Winch Question

[Gottagetone]

I am looking at installing a winch and want to know if a dual battery setup is necessarry. I am sure I will get both yes and no answers, I want to know the pros & cons.
Thanks

The winch I am leaning towards is the Superwinch EP9.0 to mount in my ARB bumper.

[layonnn]

no, a dual battery is not necessary to run a winch. At all.

Now, if you are running, lights, amps, new headunits, winch, aircompressors, fridge, etc. then yes, a dual battery setup might be a wise decision.

[SouthTexasCruiser]

I'm looking at the same winch, I just don't know if it will fit in the demello bumper I just ordered.

[Swingshiftworker]

layonnn previously said:

no, a dual battery is not necessary to run a winch. At all.

X2.

A dual battery is simply "insurance." You can bypass the main to run extra accessories (like a winch) directly off of it and you can also use it to "jump" the main. I have a dual battery set up in my FJ, but not in my Jeep. So, I carry one of those dry cell battery jumper gizmos in my Jeep just in case the battery dies, but I don't need to do that in the FJ since I can just flip a switch to use the second battery to jump the main. Very convenient, but not essental.

[INI SLDR]

If you kill the battery with the winch and the engine stops your done until rescued. A low battery disconnect at the least. I have heard the Panasonic is actually a decent battery. Its worked down to -20 but it might not survive too many deep dishcharges. My .02

[Fjamming]

INI SLDR previously said:

If you kill the battery with the winch and the engine stops your done until rescued. A low battery disconnect at the least. I have heard the Panasonic is actually a decent battery. Its worked down to -20 but it might not survive too many deep dishcharges. My .02

There's a nifty gauge inside that shows the battery charge level. I'm guess it's possible to drain the battery with the winch, but it's either going to be a extreme long pull or a battery in terrible shape. I'd say the lights are more likely to drain the battery then the winch. You're more likely to leave the lights on then to have the winch going without the motor running...

[cruiserlarry]

The primary reason to have a dual battery system is for reserve capacity.

All of your accessories run off the alternator when the vehicle is running, so it's capacity is what matters when considering what devices will be powered all the time.

The batteries are basically storage devices - they hold a charge to allow the vehicle to start, so that the alternator can take over the function of "running" the vehicle's electrical system (while recharging the batteries for the next start). Should a battery fail, the vehicle can't start, and the rest is obvious. The second battery gives you the reserve to start the vehicle in the case of a weak or failed primary battery.

For the off-roader, the second battery has additional advantages. When camping, or out on the trail, you may need to run electrical devices without the engine running - freezer-fridge, two-way radios, air compressor, GPS, interior lighting, radio, etc... - which can drain a good battery enough to present the vehicle from starting. A second battery, again, will allow you to start the vehicle, and allow the alternator to recharge the depleted primary battery.

In addition, winches drawn a large amount of electricity when they are used. In some cases, you might draw more current then the alternator can put out to replenish the battery. Again, you'd be left unable to start the vehicle if used for any length of time.

In the rare case of an alternator failure, the vehicle can only run for a limited time - once the battery is drained, the engine cannot fire and will no longer run. A second battery will allow you twice the driving distance when no charge is available from the alternator.

So, you do not need a dual battery system, for using a winch, or for any other reason. But, for the off road enthusiast, it offers many advantages when trouble strikes out on the trail, far from roadside assistance....

[RockyMtnHigh]

Gottagetone previously said:

I am looking at installing a winch and want to know if a dual battery setup is necessarry. I am sure I will get both yes and no answers, I want to know the pros & cons.
Thanks

I was just reading about this on Bill Burke's web site this morning:

4x4 Accessories - Winch article by Bill Burke

Amperage draw is a point to consider. Under normal recreational winching, the average alternator and battery will do the job. I do recommend having at least an 800 or higher rated Cold Cranking amp rating on the battery. Batteries like the Optima can sustain larger draw than some higher rated batteries. The stock alternator on my old Jeep worked fine at 85 amps cold rating. Of course, I went over to the Premier Power Welder alternator that has 160 cold rating.

Alternators are rated when they are "fresh" (that is, cold). When they get hot, they lose capacity fast, so some of the stock units will only put out 30 or so amps when you need it the most. The PPW alternator does not lose its capacity so readily. If you anticipate doing some serious winching, which comes with serious 'wheeling, then change over to heavier componentry. Like I said, though, for the average recreational 4-wheeler, the stock battery and alternator will do fine. Understand, though, that the engine should be running at least 2000 RPM above idle to help the alternator charge the battery.

Gottagetone previously said:

The winch I am leaning towards is the Superwinch EP9.0 to mount in my ARB bumper.

Winch, Winches, Superwinch, Self recovery winch, Winch with synthetic winch line

Not sure if you've seen this, but winchline.com has got the EP9 for $699 comes with 80' of 3/8" synthetic line and a 20,000 lb. snatch block.

[layonnn]

RockyMtnHigh previously said:

Not sure if you've seen this, but winchline.com has got the EP9 for $699 comes with 80' of 3/8" synthetic line and a 20,000 lb. snatch block.

That is a pretty good deal!!!

[MrBigAxe]

That's a very good deal!!!