Hi Ben,
I installed small nylon bolts on each gearbox and the Main furler and outhaul .
On the gearboxes I drilled and tapped them on either sided.
One high and one low. I pump grease into the gearbox on the low side and when it comes out clean I stop.
I use the grease gun adapter for the Autoprop to insert the grease.
I chose the small nylon bolts over the grease nipples as I could see the grease flowing out of the gearbox , and in addition I do not have any corrosion problems.
With the genoa the holes are on the same side (port) and if you look at a drawing of the gearbox you will see
Where to put the holes. I do this twice yearly.
In addition I remove the outhaul shaft and coat it with high temperature waterproof Neva-Seize grease.
I do this twice yearly.
The outhaul shaft is especially important as if it gets stuck it is a royal pain to get out.
I also sanded down the outhaul key on the shaft a few thousands of an inch.
Fair Winds
Eric
Kimberlite Amel Super Maramu #376
soon after we bought Ocean Pearl (8 years old) we had horrible screeching from the furler. Anyone in the cabin when it was activated jumped in fright at the noise. I investigated and found the grease in the gearbox had gone hard and was at the peripheries and not on the gears. Like you I found no lubrication system. I pioneered putting grease nipples in the side of all three furler gearboxes, main furler, outhaul and genoa furler. This can be done in situ with care. I put grease nipples in. Others have put removable plugs. Either works and I regularly add a few pumps of grease. End of problem. I did a post at the time with details and photos.
If you want details of how to do it in situ let me know and I will give details. It is not difficult. However some time it would pay to dismantle the gearbox to remove the old grease. Another furler noise problem. I had high pitched noise this year from the genoa furler. I had the fore stay down for another reason and took the opportunity to recoat the forestay liberally with grease ala Amel. No more noise. So simple. I used a full grease cartridge. Logically we should expect to do this periodically as the grease will not last forever.
From: amelliahona <no_reply@...>
To: amelyachtowners@...
Sent: Saturday, 26 November 2016 4:16 AM
Subject: [Amel Yacht Owners] Re: Potential Main furler problem
When my SM #335 was 2 years old (now 13 years ago), my main sail furling gearbox did the same thing. It turned out to be a broken shaft on the motor. I can only assume that misalignment caused flexing loads on the shaft and it broke cleaning through. The rough ends of the shaft inter-digitated enough that the drive still worked but a a slower than usual speed and with loud metal-on-metal screeching. I wasn't there for the replacement as I was in Ft. Lauderdale at the the time but Joel's maintenance tech at the time, Ray Eaton who is now deceased, took care of the replacement motor for me. I recall that he said it was the first time he had seen that failure mode.
Wish you all the best Ben.
s/v Liahona, Amel SM #335 July 1, 2001, Puerto Del Rey Marina , Puerto Rico
