Chain counter

[eliboat]

I’m looking to install a chain counter this season. Interested in hearing people’s thoughts/experiences. Thanks.

 

[Mordoc]

We have the Lewmar AA150 for our Lewmar VX3-G windlass for 15 months now.
Works great so far. Very reliable.

 

[Recidivist]

I had a Muir counter on my UFO34. The readout was mounted right next to the depth sounder, so I could see the scope that was out at any given time. Wonderful invention - particularly when weighing anchor as I could tell when the anchor was about to break out, and ensure I was in gear with revs on.

I also had up and down control buttons right at the helm station, so I rarely used the controls on the counter panel.

 

[DDW]

You need to get the gap between the magnet and sensor right, especially if you want it to work with a mixed rode. I have the predecessor of the AA560, counter and control in one, also auto launch, auto retrieve, auto dock. The counter is the most useful function, anchor from the helm and have a good idea of how much rode. While I have tried the auto retrieve, I never trusted it and instead used a wireless control while standing at the bowsprit - have to wash the chain anyway.

 

[eliboat]

Thanks for the input so far. Interesting reading different manuals to see how different units accomplish the actual counting.

 

[IStream]

I had a Quick chain counter and liked it while it worked, but the pendant started getting flaky on me and Quick was no help with parts or troubleshooting assistance.

 

[Mid]

meanwhile paint them links .......

 

[eliboat]

meanwhile paint them links .......

Yeah… there’s that. But paint wears off and you have to redo it. To be honest, I’m pretty good at estimating I think!… and I anchor a lot. It would be nice though to have a counter with a pendant that I can operate from the helm in some situations.