Glenlivet and Starky,

Before this gets out of hand. Do not turn this thread into a match of words between you two. Take that off the forum.

Dan-ATV Connection Forum Moderator

 

Don't worry Rescudiver, I don't pay much attention to Glenlivet. Also, I edited my post so as not to offend anybody.

Nubee, keep you hands away from the cable wile winching a load. Guiding the cable in by hand with no load is ok. Be sure and always wear gloves, the frayed wires will cut you like a razor blade

 

Edited my own post to be nicer. We all play nice. We good kids.

 

You should always let out as much cable as you can when winching because this is when your winch has the most pulling capacity.
The more wraps on the drum the higher the gear ratio and therefore the harder your winch has to work to move the same load.

 

Thanks to all for the replies. I've got another stupid question about the winche's operation that's a bit more technical.
Does the winches operation effect the load on the ATV's engine at all? If not, is there any advantage to having the ATV running when the winch is operating? I know that one is suppose to wire the winch so that it can only run if the ATV is turned on, but I didn't feel like hacking through a wiring harness in search of a power wire (still can't believe that the dealer couldn't tell me what color wire to be looking for, and that I should puncture the insulation of wires until I found one with power when the key was turned) so I direct wired to the battery. When I run the winch it doesn't seem to place any load on the engine at all.
Again, thanks for the replies. I had read a suggestion by a fellow that uses a cigarette lighter adapter for the power wire, so when he needs to use the winch he brings out his adapter and plugs into the aux power doo hicky - pretty good idea that I think I'll incorporate once I make it out to a car parts store (so don't berate me too harshly for direct wiring, if you please[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

The load on the ATV engine of a high current drawing device such as a winch is no more than that put on it by the maximum output of the charging system. You can't load the engine any more than the charging system will put out. It's designed for this of course. Running the motor still won't keep up with the draw of a winch but it will help extend the time you are able to winch in one operation before running down the battery. Depending on the amp-hour rating, charge condition, and age of your ATV battery, operating the winch without the machine running will permit you to winch a pretty good distance, most likely enough to get out of whatever predicament you needed the winch for. Running the motor lets you go much further and not cycle the battery as low of course, and running in gear can help the winch do it's job with less strain, if the circumstance permits. If you are winching for a great distance like that you'd best give the winch a rest or two during the procedure. The electric winch motor uses the same principal as a vehicle starter motor and its design doesn't permit extended operation due to the heat generated in the field windings that cannot dissipate anywhere near as fast as it is generated during operation. Just like a starter, long uninterrupted operation can damage it or burn it out.

The potential across the battery (voltage) when the motor is running is around 13.8 volts give or take, and when stopped, 12 volts. The winch will run faster when the bike is running because of this. The slightly slower operating speed when the motor is shut off gives the impression that 'It's dying!', but of course this is just the fact that it is running on 12 volts instead of 13.8. (by the way, it's generating heat more slowly as well)

No need to worry that the ATV engine will overheat as a result of idling at a standstill, not pushing air through the fins. Less heat is seen at the spark plug base when idling at a standstill than when travelling in gear on the level! The bike actually cools down when you stop and idle.

I am not entirely in agreement with the idea of wiring a winch so that the motor must be running for it to work. If you find yourself in a situation where the motor is out of commission for any reason and you must use the power of the winch then you will be helpless. Best not to reduce ones options in the bush. You should have the option of using your brain to make decisions whether to use the stored battery power, not have that choice made for you by a lockout system.
I have a gel cell battery in my quad and it's much higher amp-hour rating and greater forgiveness of deep cycling make it ideal for winch use. Though we hope this doesn't happen, the Odyssey gel battery doesn't care if it is upside down either!

I'm leery of the idea of tapping a cigarette lighter for powering a winch on a quad. Lighters are generally wired with 10 gauge wire and ATV winches are wired with 6 or 8 gauge, much heavier. Too light gauge power wire will get hot when overloaded and will act as a resistor, reducing the power that passes through it. That heat isn't free, it's the power that should go to your winch, and it's being wasted heating up a piece of wire. It could get even more expensive if it causes the insulation to fail, a short circuit to develop, and you have a wiring fire. I'd wire your winch right to the battery, and wire in an ATV winch circuit breaker.

 

nubee,
When winching my cable in, If i'm just gettin unstuck...I reel it in the best I can...Then when I get back home to clean everything up, I wrap a chain around something sturdy (tree,pole,post...etc..), hook the chain together, then hook my cable to to the chain hook... Then I winch in keeping pressure on the line using the brake and turning to wind evenly, I run the cable right to the fairlead, Then I drive forward to release tension on the line and unhook the chain.....There you go, hands free!!! Hope this makes sense!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] And helps!!

 

Glenlivet, thanks so much for the reply - exactly what I was looking for. I ran the winch for a good bit yesterday and as one poster suggested, if I can get the ATV somewhat close to centered on the load I'm pulling, the wire rope will spool in pretty evenly, so that's the key. Hadn't mentioned it before, but my main use for the winch is pulling felled trees and logs up a hill - in fact, that project is the main reason I bought the ATV (sans winch) in the first place. Its good to know that I shouldn't use it continuously lest I burn it out - that gives me a good excuse to give the winch and me ample breaks.
Thanks again to everyone for all the posts - very helpful.