Winches and Alternators
- Thread starter Misafit
- Start date
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I've used the Superwinch 9.0 on my jeep quite often with the stock alternator without any troubles...
I prefer an electric winch.
BTW, 12voltguy.com - Home sells some NICE in cab switches for any winch.
I prefer an electric winch.
BTW, 12voltguy.com - Home sells some NICE in cab switches for any winch.
MCL_68
New member
I suggest an electric winch...your OEM alternator should be fine.... as long as the alternator and battery are in good condition.
The winch draws a lot of current while using it....Maybe consider a dual battery setup later.
I also recommend using synthetic winch line for safety reasons also to save weight...
BTW: I didn't see anything in your sig....how do you plan on mounting the winch???? Do you have a winch bumper planned....
DuckieAZ
New member
As I'm sure it's obvious, always winch with the vehical on. We had some guys having trouble in our snow about a month ago, offered some help but they said no. They were winching with their jeep off. When we came back down, Another rig was attempting to jump the original jeep. :flamethrwoer2:
Agreed! There's no faster way to kill a battery than running a winch directly from it....
dakota jack
New member
the electrician who wired my winch suggests the opposite may be true. idling while winching puts a huge drain on a typical alternator, which goes all out and can burn up trying to meet the demand. his suggestion is to actually winch off the battery, which i have now done many times, and simply keep a spare booster battery on hand in case the battery is drawn to zero.
i have a good size interstate battery and by being careful i have never killed it, even pulling vehicles out of snow, but i have the booster just in case.
i have a good size interstate battery and by being careful i have never killed it, even pulling vehicles out of snow, but i have the booster just in case.
08GX470Driver
New member
I'd run the risk of destroying my alternator over time instead of being stranded
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I have been using a Warn HS9500i for about 10 years on my Jeep. I have been doing some HEAVY pulls. When I went for the stock battery to a better one the difference was huge. On my jeep I have a hand throttle I can lock in place. This way I can keep my revs up without having to be in the jeep.
I have the original stock alternator (110 or 115 amp) and it hasn't failed yet.
Winches draw allot, somewhere around 400 amps. No system can really keep up with them. Keeping the revs up so the alternator runs better is the best thing you can do to keep things working as good as they can. If you have to do allot of winching in a short period of time feel the winch and the wires going to the winch. If they start to get real hot give the winch a break and let it cool.
I have been wheeling for over a decade and done and seen allot of winching. Your stock set up with a good battery and keeping you motor revved while winching will work just fine. Now if you are running a massive stereo, 100s of watts of light while you are winching you will need to upgrade you system.
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find a new electrician.
BucknutBob
New member
For the record, Ross, the stock Yota alternator is nowhere near 110 amps--more like 45-50 (at least on older ones--not sure what the 3rd gen + use). Still, others are saying the stock set-up will work, so maybe even that wimp will do okay--I still intend to upgrade mine for good measure, though. Good advice on the better battery!
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Anybody telling somebody to run their winch of the battery without the vehicle running really has no idea what they are talking about. There maybe be circumstances where this is the only option but unless it is one of those unique situations make sure your vehicle is running and you have the engine revved.
BucknutBob
New member
I think you misunderstood me--I wasn't questioning whether to keep the vehicle running, only pointing out that the older alternators aren't very powerful. Keeping it running, especially with an aux. throttle lock to keep the revs up, is what I've read the pros do...so I will, too.
In post #11 it was suggested to just run just off the batt. I understand you weren't suggesting that.
Pikeman
New member
Ok hand throttles are nice for the rare occasion you can't be in the vehicle. However the SAFEST place to be most of the time is in the vehicle. That is why they make the control cable long enough to reach all the way back and inside the cab. If a cable breaks being outside and exposed is not where you want to be. Upgrading the alternator and battery is highly suggested and will work better than a stock set-up.
Any place you are out of the snap zone or are behind cover to definitely the inside the vehicle, with the hood up is a good place. There are times you would want to be out. You may need a better view of the vehicle, the cable or the winch. If you do a side pull the cable will end up rolling on one side and could bind up the winch. You have to get out and watch for this, you also have to protect yourself.
You can also place a jacket or bag over the line to reduce the danger.
My recovery equipment is in a back pack. I run the winch cable through the straps of this back pack when I winch. If the cable breaks the cable won't be as dangerous. I have never broken a winch cable but I have broken a couple of straps and putting weight on them (such as the back pack) will keep things from flying. You will just hear the snap and the strap falls straight down without any force behind it.
Hand throttles also have other uses besides winching.
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