Portable Winch Current Draw

[James M]

I'm in the process of setting up a portable 230v winch using a generator, and I came across this, it's discussion of 12v/24v winches but it shows the huge current a vehicle mounted winch can draw when under full load which is why I won't use one for log pulling.

Moral - small 12v winches will fry your wiring if you ask them to do too much. Never mind that they claim to pull 12000 lbs! Your engine won't be able to rev fast enough to supply the battery with the Amps needed and wiring probably won't cope!.

[woodbodger]

I have to say that I worried about using mine but then decided sod it these are tools to be used and have absolutely no problem. I always have the quad running when I am using the winch and inevitably have it ticking over whilst I am organising things and I use it to it's full capacity with no problems whatsoever.

[James M]

Sorry it helps if I post the link !

http://www.markerink.org/WJM/HTML/warn_24v.htm

Note the bit where the winch they use draws 190 Amps pulling 2000lbs. A heavy duty car battery is normally rated about 60-70 Ah.

500lbs might pull down 25-30 Amps.

190 could fry the wiring if you didn't run it direct from the battery. The key point is ask about the Amps before you get a 12v winch to run off you car - the big ones will kill it.

I've burnt out more than one jerry rigged earth wire when I've been working on old cars.

[RichardKing]

Why dont you get a hand winch ?

I picked up a 5 tonne pull Tirfor on Ebay for £120-

It could pull a Landrover up a vertical cliff

[James M]

I have a come along, but I have 60 x 12ft x 10 inch logs to move up a 30 degree slope :-(

[Toby Allen]

Electric vehicle mounted winches are mainly for self/other recovery.

If you want to work your winch all day get a pto or hydraulic one, unlesss you've got a tractor to mount a big one on.

Incidently I've got a very usefull landrover capstan winch for sale at the moment (nudge,nudge....)

[James M]

Saw it on your web site Toby, its not the type of thing I'm after as I can't get a vehicle into most of the woods.

Nice to see I'm not the only one who brings their dinner up in a Tescos carrier bag.

J

[Toby Allen]

Have you seen the portable winches that run off a chainsaw? I also saw a potable capstain on ebay recently.

I dont shop at tesco anymore, asda is where its at now.

[James M]

A Lewis winch? I'd love one, but not at £800 a pop!