Question for Truckster, or other winch owners
Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 19:51
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Member - Brian (Gold Coast)
Truckster...... do you have a circuit breaker on your winch?? Is it auto reset?? and what rating??
Reply By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 19:58
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 19:58
No circuit breaker or fuse on
mine, wired direct to the battery but I usually disconnect one terminal unless it looks like I might require it.
AnswerID:
143883
Reply By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 20:04
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 20:04
We have a switch operated by a key fitted into the bull bar. Should be quick and easy to turn off if something goes wrong.
AnswerID:
143884
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 20:11
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 20:11
Nope..
But I also have the 5 pin controller box. Never been an issue.
AnswerID:
143886
Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 20:28
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 20:28
Before you ask, I think Truckster is alluding to the 5 pin plug (as opposed to the earlier 3 pin type plug), being more idiot/@rsehole proof......The story goes (could be an urban myth) that some mongrels have been known to pull-out the winch cable, lay it over the roof of the vehicle, attach hook to tow-bar and then (after re-engaging the winch's clutch) short-out the pins on the solenoid box so that the cable is tightened and slices through the roof of your truck.
I haven't ever seen any photos of this and it may just be all bullchit.
I used to have a red plastic key switch on my winch (under the bonnet), but it let me down a couple of times and has now been removed.
FollowupID:
397371
Follow Up By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Thursday, Dec 15, 2005 at 07:05
Thursday, Dec 15, 2005 at 07:05
Thanks Roachie..... yep... I was gonna ask!!!
:-))
FollowupID:
397419
Reply By: Crackles - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 20:56
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 20:56
Brian, just prior to stall a winch is pulling 400+ amps making fusing impractical. (The copper cables would burn off long before a 400 amp CB would trip) As the power leads are fairly direct the chance of a short is unlikely. Double insulating the leads through any metal work with corogated split conduit is probably the best insurance. Fitting disconnect switches too have their problems as finding one rated at 400 amps is pretty unlikely. As Roachie mentioned, the red key switches (rated at 100amp) are useless under such loads. My winch is wired direct to the battery with the wingnut type terminals for quick disconnect following an accident.
Cheers Craig.............
AnswerID:
143896
Reply By: Martyn (WA) - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 22:00
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 22:00
Brian,
Mines straight off the battery, I have the five pin jobby Truckster is talking about. No overloads or fuses, burns out I've got a fire extingusher and good insurance. I've got what I believe is the best cabling for the job, welding cable, seems to work a treat hasn't given me any grief as yet. I had to tow my Nissan and camper up quite a steep
hill a while ago, my first real serious winching excersise, everything worked a treat, cables didn't get anywhere near as warm as the motor which got quite hot.
AnswerID:
143916
Reply By: Leroy - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 22:45
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 22:45
Like what others have said, no fuse or cct breaker either. Because of the very high current draw a cct breaker is impracticle. The best thing to do is ensure that all cables (+ve mainly) are not in a position where they can chafe sp? / wear the insulation on the cables hence shorting to the vehicles bodywork etc.
Leroy
AnswerID:
143924
Reply By: geocacher (djcache) - Thursday, Dec 15, 2005 at 00:45
Thursday, Dec 15, 2005 at 00:45
No circuit breaker on
mine. You couldn't do it. As said before here the current is way to high.
I have the 5 pin warn controller, but I've run additional wiring and can electrically "lock"
mine out of action on a missile switch on the dash, and have Winch IN/OUT control on the dash also.
Dave
AnswerID:
143943
Reply By: Utemad - Thursday, Dec 15, 2005 at 11:24
Thursday, Dec 15, 2005 at 11:24
I've got a circuit breaker on
mine. I think it is rated to 2 amps. Although my winch is hydraulic and that circuit breaker is only for the power for the control box :-)
AnswerID:
143978
Reply By: Jarrod - Thursday, Dec 15, 2005 at 18:04
Thursday, Dec 15, 2005 at 18:04
You can get a 1000 amp Keyswitch, 12 VDC, Our helicopter has one. It's got 10mm terminal poles and measures about 150mm ( 6") square. Too big for under my bonnet, - I have a pair of diagonal sidecutters in the glove box. If a have a front ender, I dont want a flamed out cruiser...
Jarrod.
AnswerID:
144056