Winch hook up HELP..Please

[sprucebunny]

Vibration will wear out solid wire.

My experience with an isolator was not good. It fried the alternator on one trip. Fortunately we were coming home from putting a boat away for the winter and had 4 extra batteries with us. We had to put a new battery in about every 90 miles so that the truck would run.

[shinnlinger]

I think my cheap bastard idea was misinterpreted...  I propose running the aluminum wire, which should be able to be had for free or scrap price if you ask no more than 3 electricians, only from the battery in the main vehicle, down the frame rail to the back bumper.  If you secure the cable to the battery box, frame and bumper it will not flex and will not wear out before the truck does.  Use more flexible jumper cables or one of those fancy connectors (but that doesn't fit in a cheap bastard scenario) to complete the circuit to the winch.  I do not see a reason to run a negative cable all the way from the battery, as the truck frame is negative ground.

[Magicman]

Fastening PVC conduit to the frame is also an option.  I did this on an RV in 1990 and it still serves me well.

[ohsoloco]

Haven't checked this thread since I posted before.  Yes, I'm just using the truck battery to run the winch.  2/0 welding cable off of the battery into the disconnect switch, and then more 2/0 cable along the frame (zip tied) to the back of the truck where I use those tweeco connectors. 

Never had a problem with this setup, but I always run my truck while I'm loading.  One time I was pulling several logs the full length of my winch cable (100 ft.) and I actually stalled the truck b/c it drained the battery...okay, so I had one problem with this setup    Only time that happened, and once it was jumped it was fine. 

[StephenRice]

I have a 12,000# Mile Marker winch on the front of my truck that is mounted on a winch frame attached to a 2" receiver on my front bumper.  (I have full Ranch Hand "cow pusher" bumpers / brush guard on the front and rear of my truck.)  I ran 2/0 welding cable from one of my truck batteries through to industrial connectors (like was suggested earlier) that are mounted to the flat catwalk portion of the bumper with a stainless steel bolt.  I put another connector on the winch wires and have a pretty slick setup there.

The reason I did it that way is because I wanted to be able to remove the winch frame from the front bumper and move it to the back receiver hitch in case I ever got stuck in a position where I had to pull myself out backwards.  Although I have not done it yet (still haven't got those round Tuits yet), I still have the cable and connectors to run wire from the front to the rear of the truck along the frame rails.  My plan is to run the cable(s) long the frame and attach it (them) to the frame with those rubber lined steel conduit clamps and self drilling screws, then mount another quick connector to my rear bumper.

I have often wanted to add a winch to my dump trailer.  But, I know that I need to wire up the truck first.  Then I will need to rig up some way to mount a winch and possibly a roller system so as not to mess up my rolling tarp cover or toolbox.

However, there is one piece of advice that I would offer to you.  I used to do marine construction for many years and built a couple of  work barges with a boom and winch setup.  I had a simple 8,000# winch that ran off of two industrial 6V batteries (like golf cart batteries) wired in a series circuit to make 12V.  I used the winch to drag and lift heavy marine pressure treated pilings up to 45' long all day long.  The winch took a pretty good draw from the batteries (30 - 50 amps), but the batteries would last for more than a week (after winching on them many times every day) before I noticed them losing power.  Then, I would just hook them up to a small battery charger over night and they were good to go.  Those batteries lasted for years and were still like new when my work barge got stolen.

If I were you and wanted to frequently use a winch to load logs onto a trailer, I would definitely spend a little more money to buy two industrial 6V batteries.  If not, then I would go to AutoZone and get one of their1,000 CA group 34-DTG automotive batteries with a 3 year free replacement warranty and a nine year pro-rated warranty to give you the power you need and protection to cover your butt when the battery fails, which it eventually will.  The RV / marine deep cycle batteries don't last worth a hoot and they only carry a one year pro-rated warranty.  The Duralast Gold 34-DTG battery at AutoZone is basically a deep cycle battery (it even has an amp hour rating) that is warranted for automotive usage.

So, 1st choice...  (2) industrial 6V batteries wired in series, or

a 2nd choice...  a Duralast Gold 34-DTG battery from AutoZone with the good replacement warranty (That is what I use on my dump trailer now with a permanently mounted 1.5A trickle charger hooked up to it.

FWIW, hope this helps...

[Nate Surveyor]

I by no means have all the answers, however I do have some experience.

I have a similar set up. 12v deep cycle marine bat, that powers a 8k warner winch.
I usually seem to overheat the winch, before the bat winds down... that said, a low bat probably makes more heat in the starter motor, that powers the winch. Having said all that, I suggest a purchase: a Nice set of REAL HEAVEY jumper cables, (25 or 30 ft long)to add a bit more power, by adding in the truck bat to the mix. That is, my marine bat is on the tongue of the trailer, and using the jumpers, you have added some amps and reduced the drain on the marine bat.
I have thought of adding some 6 ga or 8 ga wire, to make the alternator charge the marine bat, while driving, but have never gotten around to it.

The idea behind doing it this way is you will also probably enjoy the use of those cables, for other things, as well as this application.

Here is one for sale:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Heavy-Duty-25-Foot-2-Battery-Jumper-Cables-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3f01a33b7aQQitemZ270610414458QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories


Best 'o Luck!

Nate