Electric winch retrofitting

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Hi, I am thinking about retrofitting a (probably slightly bigger) e-winch on my Hanse 388, starboard side. 
Anybody done this before and can give advise about Mounting and wiring? 
Thanks!!

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
cintra Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 21 August 2017 Location: Dusseldorf Status: Offline Points: 106	Post Options Post Reply Quote cintra Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Electric winch retrofitting Posted: 17 August 2023 at 06:32
	Hi, I am thinking about retrofitting a (probably slightly bigger) e-winch on my Hanse 388, starboard side. Anybody done this before and can give advise about Mounting and wiring? Thanks!!
	Hanse 388 LOUNA #173

S&J Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 30 August 2014 Location: Perth WA / Med Status: Offline Points: 1371	Post Options Post Reply Quote S&J Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 17 August 2023 at 07:04
	I have done this on my 458. You can get a conversation kit for your existing winch. The electric winch has a different mounting to accommodate the motor which will require a large (3cm diameter?) hole drilled through the deck and the embedded alloy plate. My boat was delivered without any winches installed and I had the yard mount all 4 winches, however I fitted the motor and wiring myself. The wiring is relatively straightforward. There should be a fused attachment point on your main powerboard for the high current cable. You will also need a small control cable to the switchboard. The real challenge is actually fitting the motor to the winch base. If you have the 2 cabin version you should have easy access but access is a challenge on the 3cabin. My 458 has what looks like recess covered with vinyl in both rear cabin ceilings and I think that they are there to enable an access hole to be cut into the floor of the locker. I didn't do this and struggled for half a day to get the 4 bolts holding the motor in position. I solo sailed my 385 and could usually get the main up 60-70% before using the non-powered winch. An electric winch is much easier but slower. On the 458 we usually have someone sweat the halyard at the mast to the last batten and use the electric winch from there.
	H458 #159 Primal Mediterranean cruising

Ratbasher Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 31 May 2017 Location: Cyprus Status: Offline Points: 818	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ratbasher Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 17 August 2023 at 08:15
	Just as an alternative solution, recommend you check out the many threads on this and other sites about the Ewincher and similar items.
	H400 (2008) 'Wight Leopard' Gosport, UK

marsella Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 21 June 2022 Location: Antigua Jolly H Status: Offline Points: 592	Post Options Post Reply Quote marsella Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 17 August 2023 at 09:26
	Also installed Lewmar electrical upgrades for both manual winches. Same 458 as in above post. I think its about $1,500 per kit. Hardest for me was pulling 1/0 AWG cables thru the port channel, also drilling thru aluminum plates needed to pass the electric shafts, I think the plates are 1-1/2" thick or so. Had to ask a local shop to help with drilling. Mounting the motors inside the lockers was not hard if you manage to lay down inside with some padding. Also installed remote controls for the winches, superhelpful if you do anything single handed from putting the jib up, lifting the dinghy on deck, controlling the sails, so on so forth. Have looked at battery operated winch handles but they seem to be as pricy as lewmar e-kits and cannot do remote controlling. Cheers! Edited by marsella - 17 August 2023 at 09:29

cintra Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 21 August 2017 Location: Dusseldorf Status: Offline Points: 106	Post Options Post Reply Quote cintra Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 August 2023 at 15:48
	Thank you all. Have absolutely no idea how to bring the thick power cable from the battery bank on port near the chart table to the starboard winch position. Will ask the dealer. ;-)
	Hanse 388 LOUNA #173

S&J Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 30 August 2014 Location: Perth WA / Med Status: Offline Points: 1371	Post Options Post Reply Quote S&J Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 17 August 2023 at 17:33
	From memory you should find getting cables from the battery then behind the heads and into the area below the port bed fairly easy. I drew many cables through for speakers and other things. There are access panels in the shower, then the cabinet below the sink and maybe the false floor in the wardrobe. From the area below the bed you can get into the void at the back then across to starboard. You may find a short cut through the engine compartment but I didn't on the 458. The cable runs may be longer than you expect so I recommend running mousing lines and measuring these once you have worked out the route.
	H458 #159 Primal Mediterranean cruising

Vind Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 06 August 2022 Location: Aarhus, Denmark Status: Offline Points: 39	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vind Report Post Thanks(2) Quote Reply Posted: 28 August 2023 at 10:47
	Hi. I actually just did that on my 388. I have now had the pleasure of using it during my 5 week summer cruise, and it was just such a pleasure to have. I ordered the e-winch upgrade from lewmar at SVB, as they had it in stock. I paid 2750 Eur. https://www.svb24.com/en/lewmar-electric-winch-conversion-kit-for-evo-winches.html I did also install a stern truster, with its own battery to power the motor. So that is now powering the winch. I have posted pictures of this in a seperate thread. So I only had to run 10mm2 cables from the distribution board to under the port/stern cabin bed, and then 70mm2 from there to the winch. I ran the cable from the DB to the bed, behind the toilet and cink. The boat manual indicates an empty conduit from the bed to the DB, but unfortunately it ends where it cant be reached behind the wall panels left of the chart table (i you look towards the conprol panel) So i couldent use this. This required an extra hole next to the heater duct under the bathroom cink. But it was fairly easy. (drilling the hole was the worst part as you have to squeeze in the cabinet under the cink) You will probably need 2 holes to run 70mm2 all the way, and you should probably prepare for some serious fiddeling with those chunky cables at the DB end. Getting the cables from under the bed to the aft compartment is easy, as there is a large opening at the end. (i pulled the cables through conduites before laying the cables, which proved to be a good idea) Then running alongside other conduites across the aft locker and up in the far aft starboard corner. Getting from here into the cockpit locker ended up being a lot easier than expected, after having used many hours of contemplating how. But there is a gap at the very top of the locker towards the front, where the wires can jump over and then i just drilled holes in the aft wall of the cockpit locker to get them there. It over the electrical panel, where the fuses are installed. (BE CAREFUL when you reach in, there is a lot af sharp glassfiber ends) But a little warning. fitting the motor proved very difficult, but obvioulsly not impossible. Theres is not enough space to fit the screws in a "traditional" way, so i ended up laying in that litte space for too many hours getting it fitted. and i had to use a shortend wrench to grip the bolts, and then another tool to tighten. Prepare your patience :-) Because of the lack of height from the motoradaptor to the "cieling" in the compartment, i inserted the bolts, before mounting the adaptor. otherwise not possible, unless you get the extended adaptor and axle. The below picture shows the working environment and also my mood after having fitted it once, only to discover i had to install the axle first, so i had to do it again :-D It also shows the challange of fitting the bolts. There is an option of an extended axle, which probably would ease things a lot. Drilling throug the thick aluminuim insert the winch is mounted on took me about 2 hours of fairly hard and messy work. But was done with 2 regular Makita battery drilling machines, and a new sharp bi-metal hole-saw. It took 2 machines as it overheated. and i think 4 x 6Ah batteries ;-) Edited by Vind - 28 August 2023 at 11:21



Welcome to myHanse.com the forum for Hanse Yachts owners throughout the world.