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Undiplomatic Just got MTs
Joined: 10 May 2010 Odometer: 483
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 6:42 pm Post subject: Wiring a winch at the rear
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I've just measured it will take approx 4.25m of wire to reach the rear winch from the battery. Using a cable size calculator (link below) it says I need 95 sq mm wire in order to get 190 amp (full winch load) on 12V with 3% voltage loss. That's SPAM!
http://www.solar-wind.co.uk/cable-sizing-DC-cables.html
Where do I buy SPAM wire? Someone mention fork lift truck stores!
How SPAM can I practically use? Ie whats the thickest guage or sq mm? It must get too stiff and stupid at some point?
The Superwinch came with 6 awg wire, in a 3m length, which according to the calculator results in big voltage loss. Maybe these calculators are too conservative?
The winch instructions say that the solenoid needs to be as close to the battery as possible. Why? If I mound the solenoid near the winch then it means I can take negative from the chassis and save wire. But maybe the chassis isn't good enough for such SPAM currents?
Also curious that the winch states 190Amp at full load but is fitted with two 50 Amp fuses in parallel.
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RichardD Marshall
Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Odometer: 22856 Location: State of Confusion
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 11:09 pm Post subject:
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I've wired in some big winches and generally used 55mm2 wire. On a long run, 10 or 15 feet I used 75mm.
Use 55mm welding wire which is softer and better conducting and use big solder and crimp on terminals and you will be fine. Don't use the chassis, wire direct to the -ve on the battery with as few connections as possible to minimise losses.
You are right to use big stuff, I've many a winch under perform due to poor wiring but there's no need to go mad
__________________________________ Poking the Grim Reaper with a stick then running away. The devil made me do it but God said it was okay with him. |
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