Winch Battery

Hey Everyone,

I'm wiring in a second battery for my winch and need help with battery suggestions. There is a lot of information on battery holders and wiring systems here, but not much about what people are actually using for a second battery. I'm not running anything else off the second battery at this point except for the winch. From the wiring standpoint, I went with the National Luna system for several reasons -

1. 85amp continuous output
2. 400amp maximum output
3. comes with the reset fuse and main fuse
4. allows me to run different batteries with the solenoid setup

I'm looking for suggestions for an affordable second battery, deep cycle. The Optima yellow tops are nice, but a little on the spendy side.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
Cole

 

I'd connect your winch to the primary battery, not the secondary one

 

That's the plan, but still need to purchase the second battery, thoughts on battery?

 

They should be match for ideal charging. I'd go with a yellow top set or odyssey batteries.

 

The Yellow Optimas are super nice. If you try to go cheaper make sure its AGM.

 

Why do you recommend this? I'm just curious. I don't plan to go to 2 batteries any time soon and have been winching on my stock battery for a couple years. The battery is fading and will need replacing this summer, but I digress...

I would think you'd want the primary battery for primary functions and anything else on the secondary to preserve the one that starts the truck.

 

Sure, a couple reasons:

1 - the dual battery solenoid is likely not size to handle the FLA of the winch.
2 - allow the alternator to power the winch along with the main battery
3- it will hold the auxiliary battery in reserve for jump-starting. That becomes important if you stall the motor after winching without allowing the main battery to recharge.

 

The solenoid on the Luna system can handle 400amps which the Engo winch at full load tops at 500amps. Before getting close to full load it would make more sense to use a snatch block to reduce winch loading anyways. And thinking this through logistically, it actually makes more sense to me to run the winch on the second battery with my particular system. I'm not an expert but I do like a good discussion on the subject...anyways...back to battery suggestions?

...although thinking about it even more, I think the Luna system allows you to bypass the solenoid and go full power...but then again, you risk your starter battery...I'm clearly not the expert here

 

I totally agree. Mechanical advantage saves amps. I have an 8k pound winch, but carry lots of cable for extensions and 3 heavy duty pulleys for mechanical advantage/ directional pull. Lots of tree straps too.