Powering a hitch-mounted 12000 lb winch on the RR?

[rocsteady]

I have a winch and carrier to work in the hitch to prepare for my very occasional, so far, off-roading, but didn't think about getting power to it. I wouldn't think much more than some lights would run off of the pre-wired location at the left side of the bed? So then I would imagine for my non-permanent setup, mounting a battery tray in the bed is going to be the logical solution and run a second battery?

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[embedded rock]

For that set up, a battery in the bed keeps it all portable. Probably a 100ah battery. Charge the battery at the house. If you have a tonneau cover, topper, or bed rack you could add a solar panel.

My former Tacoma. Solar panel for the 100ah battery that powered a 1k inverter.

 

[ADVNTURR]

While you can put a battery in the bed, but now you need a mount and to drill into your bed, the more typical setup for a quick-mount winch setup like this is to run a power setup to the back for it. An example is this kit from Rough Country that includes proper gage wiring, connectors, and wiring for both winch and truck side.

 

[embedded rock]

For my use, the aux battery was strapped down in the bed--not bolted.

My portable battery, self-made box, and the solar controller attached.

Plenty of possibilities out there.

 

[rocsteady]

I decided to go with the winch power setup, get power from the existing battery. I ordered from RoughCountry and will see how installation goes, shouldn't be terribley difficult I wouldn't imagine.

 

[John E Davies]

I decided to go with the winch power setup, get power from the existing battery. I ordered from RoughCountry and will see how installation goes, shouldn't be terribley difficult I wouldn't imagine.

Be sure to add a proper fuse at the battery connection, the rating depends on the winch starting amperage, that should be listed on the info sheet for it. A Blue Sea terminal fuse block will work great, or an inline mega fuse in a holder. Don’t cheap out here, use quality parts, you don’t want a failure, and especially you do not want an unfused 2 AWG hot wire running under your truck!

Here is the terminal fuse block I added for an air compressor hookup, I used 120 amp Anderson connectors in 6 AWG welding cable, and a 125 amp square fuse for protection. The compressor draws 90 amps at startup, 50 amps when running.

The Rough country instructions mention an electrical coupling, but they don’t show a picture of it, I would like to see it. There is no reliable way to connect massive cables without proper (professionally) crimped terminals.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[rocsteady]

Be sure to add a proper fuse at the battery connection, the rating depends on the winch starting amperage, that should be listed on the info sheet for it. A Blue Sea terminal fuse block will work great, or an inline mega fuse in a holder. Don’t cheap out here, use quality parts, you don’t want a failure, and especially you do not want an unfused 2 AWG hot wire running under your truck!

Here is the terminal fuse block I added for an air compressor hookup, I used 120 amp Anderson connectors in 6 AWG welding cable, and a 125 amp square fuse for protection. The compressor draws 90 amps at startup, 50 amps when running.

John

Thank you for this. I wouldn't have thought about it otherwise. -Dave

 

[rocsteady]

Be sure to add a proper fuse at the battery connection, the rating depends on the winch starting amperage, that should be listed on the info sheet for it. A Blue Sea terminal fuse block will work great, or an inline mega fuse in a holder. Don’t cheap out here, use quality parts, you don’t want a failure, and especially you do not want an unfused 2 AWG hot wire running under your truck!

Here is the terminal fuse block I added for an air compressor hookup, I used 120 amp Anderson connectors in 6 AWG welding cable, and a 125 amp square fuse for protection. The compressor draws 90 amps at startup, 50 amps when running.

The Rough country instructions mention an electrical coupling, but they don’t show a picture of it, I would like to see it. There is no reliable way to connect massive cables without proper (professionally) crimped terminals.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

So is your positive side getting power through the post I have circled here? Then through your added fuse block?

 

[rocsteady]

While you can put a battery in the bed, but now you need a mount and to drill into your bed, the more typical setup for a quick-mount winch setup like this is to run a power setup to the back for it. An example is this kit from Rough Country that includes proper gage wiring, connectors, and wiring for both winch and truck side.

I did use the Rough Country cables you suggested. Thank you. Put it in today. What a slippery mess with the fluid film service I just had done. Now I just need to be sure where to hook the positive cable to the battery and I'm ready to go. There's a lot going on at the positive side of the battery already?

 

[John E Davies]

So is your positive side getting power through the post I have circled here? Then through your added fuse block?

Yes, you have to trim away some of the black plastic “tray” to provide clearance, and also trim the red flip down cover, unless you decide to remove that entirely. It does pop off its hinges easily if you want to work on it at your bench.

I am not 100% happy with this solution, but it is by far the cheapest and simplest IMHO.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[rocsteady]

Got it out and hooked up today. So happy it actually worked! Really appreciate the input from you guys.

 

[rocsteady]

Added the cutoff switch that came with the Badlands winch. Couple of zip ties for now, until I see what kind and where I'll install catch can for oil separator. So as not to break with tradition and have it go smoothly, I cleverly started out the simple install by knocking the bottom plate of the switch down into a gap just behind the front headlight where it neither fell to the bottom/skid plate area, nor was reachable, even with my little girly forearms allowing me to get into most tight spots. Last picture is the highly technical "grabby thingy for stuff that's fallen into small spaces" tool (straightened coat hanger with small piece of rolled up gorilla tape hooked on the end). Actually only cost me a couple extra minutes and a very small cloud of mildly offensive obscenities, which I'll take as a win.

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