Hello John,
Excellent photo. I think the problem with your’s is similar to what I had. The Orientation appears correct but in looking at S-L similar parts (not identical or interchangeable from my experience), the springs need to rotate freely with the nylon bushings. I can’t claim to have solved the problem. Maybe by next season I can give an update. Cheers,
No luck with RC Plath in Oregon. He referred me to the Simpson Lawrence guy in Scotland. Some of his customers that have used those springs have had early failures as well. He checked into getting some springs made and a minimum order was 1000 springs for about $6000. Looks like I am going to need to become a spring expert.
Just an update, problem not solved, but I am learning. It seems that spring tension and length is critical. From physics 101- force is directly proportional to length. I put a couple of light springs on that were too short. It did not work. By lengthening them with a bit of string at one end (4 1/2" screw to screw) they work fine. Not a final solution, but at least now I now what I seek.
So what do you seek? There’s one of these on EBay, but the springs are broke on it too. Would like to purchase it, but need a solution also.
The one on eBay is likely mine. Spent hours messing with it yesterday. I can get it to the point where it kind of works as shown on the youtube video- sometimes not engaging both ways(too little spring tension) and sometimes locking (too much spring tension). I am about ready to give up. If I can find it a new home, I will not miss it. I had held them in high regard and bought it because a manual windlass is so reliable, simple and foolproof…
Diamondspring.com hand fabricates small orders of springs (less than 15). Might be worth taking a look at…
Trailing is the email response I got back from Ron Sears, ABBA Industries, Inc/RC Plath Co., after I made an inquiry regarding servicing my ABI Anchor Windlass. Ron clearly states they can replace worn parts, so its somewhat perplexing why they wouldn’t have springs available?
We can tear down, clean, replace any worn parts, and reassemble.
We suggest cleaning the clutch/brake friction ring and engaging faces yearly.
You can ship it to us and we will evaluate.
Ron Sears
ABBA Industries, Inc/RC Plath Co.
36339 Industrial Way
P.O. Box 1658
Sandy, OR 97055-1658
USA
503.668.5757
fax.503.668.4557
Hi John, can you send specs of those rachet gear parts for the 2 speed ABI windlass? And do those plastic pieces take any spacers on their axles?
I’m a new owner of a 2 speed ABI windlass and need dimentions, specs, or replacement parts for the rachet gears which have springs attached. any info much appreciated! thanks
Hello Cameron-
My post about this was 10 years ago. Brings back memories, not all good, unfortunately. These windlasses are problematic. I spoke to Lin Pardey about it at the time and she said Larry had repaired theirs more than once if I recall. I also corresponded with Taleisin’s new owner (I forget his name) who was having similar issues. He apparently found a set of springs aboard that worked but didn’t have specs or a source. I bought new springs for a Simpson Lawrence SeaTiger (at high price and higher shipping cost) which is a very similar model, but they did not work. I was never able to get mine to function properly and sold it on to another victim. I had talked to Plath about it and they were a bit resentful at ABI for pirating their design and did not have any springs. They could get springs made, but it would be a $1500 minimum to order them.
The benefit of a manual windlass is absolute reliability, and this model just doesn’t have it. I installed the pumpkin style single speed unit instead. Hope you have better luck than I did.
Thank you for the response John! Helpful info. Take care.
