Lewmar V700 motor failure (again!)

[CC Rider]

I installed a Lewmar V700 on my 23 about 3 years ago. After the first boating season, the motor on the unit stopped working (dead).
I didn't take apart the motor, just purchased a replacement and installed it. The second motor just failed last week during a short 4 day outing.... so I have ordered another new replacement motor.

This time, I decided to dis-assemble the motors in an attempt to discover why these motors are failing - and it is not because of mis-use. I always use the boat to free the anchor from the bottom and just use the windlass to pull the anchor and rode up.

It turns out that in both cases, the small brush springs that hold the brushes against the commutator bars have completely corroded and broken off, so that they cannot hold the brushes against the commutator bars any longer. The springs do not appear to be stainless steel, and are whisker-thin.

It seems to me that the problem is the high humidity and moisture inside the anchor locker where the motor sits, is getting into the motor causing the corrosion. The top seals of both motors seem to be fine, no sand or water from the top.

When the new motor arrives, I am going to paint it with a waterproofing compound (Flex-Seal ?) in an attempt to slow down the corrosion process. Lewmar do not seal the end bells of the motors very well, just a thin O-ring on each end bell. And, the wire entries are only "sealed" with a grommet..

For a more permanent solution, I am considering giving up on the vertical windlass idea, with a mind to getting the motor out of the anchor locker and going with a horizontal 700H or 1000H.

Has anyone done this? There is going to be a big-ass hole on the deck that will need to be repaired / re-glassed before mounting a potentially new horizontal windlass. What would be the best procedure to do this? I assume a plywood (or other material) plug would need to be cut to fit the hole, and then glassed in?

Here is a sideview of the end bell, the positive brush spring is rusted orange and broken. The negative spring is corroded white.



Top view of the bottom end bell. Note the corrosion of the clip at the bottom that holds the ball-shaped armature bushing.

[Donald Tyson]

Why not try the Lonestar Drum Winch. I'll be installing mine soon. The advantages are numerous. Call them.