Winch battery question

[Cael528]

Hey guys, I drive a 2023 jeep wrangler 4xE and was thinking about adding a winch soon. Would you guys recommend getting an auxiliary battery to run the winch on? I already have a light bar so that draws from my main battery. Lmk what you guys think. Thanks!

 

[paul87250]

I would definitely run the winch off the starter battery as the current draw is high and the alternator charges it directly.

 

[MCL]

Chances are you won't have your light bar on and if it happens that you do, shut it off. Dual batteries sure, but not auxilliary. 87250 is correct. You need the alternator charging.

 

[freak4life]

Hey guys, I drive a 2023 jeep wrangler 4xE and was thinking about adding a winch soon. Would you guys recommend getting an auxiliary battery to run the winch on? I already have a light bar so that draws from my main battery. Lmk what you guys think. Thanks!

What Paul said is correct, you will want your rig running if you are winching. That being said I have a dual battery set-up, Genesis, and it isolates the starter battery from all my auxiliary lighting and winch, it also charges both batteries directly from the alternator. There are a lot of options for you. Most winches also have a battery monitoring system available to cover your winching.

 

[MidOH]

[In B4:

"Hook it to the hybrid battery!"]

 

[Alanymarce]

As others note - you will want to have your engine running when you are winching. In terms of running out of battery - unless you are winching for several hours you will not have a problem with the standard (single) battery.

 

[MOAK]

My winch is run off of the auxillary battery, which is charged by the alternator, same as the starter battery. In fact, when I’m winching with the engine running, I’m drawing from both batteries unless I manually isolate them. Why? Worst case scenario, - truck won’t start, water rising, gotta winch out, turn the switch, isolate the batttries, the starter battery will not be drawn from - fix truck, start up and go. Otherwise if you’re drawing from the starter battery, you’re toast. Good luck

 

[Alanymarce]

My winch is run off of the auxillary battery, which is charged by the alternator, same as the starter battery. In fact, when I’m winching with the engine running, I’m drawing from both batteries unless I manually isolate them. Why? Worst case scenario, - truck won’t start, water rising, gotta winch out, turn the switch, isolate the batttries, the starter battery will not be drawn from - fix truck, start up and go. Otherwise if you’re drawing from the starter battery, you’re toast. Good luck

Good point - it had not occurred to me. My winching experience is winching others out and I haven;t had to winch myself yet : )

 

[MOAK]

Good point - it had not occurred to me. My winching experience is winching others out and I haven;t had to winch myself yet : )

Oddly enough, I've ever only had to winch myself once in all our travels. Gooey mud, uphill narrow track, lots of trees. Wasn't stuck, we could have waited it out for the sun to dry it up, but instead, I hooked up and made it up without spinning a tire.

 

[jimmyjamson]

Hey guys, I drive a 2023 jeep wrangler 4xE and was thinking about adding a winch soon. Would you guys recommend getting an auxiliary battery to run the winch on? I already have a light bar so that draws from my main battery explore. Lmk what you guys think. Thanks!

Yes, adding an auxiliary battery to run the winch on your Jeep Wrangler 4xE is recommended, especially if you're already drawing power from your main battery for a light bar. This will help ensure that you have dedicated power for the winch without putting too much strain on your main battery or risking draining it during winching operations.

 

[Dave in AZ]

Hey guys, I drive a 2023 jeep wrangler 4xE and was thinking about adding a winch soon. Would you guys recommend getting an auxiliary battery to run the winch on? I already have a light bar so that draws from my main battery. Lmk what you guys think. Thanks!

@jimmyjamson

I think your question, and thus Jimmy's answer, are confusing because imprecise use of terms.
"Auxiliary battery"... is that a 2nd battery in parallel with start battery? Or is that a house battery system that is isolated for camping loads? Etc.

Here is what is actually recommended, many many videos and in fact at the Overland Expo West seminars this month:
1. Always run your winch off your Alternator + start battery system! Not a 2nd house system.
2. When winching, always run the alternator to help supply the big amp draw from start battery system.
3. If you want to increase the capacity of your start battery (+ alternator) system, you can add another battery to it in parallel; or you can change starter battery to a larger battery. Both have the same effect.
4. Any additional battery system, often called a House Battery, a 2nd Battery system, a Camper battery, should NOT BE USED for winching. These systems are usually separated from alternator system via an isolator, or nowadays via a dc to dc charger--this allows 20-40A charging but keeps that 2nd system from draining start system with engine off.

Anyways, just wanted to help clarify so you are setting up the correct "Auxiliary battery " type, one parallel and hard wired to start battery.

 

[MOAK]

@jimmyjamson

I think your question, and thus Jimmy's answer, are confusing because imprecise use of terms.
"Auxiliary battery"... is that a 2nd battery in parallel with start battery? Or is that a house battery system that is isolated for camping loads? Etc.

Here is what is actually recommended, many many videos and in fact at the Overland Expo West seminars this month:
1. Always run your winch off your Alternator + start battery system! Not a 2nd house system.
2. When winching, always run the alternator to help supply the big amp draw from start battery system.
3. If you want to increase the capacity of your start battery (+ alternator) system, you can add another battery to it in parallel; or you can change starter battery to a larger battery. Both have the same effect.
4. Any additional battery system, often called a House Battery, a 2nd Battery system, a Camper battery, should NOT BE USED for winching. These systems are usually separated from alternator system via an isolator, or nowadays via a dc to dc charger--this allows 20-40A charging but keeps that 2nd system from draining start system with engine off.

Anyways, just wanted to help clarify so you are setting up the correct "Auxiliary battery " type, one parallel and hard wired to start battery.

Then, ( and I'm wide open to learning new things ) what the "experts" are saying is that it is not recommended to have a second battery play both roles, both house and auxiliary? With a very simple switch to connect (auxiliary) and disconnect (house)? Running two high quality AGMs? no need for all that extra expense. AGMs enjoy being charged at 13.5 volts, which a healthy alternator will supply. They enjoy 14.5 on occasion and a solar panel and inexpensive controller supplies that.

However, if you are running lithium as house batteries, then yes, by all means get a dc-dc charger and build a system that keeps them completely isolated from the starter battery, via dc-dc.

 

[Dave in AZ]

Then, ( and I'm wide open to learning new things ) what the "experts" are saying is that it is not recommended to have a second battery play both roles, both house and auxiliary? With a very simple switch to connect (auxiliary) and disconnect (house)?

No, I didn't say that, you added the "simple switch to connect" in. Which just FURTHER CONFUSES what is meant by "Auxiliary battery ". What I said, run your winch from your alternator/start battery system. With alternator running.

If you have a parallel second or aux battery wired into that start system, fine--that works as intended, whether you happen to have some isolator switch installed or not, and whether you happen to sometimes disconnect your aux battery from your starter system, via that switch, and run other house loads. When you wire the winch, it needs to be wired to the start battery + alternator system. Do whatever you like with a 2nd battery... wired in parallel to help power winch when needed is great. If for some reason you connected your winch to that 2nd battery, then you need to have to isolator switch closed so alternator current can flow to the winch also to aid the load... which means it's all one starter system when winching.

Hope I explained that ok? The main thing, set it up so running alternator can help power the winch load.

 

[MOAK]

My point being, a second battery can and has been used as both an auxillary battery and a house battery. I’ve been doing it that way for 25 plus years. In the beginning old fashioned lead acid, lately AGMs. The OP asked if he should add an auxillary battery. Yes, hook your winch up to that battery, install an isolator switch to protect the starter battery in case you need to pull a bit with the engine not running. Simple. Later, as your house gear needs demand, use the auxillary battery as a house battery. It’s a very simple system and your starter battery is always protected with the turn of a switch. I understand perfectly what you are saying, I just disagree. Don’t get me started on the expo guys, they are beholden to manufactures of a lot of products that the typical weekend warriors will never utilize. I’m currently specing out an electrical system that retails for well over $6,000 for a flatbed camper for full time overlanding. There isn’t a single thing in that system that I’d recommend to the weekender or part timer that just wants to power his fridge, run a water pump, charge a couple of phones or camera batteries. We can agree to disagree. Just have fun & be good!

 

[smritte]

If for some reason you connected your winch to that 2nd battery, then you need to have to isolator switch closed so alternator current can flow to the winch also to aid the load... which means it's all one starter system when winching.

This is how I've always wired them. I'm wired to my second battery which also powers my fridge....ect. I don't run a deep cycle battery. My alternator is joined by a 250 amp solenoid with the alternator putting out 150 at idle. Most alternators put out very little at idle and with the average winch drawing well over 150 amp's, the alternator helps very little unless you run a hairpin design. Fortunately these are becoming more common in new vehicles.

I agree with you trying to filter the terminology a bit but I would have also added in cranking battery vs deep cycle (you did mention "camper battery"). People tend to be pushed towards deep cycle as an auxiliary battery which is proper for most. At that point hooking your winch to it isn't healthy for the battery. Running a DC-DC converter to the auxiliary battery and tying the winch to it would only be made worse by running a deep cycle.

I'm not talking down to you or looking for a debate. I've read quite a few of your posts over the years and consider you a subject matter expert when it comes to these things. This is just my OCD kicking in.

@MOAK I agree with ". Don’t get me started on the expo guys, they are beholden to manufactures of a lot of products that the typical weekend warriors will never utilize." completely. Most of the people in my group get to hear me complain about that.
I'm trying to figure out how your spending that much money on your electrical system. Damn, you need to look for some discounts there.

OK, I think I've derailed this thread enough.

 

[danwyandt]

This is how I've always wired them. I'm wired to my second battery which also powers my fridge....ect. I don't run a deep cycle battery. My alternator is joined by a 250 amp solenoid with the alternator putting out 150 at idle. Most alternators put out very little at idle and with the average winch drawing well over 150 amp's, the alternator helps very little unless you run a hairpin design. Fortunately these are becoming more common in new vehicles.

I agree with you trying to filter the terminology a bit but I would have also added in cranking battery vs deep cycle (you did mention "camper battery"). People tend to be pushed towards deep cycle as an auxiliary battery which is proper for most. At that point hooking your winch to it isn't healthy for the battery. Running a DC-DC converter to the auxiliary battery and tying the winch to it would only be made worse by running a deep cycle.

I'm not talking down to you or looking for a debate. I've read quite a few of your posts over the years and consider you a subject matter expert when it comes to these things. This is just my OCD kicking in.

@MOAK I agree with ". Don’t get me started on the expo guys, they are beholden to manufactures of a lot of products that the typical weekend warriors will never utilize." completely. Most of the people in my group get to hear me complain about that.
I'm trying to figure out how your spending that much money on your electrical system. Damn, you need to look for some discounts there.

OK, I think I've derailed this thread enough.

A full Redarc system starts at $3,500. Then add tank sensors, fuses, etc. Now you can add some batteries :)

 

[smritte]

A full Redarc system starts at $3,500

Wow.

 

[MOAK]

Ya, that, sine wave inverter, 300 watts of solar, dc-dc management, and 3 135ah Dakota lithiums. I about choked on the price, then add starlink, etc etc. gonna be home for about 5 years, more if we stay slim & healthy. and avoiding full hookup sites. I’ve priced all the separate components and 4WC is basically building it all in/on at no cost.

 

[freak4life]

Ya, that, sine wave inverter, 300 watts of solar, dc-dc management, and 3 135ah Dakota lithiums. I about choked on the price, then add starlink, etc etc. gonna be home for about 5 years, more if we stay slim & healthy. and avoiding full hookup sites. I’ve priced all the separate components and 4WC is basically building it all in/on at no cost.

I have a similar setup, RedArc M-30 with two 100AH Battle-Born Life-po’s in the back. A 2ga cable runs from under the hood to the rear, Anderson connector wired to the under-carriage in a water-proof port for the solar hookup. Two AGM batteries under the hood inside a Genesis dual battery setup. Winch tied to the secondary AGM with a GMC diode in the alternator’s fuse to fool the 4Runner’s alternator into outputting 14+/- volts.