installing winch

[Dan86CJ7]

so i had no plans for one but my dad shows up w/ a winch for me to put on my cj. so i got a warn mount coming but need few answers.
Is there anything i need to do/upgrade to run the winch? is it gonna require dual battery or will one work? Any advise would be awesome.

 

[Torxhead]

You could hold off on the extra battery if you don't feel you need it, I use just one Optima battery, which seems to be good for emergencies. When you do use it, it is always good to keep your eye on the voltmeter so you don't empty the battery. They do need to have both electrical cables hooked up directly to the battery, and there are emergency switches on the market for if a relay sticks that are attached to the positive cable. It is a good idea if you don't run the winch much to run about 20 feet or so out to keep the seals lubricated every month or two. That should get you started.

 

[Dan86CJ7]

thanks bud, just dont wanna burn anything up trying to use it and dont have to much experience with them.

 

[jdarg]

One battery is fine for self-recovery but if you are gonna be dragging other people's jeeps I'd suggest you invest in a 2 batt. setup sooner rather than later.

 

[wm69]

Don't hook the winch to side posts. Get top mount lugs and attach winch cables to those, and hook your starter to the side posts (if your battery has side posts).

Unless you're doing a LOT of winching one batt will be fine. I've had my winch for about 10 years, probably only used it about 20 times, and haven't ever had any issues from my battery.

 

[Sam5038]

Don't hook the winch to side posts. Get top mount lugs and attach winch cables to those, and hook your starter to the side posts (if your battery has side posts).

Where did you get your information. I use a side post battery and haven't had a problem. I asked the experts at Interstate Battery's about this. (I had a battery tested and charged there.) They told me that side post battery's will work with winches with no problems. I even tried it. I once winched a Toyota Forerunner out of the snow. I almost maxed out my M8274-50 winch that day. I did this with a double line pull. That's 16.000 lbs. My winch almost stopped. If a side post battery can handle this. You shouldn't have a problem. Oh. And I don't have my negative cable from the winch hooked up to my battery. It is on the frame.

 

[tarry99]

Where did you get your information. I use a side post battery and haven't had a problem. I asked the experts at Interstate Battery's about this. (I had a battery tested and charged there.) They told me that side post battery's will work with winches with no problems. I even tried it. I once winched a Toyota Forerunner out of the snow. I almost maxed out my M8274-50 winch that day. I did this with a double line pull. That's 16.000 lbs. My winch almost stopped. If a side post battery can handle this. You shouldn't have a problem. Oh. And I don't have my negative cable from the winch hooked up to my battery. It is on the frame.

Sam.............For the best performance follow the simple rule of: The Path of least resistance ...............the ground path / cable needs to be at least 80% of current carrying capacity of the load + side and hooked directly to the Battery.

 

[Sam5038]

Oh I realise that. My negative cable from the winch is attached to the end of my negative battery cable. Same path just easier to attach to.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Two batteries is best but not needed.. I have a bunch of heavy gauge welding cable that was taken off a waggoneer with a triple battery and winch set up If your interested I can send you some of it if you want to pay for the shipping.. It looks like 00 wire all you would need to do is have ends put on it. shoot me a PM if interested.

 

[Peanut Butter]

I had a 9000 lbs winch on my Cherokee with one battery. Used it a lot in the mountains of Colorado. Even pulled rocks out of my yard with it. Never had a problem, always left the engine run and under heavy load at high idel.

One thing though, onky saw this onxe but once will rain on your day, leave the winch in free spool mode ehen not in use. Sinxe it is direct connect to battery, any short in it that causes the motor to turn will pull enough juice to start a fire under the hood. If free wheeled, the motor will run till battery dies, but no heat or fire. Only saw this once, but it was enough for me. Rod

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Thats a great idea about leaving it in free spool. I like the 2 battery idea with one designated as the winch battery so you dont kill your main starter battery.

 

[Dan86CJ7]

thanks for all the replies. now i gotta wait for the mountin g plate to come in.

 

[wm69]

Where did you get your information. I use a side post battery and haven't had a problem. I asked the experts at Interstate Battery's about this. (I had a battery tested and charged there.) They told me that side post battery's will work with winches with no problems. I even tried it. I once winched a Toyota Forerunner out of the snow. I almost maxed out my M8274-50 winch that day. I did this with a double line pull. That's 16.000 lbs. My winch almost stopped. If a side post battery can handle this. You shouldn't have a problem. Oh. And I don't have my negative cable from the winch hooked up to my battery. It is on the frame.

Get these, put on top terminals, unhook winch when you're not using it. No dead batteries, no winch running/ starting a fire if you get a short.

Everstart 962C-2W Marine Grade Red and Black 6-12-Volt Battery Terminals, Epoxy Coated: Automotive : Walmart.com

From Optima customer service

"We do not recommend attaching a winch to the side terminals. The side posts are intended for starting your vehicle which, although high current, is a short duration electrical load. A winch is also high current but can be very long duration. Using a winch connected to the side terminals could damage the connections in the battery, it can melt the side terminals right out of the battery housing. Only use the top (automotive type) terminals for connecting your winch. This is not only true for Optima, but for ANY battery.

Thank you,
Adam
Optima Customer Service

Also numerous people claiming they've melted the side terminals out while winching....

Winch cables on side-post terminals - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Might be fine, might not be, but for $4 I used the above terminals, eliminated risk of shorted winch burning my Jeep up, takes me 30 seconds to attach the winch when I need it, and the side posts start my Jeeps just fine.

 

[Dan86CJ7]

thanks for the tip, will deff. be getting those....$10 for piece of mind...well worth it

 

[tarry99]

I had a 9000 lbs winch on my Cherokee with one battery. Used it a lot in the mountains of Colorado. Even pulled rocks out of my yard with it. Never had a problem, always left the engine run and under heavy load at high idel.

One thing though, onky saw this onxe but once will rain on your day, leave the winch in free spool mode ehen not in use. Sinxe it is direct connect to battery, any short in it that causes the motor to turn will pull enough juice to start a fire under the hood. If free wheeled, the motor will run till battery dies, but no heat or fire. Only saw this once, but it was enough for me. Rod

What really works best is to have your Hot lead run through a HD continuous duty solenoid or relay that is triggered by a switch on the dash or in my case I used a separate keyed switched.........that does not allow power to the winch unless I'm ready........ keeps the kids or others from playing with buttons.

:

 

[JR74CJ5]

Well I had never heard the "no winch on side posts" before! Guess I now have another thing to add to the list of "while I'm at it...

Thanks wm69


~ Jr

 

[NorthwestCJer]

Side posts have a ribbon connection to the top posts and some battery makes.
I have seen side post failure during hard winching.
I would not risk it.
I use top post terminals with wing nuts. When I am not using my winch, I disconnect the lead. Cheap and is positively disconnected.

I also know a guy who's winch cable came out while he was driving down the road. He ran his winch in free spool and he had simply driven threw tall grass before hitting the highway. He flipped his jeep.
I will not drive with my winch in free spool mode.


Good Luck

 

[GatorBate]

I have a problem with leaving the winch in free spool for the same reason that Nothwestcjer mentioned.
I've seen battery disconnect in the part stores

Same idea as Terry's but with less wiring.

 

[jdarg]

Watch those disconnects...many aren't rated for the continuous current some winches draw.

 

[tarry99]

I have a problem with leaving the winch in free spool for the same reason that Nothwestcjer mentioned.
I've seen battery disconnect in the part stores

Same idea as Terry's but with less wiring.

Not a bad Idea , but with that if its under the hood you have to get out and turn the switch.........I've been in a lot of places where there was not a lot of time to mess around!
Here is a picture of my setup inside .........and of course this is an early Warn
8000 winch with a hand brake ( vintage 1970 but still does a great job) on it but notice the control panel under the dash with the key switch in it..........also the power in button between the gauges to start the winch. The key is hanging around the bottom of the shifter..............quick and easy I stay in the cab with the brakes on someone hooks it up and were out of there.

Note: There is also a power in button hidden just inside the grill .........that can be used to re-wind the cable when done from the outside.