the fully loaded position on the trailer.
If the bow eye is too high, extra pull is required of the winch and extra stress
is exerted on the boat's stern and bow eye.
If necessary tocreate equal height, raise or lower the winch stand. In most
cases, trailer manufacturers have adapters available for use with a winch.
4. Confirm that there is a minimum of 12 inches clearance between the winch
and the bow eye when the boat is in the fully loaded position. If necessary,
extend the bow stop to obtain the clearance.
5. Bolt the unit using a minimum of two (2) 3/8" grade 5 machine bolts and lock
nuts. If the existing mounting holes do not line up with the winch, use the
bottom of the winch as a template and drill two (2) 7/16" holes in the
mounting surface of the trailer stand.
6. If using a double line pull (using a pulley block), install a 3/8" eyebolt on the stand
as close as possible to the base of the winch. See illustration on page 3.

915 BOAT TRAILER WINCH POWERWINCH
2
WIRING THE UNIT
WARNING ALWAYS disconnect the battery before working on
electrical equipment.
WARNING ALWAYS use the recommended wire size and rated circuit
breakers. Failure to use the furnished and recommended sizes can cause a fire
hazard and void warranty.
NOTICE When routing the wiring, avoid sources of heat.
NOTICE When routing the wiring, avoid sharp edges that can cut or fray
the wire insulation.
The following instructions are for permanently wiring the winch. Two additional wiring
kits are available and sold separately: A universal bumper wiring kit (p/n P7702101AJ)
and a quick connect wiring harness (p/n P7866000AJ) for temporary connections. If
installing one of the kits, follow the directions with the kit.
1. Attach the circuit breaker to the battery's POSITIVE (+) post or positive (+) terminal of
the starter solenoid.
2. Attach the ground wire (black) to the vehicle frame. Clean the metal frame with a
wire brush or equivalent then attach the ground lug using a 5/16" bolt and lock nut
(bolt and nut not furnished).
3. Route the wire under the vehicle and along the frame. Avoid sharp edges and
moving parts. Secure the wire to the frame approximately every 18" using nylon
ties or equivalent.
Attach Ground
to Vehicle Frame
60 amp
Circuit Breaker
Connect To Positive (+)
Post of Vehicle Battery
12V Vehicle Battery
pwRC007
Power Plug
to Winch
Red Wire
Black Wire
Secure Harness to Frame
Approximately Every 18”

POWERWINCH 915 BOAT TRAILER WINCH
3
PULLEY BLOCK
The pulley block can increase the pulling capacity approximately 55%.
Assembly Instructions:
1. Place the two screws through one of the tear drop plates and hold in place.
2. Slide a bushing over each screw.
3. Slide the pulley wheel and hook over the
bushings as shown. The components fit
loosely on the bushings.
4. Wrap the cable around the pulley.
5. Place the second tear drop plate over
the screws and secure using the
washers and nuts provided.
6. Mount an eyebolt next to the winch. The eyebolt should be mounted as
close to the winch as possible. Eyebolt is furnished by the installer.
Bow
Eye
Eye Bolt Pulley Block
pw915015
Level
12" minimum
Double Lining the Winch
1. With the cable threaded through the block, hook the pulley block to the eye
on the bow.
2. Power out the cable and attach the cable hook to the eyebolt next to the winch.
3. Power in the cable.
pw915014
Side Plate
Side Plate
Pulley
Cable
Hook
Bushing (x2)
Screw (x2)
Nut &
Washer (x2)

915 BOAT TRAILER WINCH POWERWINCH
4
OPERATING THE WINCH
WARNING To avoid personal injury and property damage, clear the
area around and behind the boat of people, animals and obstructions before
loading or unloading the boat.
WARNING Never stand between the load or anchor point and the
winch. Serious personal injury could occur if the cable breaks.
WARNING NEVER use the winch alone to secure the boat to the trailer
during transit. Use separate straps or equivalent to secure the boat to the trailer.
NOTICE ALWAYS wear leather gloves when handling the cable. Steel cable
can cause serious damage to hands.
UNLOADING THE BOAT
1. In not previously done, attach the winch cable hook to the bow eye
on the boat.
2. Connect the power to the winch. The plug goes into the socket on
the right side of the winch.
3. Connect the wired remote. The plug goes intothe socket on the
left side of the winch.
4. Remove the tie down straps from the boat.
5. Using the switch on the remote, power out the cable until the
boat is unloaded.
6. When the boat is in the water, release the cable hook.
7. While maintaining tension in the cable, press the switch on the remote. Roll
the cable up completely. DO NOT allow the cable to roll up loosely, damage
to the cable and winch components could occur.
NOTICE Do not allow the cable hook to roll into the winch. Damage
to the level wind plate can occur.
8. Secure the cable hook to prevent any accidental injury or damage.
LOADING THE BOAT
1. Connect the power to the winch. The power cord plug goes into the socket on the
right side of the winch.
2. Connect the wired remote. The plug goes into the socket on the left side of the
winch.
3. Align the boat and trailer.
4. Power out the cable and attach the cable hook to the bow eye.
5. Step clear of the cable, winch and boat.
6. Press and hold the remote switch. Power in the cable until the boat touches
the bow stop. Release the switch.
7. When fully loaded, secure the boat to the trailer.
pw915017

POWERWINCH 915 BOAT TRAILER WINCH
5
EMERGENCY HAND CRANK
An emergency hand crank is available when there is no power (i.e. a dead battery).
WARNING Never use the hand crank to assist a running motor.
Serious personal injury can occur.
1. Disconnect the power cord from the winch.
2. Remove the two jamb nuts from the shaft on the left side of the winch.
3. Place the emergency handle onto the
shaft and secure to the shaft with the
one of the nuts removed previously.
Tighten the nut snugly against the
handle.
4. Turn the crank handle clockwise to
wind in the cable.
5. After the boat has been secured
on the trailer, remove the handle
from the shaft. Replace the nuts
on the shaft. It may be necessary
to adjust the brake tension before
using the winch again. Refer to
page 5.
6. Store the handle.
CAUTION Remove all tools used for manual override operation
before operating the winch with the electrical power.
MAINTENANCE
LUBRICATION
The following steps should be performed a minimum of once a year or when the
unit is placed in storage.
Cable: Lubricate the cable with Whitmore's Wire Rope Spray, WD40 or
equivalent. Spray the shaft and the cable as the cable is being wound.
Gears: Remove the covers and lubricate the gears with a lithium base grease.
Be careful not to get grease on the clutch lining (refer to figure on page 8).
Crank Handle PW915012
Rotate Handle
Clockwise to
Retract Cable
Jamb
Nuts

915 BOAT TRAILER WINCH POWERWINCH
6
ADJUSTING THE BRAKE
The winch is equipped with a friction brake that holds the load when the power is
off. The brake requires adjustment if the load creeps while the power is off or if
the brake slips while powering the load in or out.
1. Disconnect the boat from the winch.
2. Locate the jamb nuts on the left side of the winch.
3. Loosen the outer jamb nut.
4. Turn the inner jamb nut clockwise to increase the
load capacity or counterclockwise to decrease the
load capacity. The inner nut must be tight enough
to prevent the load from slipping or creeping.
NOTICE Do not over tighten the
inner nut. Over tightening the inner nut
can shorten the motor life.
5. Tighten the outer nut against the inner nut.
REPLACING THE CABLE
WARNING Always use the exact Powerwinch replacement cable
(p/n P7188800AJ). Winch ratingand cable strength are matched for safe
and optimum performance. NEVER replace the cable with rope.
CAUTION ALWAYS wear leather gloves when handling the cable.
Steel cable can cause serious damage to hands.
1. Power out the cable. Disconnect
the power cable after the cable is
fully out.
2. Cut the old cable off approximately 2"
from the cable drum.
3. Slide the collar away from the cable
then push the old cable out of the
drum.
4. Insert the new cable through the shaft.
The cable must be inserted through
the side opposite the counter bore.
5. Insert the stop sleeve over the end of
the cable until the cable is flush with
the end of the stop. Solder or crimp
the stop onto the cable.
6. Pull the cable back through the shaft until the stop is seated in the counter bore.
7. Slide the collar around the cable. The notch on the collar fits around the cable.
8. Reconnect the power harness to the unit. Power-in the cable, keeping tension on
the cable as it is winding. The cable must wind from the bottom of the cable spool.
NOTICE If the cable is not wound correctly, it may cause loss of power
and risk damage to the level wind plate. If the cable is not correct (too loose
or wound on one side), unwind the cable then rewind while keeping tension
on the cable.
Stranded Cable
Stop Sleeve
Crimp or Solder
Over End of Cable
Completed Installation
Counterbore
Drum Collar
Drum Flange
pwRC013
PW915013
Inner
Jamb Nut
Outer
Jamb Nut
Increase
Decrease