Warn winch 'struggling' with no load...

[mike_nofx]

The winch is an x9000. Its about 10 years old.

Has worked fine the last time i used it, and i have recently stripped it down for a clean and re-grease.

It hasn't been used in quite some time, maybe 5-6 months now. From memory, the time it was used 6 months ago, it wasn't doing this.

Anyway, i fitted a new steel cable and when spooling with no load (just keeping the tension by hand) it had times where the winch sounded like it was loaded up, the motor was struggling. It would spool fine for maybe 10 seconds, then struggle for 3-4 seconds. It didn't appear to be in a set pattern like there was a certain tight spot, (though i could be wrong) it just seemed to struggle at random times.

What could be the cause? I dont think i over greased it, but could this be caused by over greasing, or the wrong grease? I used a general purpose marine grease.

The motor did look a bit rusty inside, but i coated it all in lanotec.

The battery is in good condition, i had the engine running and it was charging at over 14 volts.

Any ideas, or should i just strip it down again and inspect it?

Thanks
Mike

[mnemonix]

Had the same thing with mine once after giving the motor a spray with lanolin.

You could smell the lanolin burning during winching.
I grabbed a can of CRC electro clean (non flammable contact cleaner for low voltage/high amperage motors) and cleaned the armature and contacts with it.
Fixed the problem.

[NJV6]

I'd say it sounds to me like the brake inside the drum. They are a complicated thing which tends to do either the symptoyms you say or not hold at all. Easy way to see if it is that, is to take the rope off and then run it for a minute of so with no rope, feel the drum as you do it, the centre will heat up quite quickly if it is dragging.