And I can see where the winch could come in very handy moving things around the yard rather than just pushing or pulling with a vehicle. So again not a heavy use of the winch.
Not sure how I would connect an isolator - or if I should use a knife switch or electronic diode of some type. I'm still learning about winches. I would want the alternator to keep pumping current into the two batteries but not overcharge the one battery as the winch drains the other battery.
Years ago when I wired my other truck for dual batteries, I ran everything except the starter, ignition and fuel gauge off one battery and everything else off the other battery. That way I could have the truck off and still have headlights, radio and other accessories going and not worry about killing the battery too far down so it would not start. But I don't remember how I kept from over-charging the good battery when I started the truck after hours of running things off the second battery.
And with a winch its more complicated because the truck will be running when I use the winch to keep pumping more current into the auxiliary battery but I don't want to overcharge the starter/ignition battery. Or perhaps a few minutes of overcharging a battery does not matter? Or perhaps it won't overcharge and all additional current will go into the more depleted battery because electricity follows the path of least resistance?
Another area where I've got conflicting advice - the installation of the winch itself. Some have told me I should use heavy 1/2 inch steel plate to mount the winch and others have told me I should use something thinner than truck frame. But 1/2 in. plate seems overly thick and heavy. Someone was telling me I want the frame extensions and winch mounting lighter than the frame itself so in a minor collision the frame extensions will bend and not the frame itself.
Almost everyone I know has hit a deer on the highways around here. We have a lot of suicidal deer running around town. I really wish they would cull their population some but probably won't happen until some child gets stomped to death. They have no fear of people or cars. . .or trucks with winches.
So as you can see, I still have lots more to learn about winches. And more questions will be posted.
Thank you, Sir for your insight and wisdom.Statistics: Posted by overdriveSteve — Mon Mar 18, 2024 4:35 pm
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