Winch type – yet another winch question.

[KSV]

Is anyone can share first-hand experience, please?
Absolute majority winches are electrical. Understandable why – simple to install and convenient to operate by flicking of switch. Another known types are old-fashion mechanical (takes power from gearbox via dedicated propeller shaft) and hydraulic one. If I would have a choice I would go for mechanical one, no questions asked. But it is incredibly difficult (if ever possible) to get one. Hydraulic is cumbersome and clumsy. So only electrical left as a real option. But inside my guts I am not fully convinced that they are strong/reliable enough. Sure one can get 9k, 12k and even 16k winch. But for 12 volts system such a powerful motor (3.5 or even more kw) can draw 500 amps and even more. If it would be (say) 60 volts system there are would be no question. But for 12 volts loss in cables/connectors/contacts IMHO would be too much. Do not even mention the stress on batteries – my calculation shows that even for decent dual battery set-up batteries will left without any juice after 15 min of winching! And car will be advanced for mere 20-30 meters during this exercise. So what batteries life expectancy became for such a brutal abuse? One or two trips? Any commens?
Thanks.

 

[Trollhole]

8274-50

If you plan on winching a lot in a long period of time then electric is not for you. Most people buy electric because it's less maint, runs of battery not engine(still helps when your motor is dead), Good for quick pulls and is faster.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

You may have a few misconceptions. The motor of an electric winch can draw 3-400 amps as it starts, but that drops as it continues to run. Also you alternator is continuing to supply some of the power-80 amps or so. Long winching sessions can draw down the battery but you can winch a long way in that time, then wait and let it charge back up.

For trail recovery, most pulls are on the order of a few seconds to a minute or so. It isn't like you need to winch home from the trail. Once you are unstuck you either drive normally, or have your buddy hook up and tow your crippled truck.

I've seen hydraulics used a few times and while they work, your hair will turn gray while you wait for them to do the job. Electrics are a proven quantity in this type of use. Don't over think it. They work great and can (and will) save the day if you spend much time out in the weeds.

Now before anyone else says it: Buy a Warn.

 

[CruisinGA]

There is a reason the Warn 8274 has been around in its same basic design for over 30 years.

 

[KSV]

Thanks everyone. So hydraulic winch is piece of crap (and BTW I thought so) and electrical is only good enough to “unstuck” vehicle for 10 min job or so and not good enough for prolong winching (overheating, batteries drainage etc problem). Thus if I face muddy steeply long uphill and traction is not enough to keep moving then basically I am screwed, unless my truck has old fashion military-style mechanical winch. Correct?

 

[dfmorse]

A couple of years ago I performed a test to measure how much current my winch was drawing and to test my dual battery set up. I have the 10k Warn winch on the ARB winch bumper. Dual batteries consist of two Odyssey 925's dry batteries.

My brother wanted me to pull a large log up a 45 degree hill into his back yard. This old tree was about 25 feet long and 2.5 feet in diameter at the roots. You can guess what this hunk of wood weighs. It had fallen across the main road and needed to be removed. I hooked up to the tree with about 70 feet of cable and using one battery began the uphill pull. My Fluke current meter started out around 200 amps and averaged around 160 amps during the pull. The FZJ80 engine is, of course, running at around 1000 rpm. Winch motor was getting fairly hot; but u could still leave ur hand on the motor. Battery cables (#4 and #2) were mildly warm to the touch.

Near the top of the hill, I got tired of waiting, so I flipped the switch on my Hellroaring controller and zoom, ranked that log over the top. The max current draw was around 225 amps and the whole pull lasted maybe 15 minutes. Keep in mind that the log was also plowing up rocks and about 1.5 feet of wet dirt while being dragged up hill.

Works for me.

 

[KSV]

Interesting info, dfmorse. Thanks.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

I would not say hydraulic is a piece of crap, just the available choices are not suited to typical 4x4 uses. I would not own a tow truck without a hydraulic powered winch; IMHO an electric winch is not up to the abuse and shaft drives get to be complicated under some tow trucks.

But on my Cruisers I have a couple PTO winches for the 40 and 45 (one Ramsey and one OEM Toyota) and an electric Ramsey for the 60 (hey, it was $420 new and fits the ARB better than a PTO). For the use you described an electric winch will serve you well. Sure, I wish my wallet would afford a Warn but I'm guessing the Ramsey I just bought will work just fine for my needs too.

Nick

 

[CruisinGA]

Thanks everyone. So hydraulic winch is piece of crap (and BTW I thought so) and electrical is only good enough to “unstuck” vehicle for 10 min job or so and not good enough for prolong winching (overheating, batteries drainage etc problem). Thus if I face muddy steeply long uphill and traction is not enough to keep moving then basically I am screwed, unless my truck has old fashion military-style mechanical winch. Correct?

Incorrect. (on electric winch at least)

If you have a quality winch, with quality batteries and a quality alternator, there is absolutely nothing wrong with an extended pull using an electric winch.

 

[e9999]

A couple of years ago I performed a test to measure how much current my winch was drawing and to test my dual battery set up. I have the 10k Warn winch on the ARB winch bumper. Dual batteries consist of two Odyssey 925's dry batteries.

My brother wanted me to pull a large log up a 45 degree hill into his back yard. This old tree was about 25 feet long and 2.5 feet in diameter at the roots. You can guess what this hunk of wood weighs. It had fallen across the main road and needed to be removed. I hooked up to the tree with about 70 feet of cable and using one battery began the uphill pull. My Fluke current meter started out around 200 amps and averaged around 160 amps during the pull. The FZJ80 engine is, of course, running at around 1000 rpm. Winch motor was getting fairly hot; but u could still leave ur hand on the motor. Battery cables (#4 and #2) were mildly warm to the touch.

Near the top of the hill, I got tired of waiting, so I flipped the switch on my Hellroaring controller and zoom, ranked that log over the top. The max current draw was around 225 amps and the whole pull lasted maybe 15 minutes. Keep in mind that the log was also plowing up rocks and about 1.5 feet of wet dirt while being dragged up hill.

Works for me.

what did this hellroaring thing do that allowed you to zoom? switched to 24V?

 

[CruisinGA]

probably added a second battery to the mix...

the first was drained because the stock alternator cannot completely keep up with a 160 amp drain. There are alternators that can, mostly modified GM alternators.

If you decide to purchase a H.O. alternator, I would ask to see a RPM/Current curve, as it seems that the higher the max output, the worse the alternator performs around idle and at low RPMS-not great for wheeling.

 

[Poser]

8274-50


Dual batts

160 amp alt

double ott ( 00 ) gauge welding cable from the battery to the winch for power and ground...


You will play hell burning this winch up.



-Steve