Has anyone build their own winches yet?

a72

I am planning to build own winch for wakeskating and the biggest problem so far is the engine size. The information I found on the net says ~8HP is enough but in my calculations it will need attleast 13HP to work properly. So if someone is more experienced with building winches please give me some more information about engine size, gear ratio and drum diameter. Thanks

BR
Aki

ollieshuvitz · Posted: Apr 07, 2004 12:39 am Post subject:

You do not need 13 hp. The winch in this video (http://www.wakeskating.com/showarticle.php?a=186) was using less then 8 hp. Good Luck. Cool

a72 · Posted: Apr 07, 2004 12:54 am Post subject:

They are not doing any deepwater starts in that video. When using centrifugal cluthes the engine must have enough power to increase rpm to engage clutch to pull the rider up. If the engine don't have enough torque it cant ever increase rpm enough to engage clutch.

Adjusting the gear ratio it is possible to generate more torque on startup but that will also decrease the top speed.

erikn · Posted: Apr 20, 2004 1:52 pm Post subject:

I am working on a winch right now, the frame i finished the only thing i need now is the engine. I'm goning for the 8hp briggs & stratton. I will fit a (i don´t know if the english word is the same as the swedish but anyway) "variator". It kind of a automatic gearbox. Used on snowmobiles and scooters.

The winch will have 200meters of line, and will pull the rider at 20-30 km/h. I don't think it will be able to manage waterstarts, but then again... the deal about the winch is to ride in shallow waters(ditches, ponds...)

Pics are comming soon!

xboard32x · Posted: Apr 20, 2004 4:28 pm Post subject:

nice toe erikn...haha

erikn · Posted: Apr 20, 2004 6:01 pm Post subject:

hehe, that was last summer... and it still gives me a hard time when skateboarding... Evil or Very Mad

a72 · Posted: Apr 30, 2004 6:21 am Post subject:

It's nice to hear that someone else in northern europe is building own winches too. I live in west coast of Finland.

I allready bought 10hp briggs&stratton with centrifugal clutch. That variator transmission was also one of my options but I found it too expensive and there might be some difficulties on speed control too. I'd like to hear how is your project working when you get it ready. My winch is almost ready for first tests. Maybe we can do the first water test at this weekend..

Rob · Posted: May 01, 2004 6:45 am Post subject:

a72, are there any wakeskaters in Finland? Question

nick · Posted: May 01, 2004 12:10 pm Post subject:

well theres at least one Very Happy

a72 · Posted: May 02, 2004 11:34 pm Post subject:

Here are couple of guys that used to ride a wakeboard but bored with that. I have been riding 8 years now and the last 3 years only with wakeskate.

By the way we had first winch tests last weekend. Everything worked out great and I'm very happy with that. We did some deepwater starts with 200m of rope and it was superb. Only the long walk back to starting point was boring..

erikn · Posted: May 03, 2004 4:11 am Post subject:

a72, that one looks mad Twisted Evil

!! Hopefully i can afford a engine next month and test our winch.

Rob · Posted: May 03, 2004 6:15 am Post subject:

Sweet!!! That's dope! If you visit Sweden sometime, feel free to contact me and we'll go ride... Smash

mr.skalski · Faceplant Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 19

a72: so, 10HP engine is enough powerfull to manage deepwater start?!
i have 9HP engine from buddy's daisy cutter, i hope it will work great for deepwater starts when using proper gear ratio. any advice?

mad props to all euroskaters, czech republic's calling.

a72 · Posted: May 04, 2004 11:55 pm Post subject:

Rob: Thanks for the invitation. In fact I am coming to Sweden for two days busines trip on 24 of may, but the hotels are booked from Karlstad and Kristineham so it's kind of too tight time scedule. Sad

Better luck next time..

a72 · Posted: May 05, 2004 12:15 am Post subject:

mr.skalski: Yes 10 hp is enough for deepwater starts, at least it was enough in our setup. I weight about 70 kg and have 115cm board. Winch has 200 meters of 3mm line spooled to 200mm diameter drum (60mm wide), the gear ratio of chain drive is 1:4,8 and it has heavy duty centrifugal clutch.

You can calculate the proper gear ratio to your winch from engine power/torque curves...

erikn · Posted: May 05, 2004 2:59 am Post subject:

a72, I can see that you fitted some kind of brakesystem, how does it work? Manual or Automatic??

I'm going to use the variator from a "Caio Vespa", it is very small size and easy to modify. That way i don't have to worry to much about having the perfect gear ratio. I also want to make my winch one man operational. but that it is step 2 Wink

a72 · Posted: May 05, 2004 3:52 am Post subject:

erikn: You have wery accurate eyes if you noticed that braking system. I'm using the rear wheel from "suzuki pv" as the winch drum and along that came the brakes. I don't know do you have suzuki pv:s in Sweden but it is quite popular moped here in Finland.

At this time it is only manually operated, but in step 2 I will add small solenoid to control the brakes. There will be also servo motor on rpm control and embedded control system. But as I said thats in step 2...

hypo · Pop Shuvit Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 140

a72:

its great to here of your success in making your winch!

if you have the ability and have the time, post up some video!!

erikn · Posted: May 05, 2004 8:01 am Post subject:

a72, I don't know about PV's but it looks alot like my old yamaha chappy rear wheel.

I have built my own drum by using a 170mm (3mm thick) steeltube and lasercut steelhubs. works realy good, but i have no brakes.... but first things first, i need a engine!!

BillyOLDS · Posted: May 05, 2004 11:57 am Post subject:

my dad was saying back when he was into skiing(hes 55) they would put a cheap cars rear wheels up on blocks and take one wheel off and have a rope hooked on to an empty wheel. i dnt know if it will work but just an idea and also i think the car would dangerous if not held to the ground properly