Our fleet of Bim2000 A-class catamarans all have Windslyce (Aus) traveler car systems on the standard curved track. They are starting to become high friction and probably need new balls or entire replacement. Does anyone know if they can use Haarken, Ronstan, or some other more readily available ball bearing? Anyone know about track compatability with the big brands (it is 3/4 inch wide)

Matt

It is just a ball bearing. Measure the ones you have and get the same size from one of the other vendors you prefer.

If the existing ball bearings are Delrin you could replace them with Torlon which have a higher load rating and should not wear out (and increase friction) as fast. As Dan says, measure the balls and then order replacements as a first shot. It is more likely that some balls have developed flat spots rather than the traveller car or track wearing out.

Chris.

Problem is that you must remove the end cap and extract exactly one ball, measure it, and then get it back assembled without the balls ending up all over the yard-- of course, I don't have the tool to re-insert the balls... screw it up and you are land bound while you wait for the new balls to arrive or hunting for the last old ones.

I am thinking to order some haarkan ball, hope I guess correctly, and pray for good luck.

Matt

I will refrain from all the childish comments floating around my mind about a lack of ability to re-insert your balls.... Opppsss


why dont you try to contact the manufacturer or vendor and ask them?

I am sure you already know this or a similar trick, but just in case...

I recently replaced the traveler bearings on a Boyer Mk4. I was advised to pack the bearing races with shaving cream prior to inserting the balls. It did a pretty good job of keeping the balls under control. Splash a little water on the traveler to get the shaving cream out after you are done.

Geoffs,

I had never heard that trick about shaving cream.... great idea.

I tried contacting the manufacturer, but no response. Perhaps my Slovene email/IP triggered their spam filter or perhaps they need more time. I may try to call Australia.

Matt

G'day Matt the contact details for Greg Goodall at Goodall sails are ahpc@ahpc.com.au
52 Craig St Bendigo Vic 3539
phone 03 54436910
I've always found him helpful and approachable so give him a go if you get no luck with e-mail let me know and I'll call him for you.
Some of the travellers have a little hole on top and a little hole on the side and are designed to put the bearings in a big syringe and push one in the top and that pushes one out the side to make the replacement easier.
regards

First- be sure to wash the traveller with dilute soapy water from a squirt bottle - sometimes its just salty dirt.

KY Jelly works great too - completely water soluble and it sticks everything together nicely for assembly. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I just got a response from Norman at Windslyce:

1. Original balls on Bim2000s are Torlon 1/4inch-- likely all manufacturers (Harkan, etc) are sourcing balls from the same supplier.
2. They now use a patented since white lubricating teflon ball in the system to improve performance.
3. Regular maintenance should be: plastic pot scrubber on the track, make sure balls are wet and moving before sailing (no hard salt crystals so even salt water rinsing is ok), and NEVER use WD40
4. If you, like us, have a fleet of A-class boats, it is possible to buy a tool to replace balls faster and easier (although I hate to miss the opportunity to find new uses for KY jelly).

Overall great response from Windslyce-- so I will probably get all parts from them. And thanks to everyone on the forum.

The Harken cars used to come on a bit of plastic that was the same shape as the track, it had an indent in it and that allowed you to reload new balls pretty easily.

So, you could get a short section of the same track you are using today, take a round file and make an indent and use that to reload the balls.

the indent needs to go on the bottom of the track, so when you take the car off, you can flip it over and drop the balls into the groove on the bottom