Winch Battery setup

I'm picking out the winch/bumper mount and a winch but would like to see some separate battery mounts just for the winch.

If you have a dedicated winch battery setup could you please post pics and give a little detail of your setup?

 

Are you asking to see a dual battery system or just how people hooked up the winch. Most people just run it to the terminals, some people add a breaker switch, some use fuse blocks.

 

I replaced the stock battery with a Northstar 900 CCA 27F battery. Run the winch through a BlueSeas 600 amp switch.

 

I used a red top Ultima battery and ran my winch cables directly to the extra posts on the battery. Had the battery in the truck for 5 years and it was still going strong when I traded my truck in. I put all my accessories on a separate circuit (S-POD) that was solenoid protected so that nothing would drain my battery by accident

 

FYI don't use the spare posts for a winch. They are not made for that demand. They will fail inside the battery. Top posts only for winches.

Some will say they have had a winch on the front terminals for years with no problems, but when you do eventually load the winch near its max capacity... that's when it happens.

 

Did not know that. I had used my winch a bunch and never had a problem, but that is not to say I would not have. Thanks for the advise

 

Yeah, I'd like to see some dual battery systems but I am interested in ways of wiring up a winch without draining the main battery. Do dual systems need a higher amp alternator to be installed or is the Tacoma's charging system good enough?

What my concern is; adding an high amp draw winch, does the charging system need upgrades or is a dual setup better?

 

do they make a 4 post battery for a winch?

 

rnish, can you explain how the amp switch works and is it safer to run like your setup shown? can you explain it like I'm a 6 yr old

 

found this thread

dual-battery-setups-lets-see-them-multiple-batteries-thread.295653

 

The short answer is the manual switch provides an relatively fast, safe, economic and convenient way to disconnect the winch from the battery. Some people use a breaker/switch however I couldn’t find a marine breaker above 100-150 amps. A winch can draw 300-400 amps on startup, (less running continuous). There are people who report issues with the breaker opening when using a winch (YMMV).

 

@Titus94

 

So this pic shows that you have power disconnected completely from the winch; correct?

And when you need the winch you switch it to 3 O'clock?

 

Yes. Winch is totally isolated. Four position switch. The switch allows: OFF (Aux & winch), Auxiliary (lights), Winch & Aux, and Winch.

 

I picked up a Blue Sea 600 amp switch as well but I only got the PN 3000 one, basically just on and off. My winch max amps can be as high as 400amps (warn zeon 10S). My first 3D printed mount for the switch wasn't correct so I've got to modify it and reprint before I install. This way I can keep the power off the winch until I get to the trail head and then turn it on. In the extremely unlikely situation my winch doesn't stop or I somehow chafe one of the wires, my hope is I can open the breaker before my truck is damaged too much. Just a safety switch that makes me feel a little better...

And for the battery, most will argue it's recommended to run the winch off the main battery. I plan to upgrade my battery eventually and will just stick to one. I'm not running any other add ons. YMMV.