Winch wiring

Hi all,

I've got a winch to go on my 90. It's all fitted now but just needs wiring up. The problem is that I'm about a metre short of the battery. The positive isn't an issue as I'm putting an isolator in the circuit however the earth needs to be in one length. It reached the starter earth quite happily which has an even more substantial cable fitted but I've been told it has to go directly to the battery for reasons I don't know why. What do you think I should do:

A) put it onto the starter earth

B) Try and join a short length of heavy cable onto the end of the earth and route it to the battery

C) Make a full cable up from scratch

Thanks

Albert

An earth made of a single cable from winch direct to battery just works. Don't forget that a winch motor can pull serious amps under load and any issues with that earth path will be found quickly, and perhaps with smoke and fire!

I used mine with the earth direct to chassis for years and eventually after time went direct to the battery.

You can do whatever you like thinking it wont matter I wont use it that hard, then one wet sub zero day miles from the road you will think ****e I wish i had spent that extra 20 quid!
Dont forget the original cable swill be old and corroded and were originally designed for short periods of high amp draw not sustained usage.

Weve all done it on different things, but as weve got older most learn corner cutting just doesnt pay if you are keeping the car.

lynall said:

You can do whatever you like thinking it wont matter I wont use it that hard, then one wet sub zero day miles from the road you will think ****e I wish i had spent that extra 20 quid!
Dont forget the original cable swill be old and corroded and were originally designed for short periods of high amp draw not sustained usage.

Weve all done it on different things, but as weve got older most learn corner cutting just doesnt pay if you are keeping the car.

Click to expand...

thats made me do mine to battery,,, do it right do it once

Remember that every joint or connection is a source of heat and resistance, so use a full length of cable.

Just to throw a spanner in the works I agree full length to the battery is best.

But I've seen winches supplied with and installed with big 450 amp Anderson plugs.

Andersons have a huge contact area, which makes them so useful!

I thought as much, it's all new heavy duty cabling anyway but I'll get a load of fresh cable ready and heavier than what's already on the winch as it seems a little on the thin side. I've got all the proper crimps, crimpers etc for heavy cable so it'll be a proper job.

Thanks

Albert

I find that welding cable is best, so contact your local welding equipment suppliers for a quote .

It's also very good for making up jump leads.