question about electric winch battery

[TwoBallScrewBall]

I have an idea but want to run it by some of you. <br /><br />I have an electric winch I was given for free. I have a minivan and a pickup that I use to trailer the boat. I use the minivan for the local ramp since it's easier to back my 8'2" wide trailer up my 100 foot walled-in 8'6" driveway (fun!) and use the pickup for longer hauls. Instead of wiring both vehicles for the winch, I want to install a battery box on the tongue of the trailer and just use a battery on the trailer for the winch. Is this OK? I'd keep it on a battery tender or a small charger to keep it topped off. <br /><br />Any cons to doing this?

 

[ThomWV]

Re: question about electric winch battery

If you wanted to you could keep the battery charged off the tail light circuit to the trailer too.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: question about electric winch battery

Other than the cost of the battery and one more thing to be stolen I say its fine. I mounted my battery on my car hauler for its winch. I then used 10 gauge wire from the trucks battery back to the trailer with a disconnect so it would charge while going down the road.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: question about electric winch battery

Good ideas on charging. Unfortunately (for the battery, not for me) the ramp is literally a 3 minute drive so it wouldn't charge well I don't think. <br /><br />I have the battery already so it's not an expense until it dies and needs to be replaced. <br /><br />I think I'm going to buy a small lockable metal toolbox that can hold the battery, that way it'll be that much less likely to be stolen. Effort is a thief's enemy. <br /><br />Thanks guys!

 

[rwidman]

Re: question about electric winch battery

Originally posted by Steve Huminski:<br /> I think I'm going to buy a small lockable metal toolbox that can hold the battery,

Metal is not the best choice to hold a battery unles you install a plastic battery box inside it. The acid from the battery will corrode the box. Also, be sure the box is ventilated.<br /><br />Other than that, it sounds like a good idea. You'll save the cost of wiring and have less voltage drop.

 

[snowshoe]

Re: question about electric winch battery

Your idea of putting the battery on the trailer tongue is a good one and I would also use the plastic battery box inside the locking metal one. The neighbor at the lake has his winch wired to the battery (in a plastic battery box) on the trailer tongue and it works like a charm. It made a neat installation.