Required Battery Rating for Electric Winch Use on 1997 Flagstaff Camper

Question:

I have a winch on my camper right now that is burning out my battery. It puts ot up and lowers it, but i have to use my truck battery . Do all winches use all baytery power like that. What winch can u recomend?

asked by: Jennifer M

Expert Reply:

A winch or any other powered device on your truck or a battery-powered trailer jack will have a specific maximum power draw at full load. Such devices pull more power when doing more work; they draw less power when lowering and draw more power when lifting or pulling weight. Usually the power requirement for any given item will be listed on its main information plate or sticker.

Once you know the maximum power requirement for the winch you can choose a matching power source that has the amperage capacity to enable you to get the full performance from the winch or jack. Often people will use a separate dedicated battery to power a winch or electric jack.

For any 12 volt winch installed on a vehicle or trailer, there are minimum electrical requirements. The vehicle must have at least a 60-amp alternator and a battery with at least 440 cold-cranking amps (some manufacturers recommend 660 cold-cranking amps). For example, with Bulldog Winch # BDW15008 a battery rated for 650-cold-cranking-amps is recommended

You may be able to find a winch that is more electrically efficient (one that uses less power to do the same work). If your winch is original to the 20-year-old camper it may be possible to replace it with a more modern unit that needs less power.

Please note that the 12V auxiliary power feed that is one of the circuits on a 7-way trailer socket does NOT have the amperage capacity for a powerful winch. A 7-way 12V circuit is typically rated for 40-amps only.

expert reply by: Adam R