Watts-wise, I calculated (P=IV) input watts at 100 amps at the winch to be 1082 watts with 10 gauge cable and 1126.1 watts with 8 gauge wiring. If the hookup cable had no resistance at all, 1200 watts would be avilable. Since identical motors have identical efficiencies, the 500 pounds difference between the A2000 and A2500 models remains elusive; maybe even non-existent!

As to the adequacy of the winches, the pull rating is specified at the bottom cable wrap on the spool. If any less cable is paid out, the pull is less, given the geometry as cable wrap increases the spool radius. Further, a well-stuck quad can stall even an honest 2500-pound winch (as reported on this Forum). Therefore, I recommend a ****** block for use when needed with any winch; effectively doubling extraction force. Also, as you point out, that 2500-pound maximum pull isn't available very long, drawing over 100 amps from, say, a 14 amp-hour battery; the ****** block halves stress on the winch motor.

Tree Farmer

 

Warn and Hitch-Hopper and one other company now make a mount that you can move your winch from the front to the back and with one electrical connection, be ready to pull. You can buy the plug and 2" receiver material from Northern Tool or Tractor Supply and fabone yourself if you can weld. But, it wiil give you the option of a front or rear pull. Hope that helps.

 

Just my thoughts...

According the Warns site, the A2000 at max pull is drawing 145amps. The A2500 is drawing 188amps. I am not 100% sure about the gauge of the wires or if the A2000 has any type of solenoid, but I would think that a normal rotary switch can not handle the load that the solenoid pack on the A2500 can handle. Both of the winches (not cables or other external parts) look to be identical on their site, so this would have me believe that the solenoid is allowing the increase in current.

Make sense???

Ride and ride often…

Schtick

 

You certainly make sense, Schtick; however, both the A2500 and the A2000 draw 145 amps at 2000 # pull. My guess is no higher pulls are reported for the A2000, although the winch is capable of more. The rotary switch is pretty robust; I'd expect it to handle a load approaching that of the solenoid's capacity, although the solenoid may indeed be rated for higher current service, as you suggest. In my calculations, I assumed the switch/solenoid would add no greater resistance than its equivalent length of connecting wire. A difference in resistances between the switch and the solenoid would certainly make a difference in pulling force, but I remain skeptical about a 25 % difference.

Tree Farmer

 

All these numbers have my head spinning. Anyway, I just thought I would point out a HUGE oversight here...the difference would be $60.00, not $50.00. Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

OOOPPPS, I should have used my fingers AND my toes! ANYWAY, ITS NOT THAT HUGE OF A OVERSIGHT, I've seen the A2500 winches for @ $400 dollars in catalogs and I was just trying to clue a fellow atv'er in on the good deals at atvpartsdepot!! If you plan on buying a winch Rubeman, you should check em out!

Ranch0rider
00 Rancher ES 4x4

 

Boots : Your choice on the winch..pretty much its a money issue. I got mine through cabellas (Warn 2000) $299.00 mounting bracket-$60.00 includes roller fairlead. Shipping was $11.95 no tax since it was an out of state transaction.
Larsons in Cambridge has the same setup for about $20.00 more + tax. And if you want they can mount it for you (extra $$$) But it's not a big deal to do it yourself...just take your time and plan ahead.
The ****** block is a pulley that you can anchor to a tree, via a tow strap or equivalent,run your winch cable through it and back to your machine. Hook it to a frame member and pull. You effectively double your pulling power of the winch and have less draw on your battery. Northern Hydraulcs in Mpls./Rogers has a 4000lb rated one for about $15.00, and have tow straps and clevises for sale also.Any place that sells tow equipment should have all the stuff you need to get set up for getting out of situations.
I see the ****** block kits for sale in ATV mags/websites for WAAAAY TOOOOO MUCH MONEY.
Hope this helps,feel free to email me if you have questions. I think cabellas may have goofed on the shipping charge also ..call to be sure.

By the way...EARTH TO TREEFARMER and Motorhead---the guy just wanted info on a winch decision. Not an egghead debate on Volts/amps/ohms/resistance/histeresis/farads/yada-yada-yada. Not that it wasn't interesting and all ,and I don't mean to criticize toooo much much.But PLEEZE!!!!!
A WINCH SHOULD BE THE FIRST MOD...found this out the hard way.

 

Go with a Rule winch. I bought a new Warn m12000 for my truck and was trying to get a deal on an atv winch too. Ivy R. Redding in Louisiana is one of the biggest Warn dealers around here. Mr Redding advised me against the Warn ATV winch. The Warn's have plastic gears in them that can and will strip with time. He showed me the gears after a good pull. TRASHED. He also showed me the repair parts, he buys them in lots of 50 because he repairs so many of them. The Warn 2000 and the Warn 2500 are the same winch with different controls. Mr. Redding sales the Rule 3500 now due to the amount of customers disappointed in the Warn. The Rule is all steel.

 

Just giving you a hard time. I have a Warn A2000 on the way. Got it off eBay for $240.00. Brand new in the box. Still has the shipping straps around it. I plan on getting the mount from atvgear.com. They sell the OS mount for $35.00.