Really basic winch queries

[SD198]

Hi all - I have been using a boat winch off the back of my truck to hoist fallow carcasses for gralloching. Not sure if it is my winches (I have tried several) or user error, but I am fed up of the pawl on the winch flipping too far and rendering it ineffective - so I am considering switching to a powered hoist. I would be grateful for any tips in relation to a few basic starting queries:

1. My truck (a 2017 Ford ranger) has a power socket in the bed - but I think I am right in saying it will not have enough power to run an electric winch?

2. Am I right in thinking that if I buy an electric winch I should be able to literally just attach it to my trucks main battery as and when needed with the same sort of " clips" that you use to attach a battery charger (and then presumably run the engine whilst using the winch)?

Many thanks

 

[tackb]

1, no that socket is not rated for the current draw unless it's a purpose fitted heavy duty one?

2, you can but i would recommend running a cable from your battery (fit an inline fuse) to an anderson connector or similar , it won't take you long or be expensive if you are slightly handy ?

 

[Tim.243]

Hi all - I have been using a boat winch off the back of my truck to hoist fallow carcasses for gralloching. Not sure if it is my winches (I have tried several) or user error, but I am fed up of the pawl on the winch flipping too far and rendering it ineffective - so I am considering switching to a powered hoist. I would be grateful for any tips in relation to a few basic starting queries:

1. My truck (a 2017 Ford ranger) has a power socket in the bed - but I think I am right in saying it will not have enough power to run an electric winch?

2. Am I right in thinking that if I buy an electric winch I should be able to literally just attach it to my trucks main battery as and when needed with the same sort of " clips" that you use to attach a battery charger (and then presumably run the engine whilst using the winch)?

Many thanks

£20.00 winch
x2 fallow

82kg dressed

The reds go on the tail gate and have the head off then clean them out

84kg dressed

I say it could be you
Same winch for quite a while.

 

[wytonpjs]

Electric winches draw a LOT of current, especially under load or close to stalling so you cannot use a cigarette socket - you need a dedicated high current supply. I have a plywood sub-board in the back of my Discovery Sport onto which is mounted a 3000lb pull ATV winch. I use this to hoist the beast up on a tow-bar gibet and to pull the animal in my sled up a ladder ramp into the back. I have an Anderson connector directly connected onto the battery in the engine compartment and a small lead with Anderson connectors to jump up the connector size ant the winch end so that I can "plug in" a 3m length of very heavy duty good-quality cables (to minimise loss) to bridge the gap to connect the winch to the battery. When required, I pass the "blue cable through the front passenger window, lift the bonnet and connect to the connector in the engine bay. Takes seconds to rig and saves permanently running cables under/into the vehicle and does away for switches/cut-outs too. I use the engine bay Anderson connector for my front-mounted vehicle winch too to save having it permanently wired in with isolators, etc. A picture is worth a thousand words - see thumbnails below:

 

[SD198]

Thanks for the replies. What I have in mind is something similar to what wytonpjs has. My truck bed has heavy duty hooks attached to the chassis which I presume would be sufficient to attach an electric winch to? Fitting the Anderson connectors doesn't look too difficult and I presume I could simply run heavy duty cable from the winch in the bed round the outside to the main battery under the bonnet? Is that a particular type of cable I should be getting and any particular spec of electric winch?

 

[User00056]

You could just buy a basic quad winch kit that includes the solenoid relay? That'll let you run it directly off the vehicle 12 volt supply

Something like this? (Plenty of other to choose from, but it shows you how reasonably priced it can be)

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Tim.243]

Electric winches draw a LOT of current, especially under load or close to stalling so you cannot use a cigarette socket - you need a dedicated high current supply. I have a plywood sub-board in the back of my Discovery Sport onto which is mounted a 3000lb pull ATV winch. I use this to hoist the beast up on a tow-bar gibet and to pull the animal in my sled up a ladder ramp into the back. I have an Anderson connector directly connected onto the battery in the engine compartment and a small lead with Anderson connectors to jump up the connector size ant the winch end so that I can "plug in" a 3m length of very heavy duty good-quality cables (to minimise loss) to bridge the gap to connect the winch to the battery. When required, I pass the "blue cable through the front passenger window, lift the bonnet and connect to the connector in the engine bay. Takes seconds to rig and saves permanently running cables under/into the vehicle and does away for switches/cut-outs too. I use the engine bay Anderson connector for my front-mounted vehicle winch too to save having it permanently wired in with isolators, etc. A picture is worth a thousand words - see thumbnails below:


View attachment 443362View attachment 443363View attachment 443364View attachment 443365View attachment 443366

Very nice Peter, mine just goes click click and more clicks just like the Jaws movie lol

 

[wytonpjs]

Very nice Peter, mine just goes click click and more clicks just like the Jaws movie lol

Work smarter, no harder. Us pensioners need to be careful you know

 

[wytonpjs]

Thanks for the replies. What I have in mind is something similar to what wytonpjs has. My truck bed has heavy duty hooks attached to the chassis which I presume would be sufficient to attach an electric winch to? Fitting the Anderson connectors doesn't look too difficult and I presume I could simply run heavy duty cable from the winch in the bed round the outside to the main battery under the bonnet? Is that a particular type of cable I should be getting and any particular spec of electric winch?

Welding cables or high quality jump start cables - copper not copper coated aluminium! They are not cheap but buy once, cry once. With the Anderson connectors they make easy jump start connectors with a short croc clip lead. Go for the cheapest ATV winch you can find, preferably with seems not wire cable.

 

[Tim.243]

Work smarter, no harder. Us pensioners need to be careful you know

The title said

"Really basic winch queries"​

Now we are wiring up the Hadron Collider............

 

[wytonpjs]

The title said

"Really basic winch queries"​

Now we are wiring up the Hadron Collider............

In previous vehicle electric winch installation I've done, it has seemed a bit like that. Now, for an electric winch solution as the OP sought (having experienced issues with several mechanical ratchet winches) I think my suggestion is about as basic as it comes

K.I.S.S.

 

[wytonpjs]

Welding cables or high quality jump start cables - copper not copper coated aluminium! They are not cheap but buy once, cry once. With the Anderson connectors they make easy jump start connectors with a short croc clip lead. Go for the cheapest ATV winch you can find, preferably with seems not wire cable.

@SD198 Forgot to say, beg, borrow or buy a cheap Chinese hydraulic crimp to make the Anderson terminal connections. Trying to fudge/bodge it will end in tears

 

[Tim.243]

In previous vehicle electric winch installation I've done, it has seemed a bit like that. Now, for an electric winch solution as the OP sought (having experienced issues with several mechanical ratchet winches) I think my suggestion is about as basic as it comes

K.I.S.S.

The ones I have fitted over the years on my friends Fleet
One at each end winch them on/off.

 

[LBchainsawcarvings]

Hi all - I have been using a boat winch off the back of my truck to hoist fallow carcasses for gralloching. Not sure if it is my winches (I have tried several) or user error, but I am fed up of the pawl on the winch flipping too far and rendering it ineffective - so I am considering switching to a powered hoist. I would be grateful for any tips in relation to a few basic starting queries:

1. My truck (a 2017 Ford ranger) has a power socket in the bed - but I think I am right in saying it will not have enough power to run an electric winch?

2. Am I right in thinking that if I buy an electric winch I should be able to literally just attach it to my trucks main battery as and when needed with the same sort of " clips" that you use to attach a battery charger (and then presumably run the engine whilst using the winch)?

Many thanks

Hi , option 2 is exactly what I run for winching narrow access wood chipper into the back of my van, as it has a tow ball hitch mount so you can also use it on tow bar at rear of the van for pulling trees over or logs closer to the van, works great and easy set up. Just keep the engine running and had no problems with battery

 

[SD198]

Thanks again for all the help - looking at the spec of the atv winch that Quixote suggested, it does kind of look like it does everything I would need.... Excuse my ignorance again, but would that be attached to the main truck battery - and if so how?

 

[Motard]

This a good option to me. Discrete power and with the bonus of being full self containing. It it possible to choose the rope's kind: full metal or kevlar. for dirty job I bought the steel one wich needs less care

Superwinch 4000 LBS 12V DC 3/16in x 50ft Steel Rope Winch2Go Steel Rope

Experience reliable recovery power with the Superwinch Winches2Go Series. This robust 4000 lbs rated winch operates on 12V DC, making it compatible with most automotive electrical systems. Its sturdy 3/16 inch diameter steel rope spans 50 feet, providing excellent reach and strength for a...

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