How do I hook up power to electric winch?

maxumus

Cadet
Joined
May 15, 2008
Messages
9
I have not used or been around power winches on boat trailers and I am unsure how they hook to the 12v. Do you have to wire up to your battery. Can you use a "power point" style plug. I have seen adabpters for 7 point to lighter style powerpoint and didn't know if you could wire lighter type male end to winch and plug in where lights would plug in. Or is there to much juice pull on those wires.

Thanks.
 

Barnacle_Bill

Admiral
Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
6,469
Re: How do I hook up power to electric winch?

Those lighter type would burn up in a heatbeat. Too much current.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: How do I hook up power to electric winch?

you have to run a heavy pos and neg from the battery for them to work properly. i have a direct run for my electric jack stand also.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
15,417
Re: How do I hook up power to electric winch?

They make installation kits which include the cables and circuit breaker if you want to go that way. I opted instead to just use a jump box. The cables on my box are long enough that I just open the back hatch to the truck and connect the cables to the winch.

My jump box came with a cigarette lighter charger so I just plug it into the lighter outlet in the back of the truck and I?m ready to go the next time.
 

External Combustion

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
608
Re: How do I hook up power to electric winch?

I have set several up using the sockets available at the local aircraft shop. The sockets are used to plug in "GPU's" but are a glorified battery cable port. I run welding cable from the batteries to the socket. You would also need wire from the matching socket to the winch. Another socket with wire and jumper cable ends will allow you to quickly jump start your vehicle or another .

The nice thing about the socket arraingement is that you can stow the cables and keep them from walking away. The last plug and socket set I bought was around $25. Just drive up to a local airport hanger that does maintenance on light planes or look up "Fixed Base Operator" in your phone book and describe what you want.

This reminds me that I have a new to me truck that I need to do also!
 
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