by DonBarker » Sun Dec 18, 2011 11:37 am
Thanks Chuck,
I know the 280EL will work well with either the 32mm 6 turn spiral drum (32zst) or the 45mm 4 turn spiral drum (45zst). I'm interested in trying out a self tensioning drum set-up. Since they do not make a 32mm self tensioning spiral drum I am faced with using the 45mm self tensioning spiral drum. I know this will work with the 280EL, but with this set-up you are reducing the precision (resolution) of the winch going from 6 turns down to 4 turns. This might be a moot point since the precision is only needed when the boom is in a near close hauled position and your sheet line is now on the smallest diameter of the spiral drum.
This got me studying the specifications of the other smart winches. The 280ES is a 5 turn winch compared to the 280EL which is a 6 turn winch. The resolution of the 280ES on a 26mm drum is 0.41mm compared to the 280EL which is 0.49mm (and agrees with the theoretical ratio of 5/6). Thus the 280ES will have better precision (resolution) with a 4 turn drum than the 280EL. Again this may be a moot point since we are now talking about resolution ratios of 5/4 (280ES) vs 6/4 (280EL) which returns us to the ratio of resolution between the 280ES vs 280EL of 5/6 independent of the drum, as long as it is the same on the two comparison winches.
I guess I am convincing my self that the increased resolution of the 280ES (and the increased line speed due to a higher speed motor) is not worth the approximately 20% drop in torque to 15.4 kg-cm from 19.3 kg-cm. I'm acutely aware that in storm conditions the last thing you want is to be under powered.
Thanks for the bandwidth.
Don
Don Barker
#2025