Ok so the last time I owned a winch I fried 3 batteries. They were like about a 80 dollar piece on average. I got the free from a friend though. MY question is what is everybody running? How have you all installed it? I am wondering if I need to drop a optima yellow top in there or what? I don't know. What are you all running? Also I have considered running a dual battery setup. Any body done that?

 

I running a regular old Duralast Gold (Autozones "premium" battery). I've been running that and I have Smittybuilt XRC8000 winch and it has worked fine for me. Like a couple of weekends ago up in Evan's Creek in the deep snow. I was running my winch all day and it never missed a lick...well, until the cable snapped...lol. Power was never a problem. Just kept the Jeep running at an idle whenever using the winch.

 

Sounds like you either need to learn basic electrical skills or have someone who has these skills install your winch.

 

maybe weak alt. i idle mine up a bit and hold it at 1000while winching and my volt gage stays above 12 or so without doing that as well. i have a red top optima and a 140 amp alt. a weak alt can keep jeep charged and running but throw in a winch and it over works and cant charge the battery efficiently, also not grounding the winch to battery causes more draw from winch.(did on mine when it was grounded to bumper.)

 

sounds like you didnt read the manual on your winch..
when you re using the winch, you need to rev your engine above 2k .. so the alternator can keep charging your battery while your draining it..
it ll stop it from burning up.
also.. you can leave you jeep in Drive to help the winch out while your spooling in.. this always prevents battery burn outs..

red top Optima.. best $99 ever spent 3 years ago...

Mark

 

x2 i alwaye try and drive with it. btw i left my switch on all last night from 5 to 6 this mornin and cranked right up. you can get one with good crankin amps and reserve...

 

Y'anywhere near the South SF Bay Area? If y'are, you can drop by one after-noon and I'll see what I can help you with. I like to think I know at least a bit about setting up pretty much anything...

 

Just get the highest cca battery you can afford and make sure to keep the revs up when using it and you should be ok

 

Quite possibly so. Thus Why I am asking questions. Now that the batteries are not free I don't feel like chunking $70 out after every time I use my winch. LOL thanks