Winch power

[scotsdale83]

I have been having problems with my batteries well winching. I am currently running 2 batteries in parallel. I am not worried about killing both batteries, theres always some one to jump start off. The problem is that when winching I can not use any lights. If there on they just plain got out once it starts winching. For all out winching and light power what would you guys recommend.

Thanks for your help

 

[tourdog]

i would get bigger alt . and maybe bigger batts. but what do you mean the lights go out . by the sounds maybe a ground issue some were or you just dont have enough power to run eveything but i would look at new alt would get at least 150 amp or so .

 

[RootBreaker]

yeah sounds like a loose ground...

my winch (never got to use it yet) also showed sluggish signs when I tried testing it on a downed tree.....

so
1. what size winch
2. what size cables
3. how old are the batteries
4. what size alternator


for me...
1. 15000lb ramsey patriot
2. 3/0 from winch to batteries - plans are to go 0 gauge from charging system to batteries
3. mine are old.. 1300ca truck batteries (3ach one is the size of 2)
4. 63 amp... going to 140 pontiac trans sport


gotta make sure your electrical system is up to par before getting into winching.......hence why my truck is all apart now...

 

[mr.smartass]

My 8274 has left me stranded twice now... just pulls the cable tight and that's about it... granted I was stuck pretty bad both times, but I couldn't even tell the winch was there.

Guess I'll take a look at the wiring first but I was thinking about buying the upgrade motor for it because mine is older than me I think.

 

[scotsdale83]

The lights dont go out just get VERY dim. The winch is a smittybuilt 10,000 lb. Its been very good just haven problems with the electrical system now. The alternator is a stock replacement from autozone. It dosent say what amp it is. Is there a way to test the output?

 

[four_by_ken]

The lights dont go out just get VERY dim. The winch is a smittybuilt 10,000 lb. Its been very good just haven problems with the electrical system now. The alternator is a stock replacement from autozone. It dosent say what amp it is. Is there a way to test the output?

Unless you are doing some long serious winch pulls... your stock alternator will work pretty good. just make sure you have a good battery.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Unless you are doing some long serious winch pulls... your stock alternator will work pretty good. just make sure you have a good battery.

Agreed, I use my winch quite often and I'm still using the stock 63 amp alternator.

I run a single ~900 amp battery and I've never had an issue.