smaller top posts on d31m for winch?

[miked]

Is it OK to use the smaller top posts on an optima D31M for a warn 12K winch?
I've got them hooked up that way now and have only done a light, short pull for testing and it seems to work but I'm concerned about longer heavy pulls.

 

[619TOY]

You may consider calling Optima. I know that you should not use the side posts on a group 34 Optima for a winch but it looks like there is less distance between the two posts on the group 31. If I were to guess, I'd think you would be better off attatching to the main posts.

So I guess you got it hooked up ok other than that?

 

[miked]

Steve... LOL! I was wondering if you'd see this post. Yeah, it's all hooked up just like you had it on your rig except for the battery connection. I've been meaning to get the 'military style' or some type of heavy duty connector. The ones I have now are pretty rough. I've heard the same warnings about using side posts for heavy current. One guy told me it's because they get hot, melt the plastic and then lop off. He looked at my setup and thought it would be alright but... my concern is a current limitation due to a thin connection to the main 'plates' or main terminals.

The only pull so far was sort of a 'tug of war' with my friends (goob) fj40 equipped with an off brand 10K winch. Actually, I just hooked on to his recovery point because we were afraid of his hook or cable failing. lol. The contest was to see who's rig dragged it's tires first. It pulled plenty strong so I don't know if I'm getting fewer amps or not.

I'm looking at these for upgraded terminals

https://www.stellmar.com/content/electromech/BatteryTerminals/html/3534_35.php