winch battery

Because, if I was ever unfortunate enough to drain the (Odyssey) winch battery, I still have the engine battery to start the vehicle... as the split charge system separates the batteries under load...

If I just ran one battery there is a danger of completely running out of power... been there, done that... battery depleated and completely stuck if the engine stalls...

I have also fitted a heavy gauge cable via a cutoff switch that I can - if ever needed - still use alternator assisted power to run the winch(es) though... i.e. it links the two batteries manually and is of sufficient gauge to take a winching load...

Bits4Vits wrote: Because, if I was ever unfortunate enough to drain the (Odyssey) winch battery, I still have the engine battery to start the vehicle... as the split charge system separates the batteries under load...

If I just ran one battery there is a danger of completely running out of power... been there, done that... battery depleated and completely stuck if the engine stalls...

I have also fitted a heavy gauge cable via a cutoff switch that I can - if ever needed - still use alternator assisted power to run the winch(es) though... i.e. it links the two batteries manually and is of sufficient gauge to take a winching load...

Do you have a lot of equipment running that needs power?
Still don't see the need for it. The Odyssey battery still has plenty of power to crank the engine even when under 50% capacity.

I'll build it my way, thanks...

Bits4Vits wrote: I'll build it my way, thanks...

No problem

I just like to keep things a simple as possible

Bits4Vits, sounds like you have a similar set up to me.

I totally agree that it's better to have a second battery so that if you drain a battery, you can still start the bloody car afterwards. Would be embarrassing winching through a crazy obstacle and not being able to continue, might make for an awkward road side assistance call to...

Redundancy. Gotta love it.

jtayl153 wrote: Bits4Vits, sounds like you have a similar set up to me.

I totally agree that it's better to have a second battery so that if you drain a battery, you can still start the bloody car afterwards. Would be embarrassing winching through a crazy obstacle and not being able to continue, might make for an awkward road side assistance call to...

Redundancy. Gotta love it.

Much better to just install 2 similar batteries in parallel. Then you have a lot more power for the winch, and still plenty of power to crank the engine, if it stalls.