How To Add Quick Disconnect Harness for Electric Boat Winch

Question:

I have a portable 2000lb marine winch. that has cables with battery connectors to connect to battery. I would like to change the battery clamps to a portable harness so someone beside myself can use the winch using the wiring harness. but maybe be able to plug in to a trailer connector. Ive looked at your Hopkins 47675 Endurance Flex-Coil 7 RV to 6 Pole Round Adapter. but understand the 12v socket cable is not big enough to handle the winch. do they make a 12v socket with 12awg or lower to handle the winch. it does recommend 50a inline breaker of some kind. this winch probably wont be used that much. and if Bro n Law were to borrow it. how can I make a universal adapter. i know running a new 10awg wire from battery w a fuse is best. but are there vehicle wires all ready there big enough to handle the winch. he has a 7pin and i have both 7 and 4 on my vehicle. both set up for pulling a utility trailer. yes the cables with their clamps to hook on battery are just fine. I just thot I could change it so I have a more universal adapter on back of vehicle than running all the way to the front. hope this make some since. thanks for your help

asked by: Darrell M

Expert Reply:

I may have a solution for you, but there's not going to be a wiring harness that can be used that will provide you with the power you're going to need to pull from the battery to power the winch.

Your best bet might be to create some sort of quick disconnect for each of the batteries that you can either hook up when needed, or leave attached to the vehicles. This would require cutting off the battery clamp ends of your winch and putting quick disconnects like the Dutton-Lainson Electrical Quick Connect for DC StrongArm SA Series and TW9000 Electric Winches # DL24085. Once you've got that, you can add a set of the Bulldog Winch Rear Wiring Kit - Quick Connect to Terminal End - 2 Gauge - 24' Long # BDW20207 to connect to the vehicle.

You could switch off the main connector between batteries when you need to use it, and this would be the best way to power your winch directly from the trailer battery.

expert reply by: Erik B