Winch question

[nate6472]

I am re- building a 110 and will have receiver hitch points at front and rear for a moveable winch. I will have a dual battery setup, both will be under the front seats. My question is what gauge of wire would be best to run to the front and rear, probably 8' of wire each way? Thanks in advance.

[yorker]

What winch will you be using?

some discussion here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ch-Wiring-Size

[badvibes]

More good discussion/pics/etc here.....

http://siteground237.com/~gunsandr/s...ing-up-a-winch

[antichrist]

It really depends on the amp draw of the winch.
For the most power and longest motor life you want under 0.5v volt drop between the battery and winch.

[Rat Patrol]

Go down to the local 4x4 shop and buy the Warn wires....winch specific. I have the same set up on my 88, for what its worth.

[antichrist]

Go down to the local 4x4 shop and buy the Warn wires....winch specific. I have the same set up on my 88, for what its worth.

My experience has been that typical OEM supply cables are borderline for a typical winch install (permanent front bumper mount with the battery in the engine compartment).
For anything longer they are inadequate.

The only way to properly size cables (without wasting money on gross overkill or risking fire) is to know:

1. system voltage
2. amp draw
3. distance of wire run

This applies to all electrical loads.
Anything else it pure guesswork.