Quick facts on sizing gear to your winch-
- It is VERY important the chain and your winches Gypsy must be a matching pair or there will be damage and possibly pain, yours.
- Many winches can take a range of sizes but which size is dependent on which gypsy has been fitted to the winch
- Not all winches are designed to automatically swap between the rope and chain
To work properly, safely and reliably for a long time the chain (and to a smaller degree the rope) must be matched to the correct gypsy. If it is not the winch can jamb, slip, jump and just do nasty things, sometimes dangerous things, all of which are not good for either the winch or the rode on it.
How do I work out the correct chain sizing for my winch?
These days most manufacturers mark their gypsies well so that makes it quite easy. As a generally rule you will find this mark, usually cast into the gypsy, on the inside cheeks of the gypsy right next to where the chain sits.
The usual position of the number is shown on this photo but we have highlighted it so don’t go looking for a red number. The number format will vary between manufactures so you’ll be looking for something like;
054
054C
7
RC3245
10mm
118
P 30
All are a bit different and the above is only a tiny selection of what there is. Look hard and read well.
There are some old gypsies and even the odd new one that has nothing. In that case we would prefer to get the gypsy in our hands rather than guess.
If you know that number we can tell you exactly what the gypsy was designed for. It can also help to know the manufacturer and model of the winch.
What if I can’t find any markings on the gypsy?
If you can’t then you can measure the existing chain. To do that you need to measure the wire size and the internal length of a link. Those measurements are the shown by the 2 green arrows. When you do that do a couple of links to make sure you don’t pick a rouge one. Be careful not to grab links with a nice salt crust or wear. If you can’t measure the best you can and we can often translate that to a actual standard, we’ve had decades of practice.
If you have them use Calipers or Verniers, they are a lot more accurate than Mk1 EyeBalls. As a FYI – with a 10mm, for example, as small as 0.3mm can make the difference between it working very well or it being hair pulling out annoying.
What Standard chain do I need?
Do I need a DIN chain, if so which DIN Standard do I need? Is it a ISO4565 chain, a EN818-3 standard chain, a AS2321 standard maybe? No worries on that as the differing physical sizing generally differs between the differing standards meaning. MFI are a little unusual as they don’t build chains below grade 40, where few competitors build chains above Grade 30. But that’s OK as we can easily step you through the options, it not as spooky or tricky as it can seem.
The book says my winch will take 6, 7 and 8mm chain, so can I pick which one I want?
Yes and No.
Yes but only when you are ordering the winch.
No, as once you have a winch with a gypsy fitted you are stuck with that size chain UNLESS you change the gypsy.
Generally the manufacturers will make a winch that can run a ‘size range’ i.e 6, 7 and 8mm BUT each gypsy will only take one of that size range of chains. There are a couple of exceptions to that but generally most gypsies will take only one size of chain.
What Rope size do I need then and how do I find which one?
An easy one. Rope size on an Auto Rope to Chain Winch is dictated pretty much by the chain size. If you know what size chain the rope is easy.
These aren’t always the perfect match but as a general rule the following are common matches for strength and can be used as a guide for non-auto winches as well:
6 or 7mm chain to 12mm rope
8 or 9mm chain to 14mm rope
10 or 11mm chain to 16, 18 or 20mm rope (depends on which auto-winch)
12 or 13mm chain to 20 or 22mm rope
If you run a extra long length of chain then rope it may pay to go up one size in the rope to handle the extra load of the longer chain. If you’re not sure chat to us, we’ve seen far more than you.
How do I know if I need a 3 strand laid rope or a 8 Braid Muiltplait or a Braid?
Again easy. The rope options are usually dictated by who made the winch. Some manufacturers have yet to crack the secret to getting the muiltiplats working reliably on their gypsies and some have that nailed. This is why we ask who made your winch, from that we can tell you what options you have rope wise.
So this is all pretty easy really as being the specialists we are we know the answers to all your questions, we just need a little info to make those answers very accurate.
If in doubt please feel free to contact us and we’ll see what we can do to help.
If anyone has a question to add to this page chuck it at us and up it’ll go.
Here is a PDF short version you can download/print if your memory can’t reach down to the marina 😉 How to find Gypsy identification CRA 23
(note: The writer was not good in England class so has crap spelling. Be aware the above may contain terms and phrases that are regional)
