Winch and dual Battery installation and wiring

[Tucson T4R]

For those that installed the Ramsey wireless winch with their bumper, here are few pics of how I wired the winch to the second battery and where I installed the wireless receiver.

Receiver mounted inside front passenger side of engine compartment:

http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/14/15/5/54/50/2931554500055808501aiOSWp_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2931554500055808501aiOSWp)

Second battery with winch attached:

http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/28/29/7/42/38/2269742380055808501ZKmrUY_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2269742380055808501ZKmrUY)

Dual battery separator and PIAA Light relay on driver's side:

http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/26/26/5/72/20/2002572200055808501aaerMD_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2002572200055808501aaerMD)

Where I routed dual battery cable along firewall:

http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/59/559/9/17/82/2289917820055808501UpuhXa_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2289917820055808501UpuhXa)

[bulldog]

Nice!! I mounted my wireless reciever in the same spot. I just put the antenna in the bumper it self, will have to see how well that works from the cabin adn other locations though.

The second battery and seperator looks familiar though :D

I did connect my winch to the main battery though, and will use the 2nd battery to help out. If you used the 1314 seperator you might find that combining the batteries with the aux switch might not work when it sense the 2nd battery is below 10V. It was build to help the main battery not the other way round. The 1315 I believe will work both ways. You might want to check it out when winching, easiset way is just to flick the switch before starting to winch. However if the engine is running you should be OK as the main batt voltage will be high enough to keep them connected. It is just something you probably want to stress test before heavy usage in the field.

[Tucson T4R]

Adries,

Yep, kudos to you on the dual battery install write up you did. Your research really helped make this an easy upgrade. :beer:

I am storing my wireless antenna with the remote in one of my back storage compartments. I keep the antenna cable end capped and plan to just attach it when using the winch.

Yep, I think I understand how the separator is designed. I know the separator keeps the batteries disconnected if the secondary is less than 10V but I thought when you use the manual switch, it forced the coil to pick and ties the batteries together no matter what the condition of the batteries are. I intentionaly hung my winch off the secondary battery thinking I could just use the secondary for short pulls and manualy force the attachment to the primary battery if additional power is needed. The limited testing I did today seemed to work. I'll have to wait and see how it performs under a load in the field. It wouldn't be too dificult to switch the winch back over to the main battery if this set up surfaces a problem. Time will tell. :)

I noticed after the battery install that there is plenty of room above the battery. The next time I think I will use the PC1200 which is only an inch or so taller and sits in the same mounting tray.

[bulldog]

Adries,

Yep, kudos to you on the dual battery install write up you did. Your research really helped make this an easy upgrade. :beer:

I am storing my wireless antenna with the remote in one of my back storage compartments. I keep the antenna cable end capped and plan to just attach it when using the winch.

Yep, I think I understand how the separator is designed. I know the separator keeps the batteries disconnected if the secondary is less than 10V but I thought when you use the manual switch, it forced the coil to pick and ties the batteries together no matter what the condition of the batteries are. I intentionaly hung my winch off the secondary battery thinking I could just use the secondary for short pulls and manualy force the attachment to the primary battery if additional power is needed. The limited testing I did today seemed to work. I'll have to wait and see how it performs under a load in the field. It wouldn't be too dificult to switch the winch back over to the main battery if this set up surfaces a problem. Time will tell. :)

I noticed after the battery install that there is plenty of room above the battery. The next time I think I will use the PC1200 which is only an inch or so taller and sits in the same mounting tray.
[Offtopic]
Let us know how it works in the long run. I'm sure you will be fine if the engine is running though. Teh way I read the manual on the seperator was that it will disconnect, even with the switch on, if the second batt goes below 10V and the primary is below 13.2V. You can let us know. Not a biggie just somehting you might want to test.

I think the PC1200 and 925 uses different hold downs. But also think the PC1200 can be made to fit in there. Hopefully my 925 will last so long I don't have to think about upgrading.

[back to topic]

[Tucson T4R]

[Offtopic]
Let us know how it works in the long run. I'm sure you will be fine if the engine is running though. Teh way I read the manual on the seperator was that it will disconnect, even with the switch on, if the second batt goes below 10V and the primary is below 13.2V. You can let us know. Not a biggie just somehting you might want to test.
[back to topic]

:iagree
After I went back re-read the specs on the separator, I tend to agree with you. I'll call and talk with the guys at Wrangler NW Power on Monday but I bet they will agree the more logical way to attach my winch is to the primary battery and not the secondary. It does sound like if my winch draws down the secondary too much, the separator won't allow it to connect with the primary battery. I'll post back what Wrangler recomends after I talk with them.

[Vegas Runner]

:iagree
After I went back re-read the specs on the separator, I tend to agree with you. I'll call and talk with the guys at Wrangler NW Power on Monday but I bet they will agree the more logical way to attach my winch is to the primary battery and not the secondary. It does sound like if my winch draws down the secondary too much, the separator won't allow it to connect with the primary battery. I'll post back what Wrangler recomends after I talk with them.

Connect the winch to your aux battery, which ideally is a deep cycle or hybrid battery, not a starting battery. Your aux (deep cycle) is much better suited to winching. Even if you do not have a deep cycle, you dont want either (or both) of your batteries going below 10v unless you plan on damaging your batteries and/or dont mind being stuck.

Do not use the overide switch while winching no matter which battery your winch is connected to. If you use the overide switch while winching there is no protection for your primary battery whatsoever. The overide switch will keep the aux battery connected to the primary battery and in the charging circuit down to the point where the aux battery reaches 10V. IF your aux battery reaches 10V (while in parallel, using the bypass switch) this means that your primary battery will also be severly discharged (not good, you may not be able to start your car, or keep it running). Even if you keep your car running during winching, this will likely be the case because in all likelyhood you are drawing more current (over 100-120A) than your alternator can deliver (otherwise your voltage would not be dropping). And remember while your batteries are in parallel (up to the 10V cutoff) your aux battery is in the charging circuit. Also you want to protect your main battery during winching so you do not become disabled. In a severely discharged primary battery situation even a jump start may not get you out.

Dont use the overide while winching. Connect the winch to the aux. battery and dont use the override function. Your winch will run on the aux and primary batteries until the voltage on the primary battery drops below 12.4V-12.9V (when the load is greater than the alternator can deliver) then your primary will drop off protecting it. When it has recovered to 13.2V-13.5V it will then come on line again. This method will give you the maximum amperage available without putting your primary battery at risk.

Connect the winch to your aux battery! Do not connect it to your primary battery. If you connect the winch to the primary battery there is no protection for your primary battery whatsoever. If you use the overide switch while the wich is hooked to the primary battery you are putting your entire system at risk. If you do not use the overide then you may have to jump start your car using the overide at the end on the winching session.

Get the most out of winching and protect your primary battery. Connect the winch to your aux battery, do not use the overide during winching! If you are in such a severe situation that you have dropped you aux battery below 10V, stop winching and let your battery recover before contiuing. Do not put both of your batteries at risk at the same time. Connect the winch to your aux battery!

[Tucson T4R]

[QUOTE=Vegas Runner]Connect the winch to your aux battery

[B]Do not use the overide switch while winching no matter which battery your winch is connected to.

[B]Dont use the overide while winching

[B]Connect the winch to your aux battery! Do not connect it to your primary battery

[B]Get the most out of winching and protect your primary battery. Connect the winch to your aux battery, do not use the overide during winching!QUOTE]

:rotflmao: OK, OK....I got the point. :D I think I'll leave the winch attached to the aux battery. Thanks for your insight.

[Vegas Runner]

:rotflmao: OK, OK....I got the point. :D I think I'll leave the winch attached to the aux battery. Thanks for your insight.

IMHO only :)

[Vegas Runner]

Andries, thanks for moving the posts.

[bulldog]

Ed, you make very valid points for long heavy duty recoveries. Most of us are still figuring out this winch thing anyhow, but will probably only do short recoveries in reality. However it looks like you have the best plan for doing winching with a dual battery setup.

[Vegas Runner]

Ed, you make very valid points for long heavy duty recoveries. Most of us are still figuring out this winch thing anyhow, but will probably only do short recoveries in reality. However it looks like you have the best plan for doing winching with a dual battery setup.

I hope I did not come across to strongly. :)

[bulldog]

I hope I did not come across to strongly. :)
You just made your points clear :D

I think for the type of winching you do (long and hard) it is a must to look at it that way. Reality is that a lot of folks use winches with a single battery for 4x4 recovery as well, simply because they only require short winch intervals for self/or others' recovery. Just one of those things where folks need to understand their requirements, setup and limitations before using a piece of equipment.

[Vegas Runner]

You just made your points clear :D

I think for the type of winching you do (long and hard) it is a must to look at it that way. Reality is that a lot of folks use winches with a single battery for 4x4 recovery as well, simply because they only require short winch intervals for self/or others' recovery. Just one of those things where folks need to understand their requirements, setup and limitations before using a piece of equipment.
:iagree

I tend to tihink in terms of the most demanding situation.

[Mikestang]

Good input, Ed. Thanks. Makes me want to set up dual batteries before I get my winch.

[Vegas Runner]

Good input, Ed. Thanks. Makes me want to set up dual batteries before I get my winch.

Lots of people run winches with just one battery. The second battery just gives you some insurance.