Winch

[flintknapper]

Wire.

Wow! I've only had mine for 2 years, I did spray lithium grease in a little cut out by the cable. Between the spool and the housing.

I'll have to check for the maintenance requirements.

Wire rope can sort of take a 'set' and be a 'bit' more hesitant to spool off....but I would wager just 'use' will free it up. You might check to be sure your winch clutch is fully disengaged. IF your winch will allow, put the lever/clutch in 'freespool' and just bump the 'in' button to see that it doesn't try to reel in.

But just pulling the line all the way out and re-spooling from time to time is usually enough to overcome any stickiness or new winch tolerance issues.

 

[enox]

You might check to be sure your winch clutch is fully disengaged. IF your winch will allow, put the lever/clutch in 'freespool' and just bump the 'in' button to see that it doesn't try to reel in.

Thanks! I'll give this a try.

 

[unclegit]

Double check the wiring - I had mine wired wrong and it would start to spool than stop....

Rather embarrassing as I took it back to come-up for diagnosis since they are local.

Excellent winch so far - highly recommended.

 

[enox]

Winches require maintenance like any other mechanical device. Most manufacturers will have the info in the manual.
I clean and lube the planetary drive gears on my M12K about every 2-3 years depending on usage. It's about 22 years old and on its second 80 Series and 4th rope.

Yeah I called smittybilt, was advised that it didn't need any servicing that it's a sealed unit..

You might check to be sure your winch clutch is fully disengaged. IF your winch will allow, put the lever/clutch in 'freespool' and just bump the 'in' button to see that it doesn't try to reel in.

Ok finally got around to this today, the smittybilt tech advised... Power out about 5' of cable, then click to free spool and give a pull.

I did this, still requires a bit of umph as in, I definitely can't just hold the hook and walk out.

Tried the "in" while it was in free spool and nothing, not a tug..

SOOO the service guy said it takes a while for them to break in and even once broken in, un spool at least 1x a month to keep everything moving. So I'm sure I just haven't used it enough for it to break in, I have only used it for 3 recoveries since I installed it.

 

[LINUS]

Lightly sand all contacts right up to the battery terminals & coat in grease - dielectric preferred but any grease displaces air to let oxidize / corrode.

You absolutely can winch on the stock ~60a alt w/ a single battery, just get a hand throttle & install.

I have run my M12K that way the entire time I’ve had the black 80 (pre-‘00 purchase, owned 20+ yrs)

HTH.

 

[joesadam]

Winches can run on battery for only a few minutes, depending on the average amp rate per hour of battery life.
But if the battery is connected to the engine, you can run your winch on battery power for an indefinite time.
As long as your battery is connected with the engine and the engine is ignited/ on, your battery will be able to provide enough charge to run your winch.
You can find best guide for winch according to your vehicle on Heavy Duty Guide.

 

[jonheld]

But if the battery is connected to the engine, you can run your winch on battery power for an indefinite time.

Only if there's no load attached to the winch. With a load, the winch will draw much more than the alternator can supply. Eventually the battery voltage will decrease to the point of stalling.

 

[flintknapper]

Only if there's no load attached to the winch. With a load, the winch will draw much more than the alternator can supply. Eventually the battery voltage will decrease to the point of stalling.

Exactly right.