Winch Batteries

[scotsdale83]

I am currently finishing up my winch setup. I made a front mount reciever hitch and winch plate. Today I got the cables and connectors for the quick connects front and rear. My question is what batteries should I get. I plan on running 2, an Optima is out of my price range right now. I have taken a stock passenger side battery tray and modified it to fit on the drivers side for an aux battery. I couldnt find a Diesel tray and lmc's price was to much. Brand, size, part number, price would be excellent. Thanks guys for your help

Nick

 

[YZEATER]

go to the auto parts, and say what's the biggest battery you have. measure it and see if it will fit in your trays. if not, make your trays bigger. and when they say what's this going in, does it have brakes and tires, kick'em in the nuts. you just need a big battery with a good warranty.

 

[plumber mike]

I would run the batt(single) that you have now and save for matched optimas. These batteries ROCK! I only use one deep cycle yellow in each of my trucks. They have lasted even with winching and snowplowing going on 7 years and always start the trucks.You might find the bigger standard batteries from interstate and the like can get up to close to what optimas cost.Just my .02

 

[4X4HIGH]

I would stay clear of the optima batteries these days. I heard too many horror stories of them as of late since they changed ownership. I have had the best success with Interstate batteries and will never run anything different again. Now for your question, for your Aux battery you should get a deep cycle marine battery as they are designed to be drained and recharged over and over. Winching puts a huge strain on a battery and this is where the deep cycle shines. Now if you do go with a dual battery set-up make sure you use some form of isolator so that you never kill the primary starting battery when winching. You will also use the Aux. battery to hook up any aftermarket lights and what not also.

 

[79chevyk10]

I have also heard many horror stories about Optima batteries. I personally have had the opposite experience. One red top (old style) that has lived an abused life ( half melted from tray breaking and found laying on top of the exhaust manifold, and pos. side post melted off from the pos. cable melt down) still working fine today inside a buddies truck. Now I run a yellow top purchased from Costco and working great so far.

 

[scotsdale83]

Um Optimas are out of my price range there guys. Deep cycle or starting battery? I keep getting diffrent answers

 

[ryoken]

deep....

my diatribes as to why have been WELL documented around here....

if you can, I do recommend SOME sort of AGM over a lead acid...