Powering an electric winch

[Chris Caton]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Chris, good call on the relay. I'm thinking about putting a solenoid in the battery box to act as an isolator. I'd put an E/stop button on the outside of the battery box wired into the coil of the solenoid. Knock the E/stop in & the winch is isolated. It'd be easy enough to put some auxiliary contacts in, that isolated the charging circuit when the winch is powered up.

Albright do a nice battery isolater, they do a winch version as well which is a bit dear but heavy duty, fitted on on my 90 to isolate the winch, works well

https://www.devon4x4.com/albright-hd...-isolator.html

[Perroboy]

I have used cables mounted under my truck from the battery to a switch in the back of pickup for 10 years and had no issues at all. No solenoids no stainless steel boxes no extra batteries...... no charging circuits or smart chargers ......simples!! You boys have too much time on your hands!!

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

How easy is it to make a stainless box thats IP68. Will the box not flex when under water and so distort the seal?

Think outside the box: Sealed box with the bottom part open. If it goes underwater the trapped air keeps everything dry(ish) .

Pikey: If you're mounting the battery on the trailer, can you mount it higher on the winch post where it stands little chance of getting submerged?

jky

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Think outside the box: Sealed box with the bottom part open. If it goes underwater the trapped air keeps everything dry(ish) .

Only works in calm water.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Think outside the box: Sealed box with the bottom part open. If it goes underwater the trapped air keeps everything dry(ish) .

Pikey: If you're mounting the battery on the trailer, can you mount it higher on the winch post where it stands little chance of getting submerged?

jky

99% of the time the box won't be near the water. When we launch at Ty Calch, Chris is a bit "enthusiastic" with the tractor & the whole lot goes in. It's a shallow beach launch & you can't be too precious about getting brakes/bearings wet etc. I can raise it a little, I've not actually drawn it up yet, I'm still fielding ideas.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Perroboy

I have used cables mounted under my truck from the battery to a switch in the back of pickup for 10 years and had no issues at all. No solenoids no stainless steel boxes no extra batteries...... no charging circuits or smart chargers ......simples!! You boys have too much time on your hands!!

Not so much too much time, just too many resources at my disposal. The reason I want to do it this way is because........I can. Seriously, I don't want to have to mount the socket on the back of the disco, I'd still have to put a switch in it somewhere near to the battery, otherwise the socket would be permanently live, as would the cables to it. The first time I came to use it, the whole thing would be rotten. The way the Cousins do it, is they mount the plug in the "trunk" plug the trailer in through the open tailgate, which is an option but not elegant, especially when you've got a black lab in the back who suddenly thinks he's getting out. The other thing, it's quite feasible that I might be towing the trailer with a choice of 3 vehicles, which would mean modifying all 3, whereas I can just make the trailer independent & it matters not, which tow vehicle I use.

[Seaflyer02]

Hi PD

For mine I use a large plastic battery box with a 45AH car battery and I mounted the winch switch gear in there as well. From the battery box is a short cable into an Anderson connector.
When I drive round the battery is charging from the short charge lead I made which plugs directly into the vehicles auxiliary towing socket (this is only live while the ignition is on and it is fused).
This set up would allow you to lift the complete battery box into which ever vehicle you are using and allows you to store/charge at home if required.

So far it has worked well apart from the jet wash unit that fits on the winch is a bit heavy on the power consumption. The jet wash and this battery is OK for a quick wash of the deck and trailer but anything more would require a bigger battery.


I only have the winch, short lead and Anderson connector on the winch post.
When I use this all I do is open the tailgate glass, connect the leads and use the remote to winch the boat up. I had thought about making a mounting plate to sit the battery box on the trailer but I did not like the thought of someone taking everything, at least this way they would still require parts for it to work (I do like the idea of the electric fence).

Hope it helps

[Wrekindave]

Been using this set up for this boat and a previous for the last 4 years with no problems. We beach launch and recovery from a very shallow beach.

[bedajim]

I have a 9500lb winch and used to have a massive ( two man lift) battery in the back of the truck with a lead and heavy duty connectors, open the back of the truck and plug it in. I did think of mounting it on the trailer but thought it to inviting for anyone helping themselves.

Spare socket with no internals to keep the battery end safe when I wasn't using it.
Long lead with clips in case I needed to jump start the truck

I've now got two big car batteries mounted over the wheel arches in the Ranger tub and a split load charging unit. can be used for the winch or power the fridge etc when camping.

The winch is remote control, which is great for checking the rollers etc as you winch it on

[BogMonster]

I've got a winch that cost very little, easily pulls the boat onto the trailer, is independently powered with no connection to the tow vehicles required, recharges automatically at breakfast time so is always ready for use, can be used under water if necessary, and adds very little weight to the trailer

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

I've got a winch that cost very little, easily pulls the boat onto the trailer, is independently powered with no connection to the tow vehicles required, recharges automatically at breakfast time so is always ready for use, can be used under water if necessary, and adds very little weight to the trailer

There's a lot to be said for that😄
But we do like a project👍

[BogMonster]

I have a new Winchmax sitting in the garage but to be honest the new trailer is so easy to use I'm not sure I can be bothered to fit it! The only issue with the current winch is that it doesn't have a brake, which means one has to hang onto the handle quite diligently while launching...

[Seaflyer02]

Hi BogMonster
Fit the Winchmax it is worth the effort. Launching and recovery is effortless.

[Pikey Dave]

I thought I'd bring this up to date. I'm just getting around to fitting the winch, working in the battery box at the mo.


Sh1t happens

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I thought I'd bring this up to date. I'm just getting around to fitting the winch, working in the battery box at the mo.Attachment 111811Attachment 111812Attachment 111813


Sh1t happens

Looks good Dave. I've got mine all wire up to car battery with long leads to winch. Did it that way as I really never see me using another car.


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I thought I'd bring this up to date. I'm just getting around to fitting the winch, working in the battery box at the mo.Attachment 111811Attachment 111812Attachment 111813

That looks reassuringly over engineered

[Chris Caton]

nice job PD, them optima's are good batteries

[ShinyShoe]

Am I missing something...? +ve wire big enough to take a supply from a nuclear power station, -ve looks like it would struggle with my USB supply (perhaps I exaggerate a little)...

[Mollers]

Let's face it, hand cranking a mighty 5.4m rib on to a trailer is more than any man should have to endure.

I tend to employ the services of a local tug-of-war team when recovering the SR4.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

That looks reassuringly over engineered

Theres "Pimped"!....THEN...There's... PIKEY'D!!
NICE Job Mate