Anybody with Winch knowledge?

[ChevysRus]

I bought a WARN 4700 utility winch to put in my car trailer that I pull with the DMAX to make this a relative subject.

By the way got a great deal on it from E-winch.com.

How are some of you hooking up your winches to the battery? I am going to use a separate battery, but how do you keep this battery charged up? Do you just charge it with a trickle charger and then take off and use it until it runs down or do you somehow connect it to the truck alternator or can you run it off the truck battery?

I will have an adaptor for this so I can mount it in the receiver hitch in case I ever need to pull something with just the truck. Main use is inside the car trailer.

Appreciate any info you might have.

[TooMuchMuscle]

Most trailers that I have had just had a seperate battery on the trailer and charged the battery every so often. Its simple and easy

[ChevysRus]

Thanks TooMuchMuscle!

Wasn't sure if there was another way or not to do this. Some things that work well are best left alone!! LOL :D

Just have to be sure and load the battery charger and extension cord on future trips smile.gif

Thanks for replying

[DmaxMaverick]

The best solution is to wire it into the trailer charge circuit. Most of the wiring is already there. If you are worried about pulling down the truck batteries too much, disconnect the trailer plug before using the winch, and connect it when the truck is running. You could also install an isolator relay to do this automatically.

With this, the battery will charge anytime the trailer is plugged into the truck (truck running). Most trailers that I have seen with a winch, lift gate, hydraulic tilt, etc. are wired like that.

[ChevysRus]

Thanks DMAXMAVERICK, that's what I was looking for as an alternative way to keep the battery charged up. Will check out the wiring and see if I can get this to work easily.

Thanks to all for the help.

[TxDoc]

If you ever do start using in while attached to your trailer hitch, add a snatch block to double your pulling ability.

Warn makes some quick connect/disconnect cables with plugs attached for the multi-mount setups for use in front or rear. I am using my X8000i like this.

http://products.warn.com/warn.nsf/pages/TruckProducts.MountingSystems.Multi-Mount.QuickConnect.html

[Professor]

There are also a few companies that make a wireless remote. I had the chance to use one to load a race car in an enclosed trailer. It was very nice! I think it was a Ramsey

[TxDoc]

Ramsey does make wireless remotes for theirs, and others winches.
http://www.ramsey.com/automotive/wirelessremote.html
Wireless Remote Control

Our new wireless remote works without cables or switches and gets you winching faster. Just press the remote and you're ready to go! Start, stop, in or out. The wireless remote lets you operate your winch from up to 50 ft. away and works on other brand name winches. Even if you don't own a Ramsey Winch, chances are you can still use the new Ramsey Wireless Remote.


Patent pending design
Remote range up to 50 ft.
Transmitter equipped with long life
battery and power saver circuit
Weatherproof transmitter & receiver
Visual indicator light shows remote
operation
Additional transmitters available to
operate receiver
Works on virtually all electric, self-
recovery front mount winches
Installs in minutes
Transmitter replacement battery
readily available

Ramsey Electric front mount winches
Part# 251200


Warn electric front mount winches

Part# 251201


Superwinch electric front mount winches

Part# 251202





WARNING: The Ramsey Wireless Remote is designed for use on front mount self-recovery winches only. The remote is not designed for and should not be used on winches or hoists in industrial applications (commercial car haulers/carriers, wreckers, cranes, etc.) or for any other remote controlled applications.


NorthernTool.com runs them for $149
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/LLCategoryDisplayView?storeId=6970&langId=-1&catalogId=4006970&PHOTOS=on&TEST=Y&productId=200175874&categoryId=0

Even though Ramsey makes one for Warn winches, Warn has this warning on their website:

Dear All WARN ATV, Self-Recovery and Industrial Winch Owners:

It has come to our attention some customers are inquiring about the compatibility of using the currently available Radio/Wireless Remote Control Devices with a WARN Winch.

Here is what you need to know:
IMPORTANT PERFORMANCE NOTICE ABOUT THE
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE RADIO/WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL DEVICES

For WARN Self-Recovery winches, the currently available Radio/Wireless Remote Control devices clearly disable the WARN backup (redundant) winch switching control functions. This is because the Radio/Wireless Remote Control Devices utilizes three (3) control wires while the WARN remote switch utilizes five (5) control wires. The five (5) control wires are critical to proper function.

For all WARN winches (ATV, Self-recovery and Industrial), the currently available Radio/Wireless Remote Control Devices may lengthen the response time between the winch control functions of POWER IN and STOP, POWER OUT and STOP. These Radio/Wireless Remote Control Devices do not meet the WARN standards for operator control of any WARN winch product.

For over 50 years, WARN has been committed to providing dependable, reliable products you can trust. WARN strongly recommends that you DO NOT use the currently available Radio/Wireless Remote Control Devices with any WARN winch product.

If you have any questions, contact the Warn Industries Risk Manager at:
P 503-722-3044; F 503-722-3000; E: wilsonm@warn.com

[Pizza Man]

Run the winch off a designated battery that charges off the truck when plugged into the trailer. You can also run interior lights fans etc off this battery. You will need a connecter block isolator that allows the winch to run off the battery and keep it charged when driving.
You will not need to unplug the trailer from the truck!
Winch safely!