How Important Is It To Have Dual Batts With Winch

[spressomon]

Hey Doug,
Out of curiosity what batteries are you using currently? I went out to the garage this AM and the original battery in my '99 apparently gave up the ghost. I think I am going to try the Exide Orbital ORB78...since Optima's seem to have their fair share of nay-sayers...including a Suburban guy in our office that is having Yellow Top issues.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Hey Doug,
Out of curiosity what batteries are you using currently? I went out to the garage this AM and the original battery in my '99 apparently gave up the ghost. I think I am going to try the Exide Orbital ORB78...since Optima's seem to have their fair share of nay-sayers...including a Suburban guy in our office that is having Yellow Top issues.

One optima blue top right now -- bought it at my local Costco. If I have any problems I'll take it back.

I also have a Kirkland brand (Costco's brand) that I will be returning -- it gave up the ghost early -- I guess it didn't like the drain-recharge cycle I was putting it through with the ARB fridge running all the time. Once I return that one, I'll pick up a 2nd blue top (from costco again) and finish my dual battery set up.

 

[desertdude]

Yellow top - or the higher rated Blue top - seem to hold out a few years of good use.

 

[FirstToy]

Doug,
I was considering the Blue Top as my sole battery once my stock batt goes. I like the secondary posts for extra accessorys and have heard good things Go for it or stick w/ the Yellow Top?

A few accessories but the most drain will be the fridge.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

James-I'm not sure how big the 4runner's battery tray is, but the marine blue top from Costco is more than adequate. I run that in my FJ40 with no issues at all. I do not have a dual battery in that truck. If you have a really big battery area, you could try the Marine D31M which is huge. Throw in a $50 battery booster and you are good to go anywhere for low $$.

 

[desertdude]

Throw in a $50 battery booster and you are good to go anywhere for low $$.

I ran with those for years and still do - great for porta power for speakers and an iPod - charge up the phone -or run my computer.

 

[FirstToy]

awesome, I know my next batt upgrade now. thanks

 

[robbie]

I have not read the whole thread, but my opinion is that any automatic vechicle that does expendintionary type travel needs a second battery of some sort. I have had good batteries go bad. If in a manual I can push start it, but in a auto you would have to take it to about 35 MPH before you can get the fluid to sling to start the engine. Even with EFi You would need nominal voltage of 10.5 volts to drive the computers. so the engine needs to be turning enough to generate voltage before it fires. What a senerio for being stuck in the outback. Any how I have installed 2 6 volt optioma in the passenger rear quater panel. I can not remember what guage wire I ahve run to the switch, but lets say I have a faster starting engine these days and the cold does not effict the starting in the winter. Doing the dual system is to me really necessary, I hate asking for a jump start from anybody. As for the winch, it will run longer and faster with two batteries vs one alone. Just food for thought. later robbie

 

[expeditionswest]

I have not read the whole thread, but my opinion is that any automatic vechicle that does expendintionary type travel needs a second battery of some sort...

I agree. For several years I have used a portable battery pack for back-up. The second battery does not need to be a permanent fixture of the truck.

Now I have a second battery system designed for my Tacoma, but that is to support the heavy accessory draw of the fridge, etc.

 

[desertdude]

Scott - Where is your second battery mounted?

 

[expeditionswest]

Pasquale,

It will mount in front of the fridge, behind the driver. I have a nice optima battery mount made by 4wheeler Supply in Phoenix. I want that weight in the center of the truck, and down as low as possible. I am using a blue top optima, and have the circuits connected only when the volts exceed 13v (when the alternator is running)

 

[turbocruiser]

Do i dare ask ... is the perfect switch possible to purchase at this point?

Any testimonials?

I'm seriously interested, although skeptically so ...

 

[desertdude]

Do i dare ask ... is the perfect switch possible to purchase at this point?

 

[NorCalDoug]

has it been 2 weeks already? wait a couple more...

 

[desertdude]

there is a great saying in the building trades ( also in the movie the money pit) "When will it be finished"? "Two weeks"

I am not in a rush...

 

[reffug]

Do i dare ask ... is the perfect switch possible to purchase at this point?

Any testimonials?

I'm seriously interested, although skeptically so ...

No its not thanks for playing.

No testimonials cause no one has the damn thing.

Your skepticism is well placed young jedi.

 

[spressomon]

Do i dare ask ... is the perfect switch possible to purchase at this point?

Any testimonials?

I'm seriously interested, although skeptically so ...

"If I had a nickel for everytime I heard this one..."...well then I guess I could easily pay for one of these things with all those nickels...when they become available of course

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Wow, I can't beleive I just read all that...

I will say this, I have installed dozens of winches on Cruisers, with and without dual batteries... In all cases, I recomend the use of two batteries especially in an old carb'd FJ40 that might not be running while winched.

Now, onto the switching device... I have used the HellRoaring, great product, I have used the NW Wrangler (I run it on my truck), great product... They have been working on Cruisers for 10+ years, can't argue with reliability and availability...

I am a man for new tech, hell I'm an engineering student, tech specs make me giggle... but at some point I sit back and enjoy the fact I run a carb.... a plain simple carb

My setup...

 

[rusty_tlc]

Lets assume a warn 8274-50 in an FJ40.

A Warn 8274 w/ 3000 # load requires about 300 Amps.
A stock 2F alternator supplies 45 Amps. No matter what engine you have the stoock alternator will supply enough current to run the motor and recharge the battery from normal starting, not much more. I can put a GM alternator on my 2F but it still isn't going to supply 300 amps, it will cut the battery recovery time (time to return the battery to full charge).

So it's all about the battery when you winch. Warn recomends a 650CCA battery, the optima yellow top D34/78 is rated at 750@0F/810@32F. A good choice.

Deep cycle batteries are designed to be drained almost flat and recharged regular batteries are not. If you use a winch often or frequently run your battery way down you need a deep cycle battery. Optima is a deep cycle battery.

Do you need two batteries to winch? How long do you plan to run your winch? Most times it will only be for a few minutes, and infrequently at that. A standard automotive battery rated at 650 CCA would do fine.

So the answer to the original question " How Important Is It To Have Dual Batts With Winch Reply to Thread" is not very.

However there are a lot of other good reason to run dual batteries.

 

[pismojim]

Deep cycle batteries are designed to be drained almost flat and recharged regular batteries are not. If you use a winch often or frequently run your battery way down you need a deep cycle battery. Optima is a deep cycle battery.

I would disagree.

Winching is generally a short duration high amp load, the best choice is a "starting" battery designed to give up large amounts of amps fast and in turn recharge fast. By definition this is a starting battery.

The deep cycle gives up amps slow - and for a long time - and charges slow. It can go "deeper" into discharge (low voltage) and recover, again and again. That's my choice for fridge and auxilary loads.

I'm using a DIY dual battery system: My dual battery system

I can use either or both for winching via a 400 amp switch. My first choice is the starting battery, with the auxillary in reserve.

I do agree with Rusty's conclusion to the original question: Dual batteries is not very important for winching.

Cheers,